Izumi Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a proper look at what’s coming down the line for Izumi.

Right off the bat, we’ve got a bit of a slow start. The first real chance to get wet comes up on Sunday afternoon, the 30th of August. Now, don’t get your hopes up too high, it’s a small one. We’re looking at a 2ft easterly swell with a nice long 11-second period, so there’s a bit of groundswell energy in the water, but it’s weak stuff (combined energy of 119). The water is a touch warmer than normal at 82°, which is a bit of a treat. The wind is a light cross-offshore breeze, which will keep the surface clean. It’s surfable, but it’s very ordinary.

The next morning, Monday the 31st, is a write-off. The wind picks up to a moderate breeze, and while the swell holds at 2ft, the conditions are just poor. Tuesday the 1st of September shows a slight bump in size to 3ft from the ESE, with a period of 12 seconds, giving a moderate wave energy (252). The wind is a cross-off, clean on the morning, but the forecast says it’s marginal. Still, if you’re desperate, you might find a ripple.

From Wednesday the 2nd through to the end of the first week, the wind turns onshore and the quality drops right off. The swell gets a bit bigger, hitting 5ft on Friday afternoon, but it’s a short-period 6-second windswell, choppy and lumpy. The energy is moderate (229), but the conditions are just poor. Not worth paddling out for.

The second week kicks off with a bang, but it’s a dangerous one. On Saturday the 5th of September, the swell jumps to 6ft from the east, with a short period, and the energy is strong (368). By Sunday the 6th, we’re looking at 8ft, and the energy is very strong (1114). The wind is cross-shore and fresh, so it’s going to be lumpy and messy. This is big, raw, and ugly. Definitely not for beginners, and even for the experienced crew, it’s going to be a battle.

The real standout, and the only one I’d get excited about, is Wednesday the 9th of September. But here’s the catch. The swell is predicted to be too big for this break. We’re talking a massive 13ft swell from the SSE with a long 12-second period, producing enormous energy (4843). The wind is cross-offshore, which would make it clean, but at this size, Izumi is simply not safe. This is expert-only territory, and even then, it’s a monster. If you’re a seasoned charger and know the river, this might be your day, but for everyone else, stay on the beach.

Thursday the 10th is similar, with a 15ft swell from the SE and a 13-second period, creating a colossal energy (7546). The wind is a strong cross-off, so it’s clean, but again, it’s way too big. The forecasts say the wind and tide are favorable, but the swell is just too much for the break.

After that, the size drops off quickly but the wind stays brutal. Friday the 11th and Saturday the 12th are blown out with strong offshore winds, making it clean but the swell is messy and the energy is dropping. By Sunday the 13th, the wind eases to a gentle breeze, and we get a 4ft swell from the ENE with a 10-second period, but the energy is moderate (496). The forecast is still marginal. Monday the 14th is a similar story, with a 4ft southerly swell, short period, and light cross-on breezes.

So, the honest truth is, there’s no perfect window here. The best on offer for the average surfer is probably that first Sunday afternoon, the 30th of August, for a tiny, clean, but very ordinary session. The big swell in the second week is a spectacle, but it’s dangerous and not for the faint of heart.

Rusty.

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