Johanna Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty, and I’ve got the scoop on the waves ahead for the next couple of weeks. The setup is about to get real serious, with a big pulse of south-west swell pushing in, but you’ll have to pick your moments because the wind is going to be a fickle beast. Let’s break it down.

The first real run of decent surf kicks off on Wednesday afternoon, the 2nd of September. There’s a solid 13ft swell from the west-south-west, with a period of 15 seconds – that’s a proper groundswell with heaps of energy (combined energy of 6660). The wind is a cross-off from the north-west, which will keep things clean, but the water temp is sitting at 58°, which is about 2° warmer than average for this time of year, so it’s a touch on the mild side. This is a big, powerful swell, and for a spot like Johanna – a beach and point exposed to the south – that long period means it’ll be pitching hard. It’s more for the experienced crew, and with crowds often around, expect some company.

Thursday the 3rd is a write-off. That swell jumps to 18ft, but the wind swings west and goes howling, gusting 22 mph, making it a messy cross-on. The energy is massive (13051), but the conditions are poor. Friday the 4th is a different story. The wind drops to a gentle north-north-west cross-off, and the swell is still 16ft to 18ft from the south-west, with a period of 16 seconds. The energy is pumping (12219 to 13422), but the water is clean. This is a serious day for the experienced surfer – the wave faces will be slabs of power. The break is very consistent, so you’ll get plenty of waves, but again, it’s a big, heavy swell.

The weekend goes sideways. Saturday the 5th has strong cross-shore winds at 25 mph, making it choppy and messy. Sunday the 6th drops to 13ft, but the wind is light and cross-on, so it’s a bit bumpy. The energy is still high (5837), but it’s not the best.

Now, here’s the standout. Look at Monday the 14th of September. The swell is 18ft from the south-west, with a period of 16 seconds, and the wind is a dream – light north-north-west cross-off in the morning, turning glassy in the afternoon. The combined energy is 14639, which is strong. This is exceptional for expert surfers, with clean, big lines. The break is very consistent, so you’ll be on it. The water is cool, but the wind is perfect. This is the best on offer.

Tuesday the 15th is still good, with 13ft and light cross-off winds, but the energy drops a bit (6397). The following days see a drop in swell size and quality, with the wind turning onshore again from the 16th, and conditions becoming poor. The long-range window holds some promise, but it’s less certain.

The standout is definitely Monday the 14th and Tuesday the 15th at Johanna. The swell is big, the direction matches the optimum south, and the light cross-off and glassy winds will make it clean. It’s for experts only, though – this is not a beginner’s wave.

Rusty.

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