Jongensfontein Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty.

Let’s talk about this run of surf at Jongensfontein. For the next week or so, you’re looking at a real mixed bag, but there’s a couple of clear windows where it’ll be worth paddling out. The water temp is sitting right around average for this time of year at 62°, so nothing unusual there.

We start off with a bit of a dud: Sunday the 12th is a write-off – cross-onshore wind at 30 km/h, lumpy, poor surf. Not worth looking at. Monday the 13th morning, though, that’s where it picks up. Glassy conditions, clean, with a 5 ft ESE swell, period of 8 seconds. Moderate energy (457). It’s not huge, but it’ll be fun, clean, and the reef will handle that direction well. Keep in mind, this spot can get crowded sometimes, so get in early.

Tuesday the 14th morning is also clean – cross-offshore, 4 ft ESE swell, 8 seconds. Again, small but glassy. Wednesday the 15th morning sees a jump in period to 17 seconds from the SW, but the height drops to 2 ft – that’s a long period groundswell but tiny. Energy is moderate (462). It’ll be clean, but you’ll be chasing small waves.

Now, the standout in the first week is Thursday the 16th. That’s the day. Morning and afternoon both score excellent for experienced surfers. Swell is 7 ft early, 6 ft later, from the SW, period 13 seconds – that’s proper groundswell. Energy is strong (1542, 1221). Winds are cross-offshore, clean. This is a reef break, so that long period will work nicely. It’s over 5 ft, so it’s not for beginners, but you’ll get some good ones. Crowds are still a possibility.

Friday the 17th and Saturday the 18th are blown out – cross-onshore winds, choppy, not worth the drive. There’s a bit of a lull in quality through the weekend, though Sunday the 19th morning has a 5 ft E swell, period 9 seconds, with cross-shore wind – marginal, but might give you a couple if you’re desperate.

Then into the second week, things get interesting but also a lot more serious. Monday the 20th morning has a 8 ft WSW swell, clean with cross-offshore wind, but the energy is very strong (1559). That’s expert territory, especially if the tide is right. But from Tuesday the 21st right through to the end of the forecast, the swell just keeps getting bigger – 10 ft, 12 ft, even bigger. The combined energy hits over 5000 in some spots – that’s very strong. The wind is often favourable, but the size is too big for this break. The guidance says it’s predicted to be too big for Jongensfontein. So from around the 22nd of July onward, it’s a real heavy water show. Only experienced chargers with a death wish would go out – and even then, it’s not ideal for this reef. It might actually be more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing on those 12 ft days.

The best on offer is hands-down Thursday the 16th. That’s your window. Get it while it’s clean and not too stupid big.

Rusty.

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