Kleinemonde Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s break it down for Kleinemonde (Eastern Cape, South Africa). This spot is a mix of beach and point, exposed to the south and south-west swells, so it’s picky about the direction. Water temp is about average for the time of year, nothing weird.

The first couple of days are a total bust. Thursday morning the 27th of August has a strong cross-onshore wind and a messy 7ft S swell (combined energy high at 1379). That’s unsurfable. Thursday afternoon is the same story. Don’t bother.

Friday morning, the 28th of August, we finally get a chance. The north wind is a light cross-offshore, the swell drops to 4ft from the south with a 12-second period, and the wave comment says “expect very good surf conditions.” The combined energy is moderate at 613. It’s clean, but not a standout, just a decent start. Friday afternoon gets tricky with an onshore wind.

Saturday the 29th is small and clean, but with only 3ft of swell and 295 combined energy, it’s a longboard day. Sunday the 30th brings a bump in size—8ft to 8ft from the SW—but it’s a short-period windswell (7-9 seconds) and the wind is a strong cross-off. Clean, but sloppy.

Monday the 31st is similar, 6ft to 6ft, same SW direction, moderate to fresh cross-off wind. It’s okay, but nothing to write home about.

Now, Tuesday the 1st of September. The morning is glassy. A 5ft SW groundswell (11 seconds) with a slight air, glassy wind. The combined energy is 669. That’s clean, and the wave comment is “expect very good surf conditions.” This is a solid morning for a surf. The afternoon turns onshore, so get out early.

The real standout is Wednesday the 2nd of September. The morning sees a 10ft SSW groundswell with a 13-second period, combined energy of 2598—that’s strong wave energy. The wind is a gentle cross-off from the southwest, and it’s clean. The wave comment says the wind and tide are favorable, but the swell is predicted to be too big for this break. At 10ft, this is expert-only territory. For the experienced crew, that’s a proper session. The afternoon is the same size from the SW, 14-second period, 2805 combined energy, clean with a moderate cross-off. This is the best on offer, but it’s only for the brave.

Thursday the 3rd and Friday the 4th of September are a mess. A severe gale on Thursday with 20ft swell and 8023 combined energy, then a massive 21ft to 23ft SE swell on Friday with combined energy hitting 15036. That’s not surf, that’s a washing machine. The wind is a gale-force onshore. This is kite-surfing territory, if anything.

The following week is a mix of huge, unmanageable swell and then a drop-off. Saturday the 5th and Sunday the 6th are still well over 12ft, with the wave comment repeatedly saying “too big for this break.” Monday the 7th is a ridiculous 21ft ESE swell. All of this is for experts only.

Then it fades. Tuesday the 8th and Wednesday the 9th of September are small, with 3ft to 3ft swell and combined energy under 250. That’s flat. Thursday the 10th brings an 8ft SW swell back, but with a fresh to strong cross-off wind, it’s marginal. The final day, Friday the 11th, is a poor 5ft with a strong cross-off.

So, the pick of the window? Get up for the glassy morning on Tuesday the 1st of September for a clean, fun-size session. And if you’re an expert, you’ll be looking at Wednesday the 2nd of September for that big, clean groundswell. Just be sure you’ve got the right board and the nerve.

Rusty.

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