Lawrencetown Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, it’s Rusty. Well, things are pretty flat to ordinary here at Lawrencetown Reef for the next couple of weeks, with only a handful of sessions really worth paddling out for. The guidance points to a spot that’s fairly consistent, but the numbers show a heap of poor conditions with messy swell. The best windows are narrow, mostly clean but very weak.

The first proper chance comes on Wednesday the 19th of August in the morning. That early session sees 6ft swell from the SSW with a short 8-second period, and combined wave energy sitting at 499 (moderate). Winds are light cross-shore, which will leave it a little rippled but workable. It’s marginal, but the size is okay for a beginner-friendly reef. The wind state is light cross-shore with small crossing wind ripples – so not glassy, but not blown out.

From there it goes downhill quickly. Thursday the 20th and Friday the 21st see tiny waves with little energy – Friday morning has a clean 2ft from the SE with only 70 energy (weak). There’s a nice clean session on Saturday the 22nd morning: offshore wind from the north at 9 mph, with 2ft SE swell, but only 40 energy. That’s weak, but the offshore breeze will make it clean for a beginner cruisy paddle if you’re desperate.

Another gap comes until Tuesday the 25th of August morning: a clean 3ft from the SSW with light north offshore wind at 6 mph. Energy is 105 (weak), but the conditions are clean. Wednesday the 26th morning also offers a clean 4ft from the SSW with light cross-offshore wind NE 9 mph and energy at 253 (moderate). That’s a promising little window – the swell is still short-period at 7 seconds, but it’s clean and rideable.

The tail end of the outlook has one highlight: Wednesday the 2nd of September morning. That session shows 3ft from the S, 6-second period, but the wind is cross-offshore from the ENE at 9 mph and the energy is 201 (moderate). The wave comment says “expect good surf conditions” – and the description is “clean”. That’s the best on offer in the 16-day stretch, but it’s still pretty small. For a reef, that SSE optimum swell direction isn’t quite matched, but it’s close enough.

There are no real standouts for size. The biggest days top out at 5–6ft, but they’re all plagued by onshore or cross-onshore winds and poor surf quality. The consistent lack of quality makes this a tough run. The water temp is running about average for this time of year here at Lawrencetown Reef.

Honestly, if you’re a kitesurfer, the 5ft days Wednesday afternoon the 23rd of August and Saturday afternoon the 29th of August with strong winds might look more appealing. For paddle surfing, keep an eye on Wednesday the 2nd of September morning. Crowds can be a thing here sometimes, but given the ordinary run, you’ll likely have plenty of space. Keep the spirits up – it won’t stay poor forever.

Rusty.

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