Mainside Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright mate, let’s have a look at what’s on offer. Gotta be honest, it’s a pretty quiet run ahead. We’re looking at a big gap with no real surf to speak of, and even when something pops up, the conditions are gonna keep you on your toes.

From Friday the 21st all the way through Monday the 24th, there’s nothing. Water temp is around 83.5°, pretty normal for the time of year, but that doesn’t help when there’s no swell. Winds are strong offshore over the weekend, but without waves, you’re just staring at a flat ocean. If you’re into kiting, maybe, but for surfing? Nah.

Finally, on Tuesday the 25th, we get a pulse. Swell comes in at 8.2ft from the east with a very long period of 17 seconds. That’s proper groundswell, and the energy is big (4123 combined). Problem is, the wind is cross-shore from the NNE at 12 mph, so it’s not gonna be glassy. There’s a cross-chop building. This is a reef, so that long-period energy could actually work well here, but the surface is gonna be a bit bumpy. Still, for advanced guys who know the reef, Tuesday morning could be worth a look. The afternoon stays similar in size (8.2ft) with a 15-second period, but the wind stays cross-shore. It’s marginal, but it’s the first real swell we’ve seen.

Wednesday the 26th gets bigger but uglier. Swell jumps to 11.5ft to 13.1ft from the north and then NNW, periods around 11-12 seconds. The energy is massive—over 4000 and even 5781 in the afternoon—but the wind goes onshore from the west. That’s gonna turn it into a messy, choppy mess. This is expert-only size, and honestly, the conditions are so poor it’s hard to recommend. Might be more of a kite day than a surf day.

Thursday the 27th drops to around 5.9ft to 6.6ft from the northwest, still with onshore west winds. Energy drops to 565-755. Still choppy. Not your day.

Friday the 28th, we’re looking at 7.2ft to 7.5ft from the WNW and west, periods around 10 seconds. Winds are cross-onshore from the WSW and SW, and it’s lumpy. Still not the day.

Saturday the 29th brings a bit of relief. Swell drops to 3.6ft in the morning from the WNW, period 10 seconds, and the wind swings to a cross-offshore from the SE. That’s a big improvement. Energy is only 230, so it’s weak, but the conditions are clean. By the afternoon, we’ve got 2.6ft from the WNW with offshore ESE winds at 12 mph. The wave comment says “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions,” but with offshore wind and clean faces, that’s the best we’ve seen in a while. It’s small, but it’s rideable. Energy is just 106, so don’t expect power.

Then another dead zone hits. From Sunday the 30th through Tuesday the 1st of September, there’s almost no swell. A tiny 3.0ft pulse shows up on Tuesday afternoon from the east with a 12-second period, but it’s cross-onshore and choppy. Not worth it.

Wednesday the 2nd of September gives us a little more: 2.6ft from the east, period 12 seconds, and the wind goes offshore in the afternoon. Energy is 169, and the wave comment says “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions.” Again, clean and offshore, so if you’re desperate, you might get a few.

Thursday the 3rd has 2.3ft from the east, period 12 seconds, but the wind is a fresh 22 mph cross-offshore. Clean, but that wind is strong. Energy is only 148.

Friday the 4th of September is the closest thing to a standout in the whole forecast. We get 4.9ft from the east with a very long period of 17 seconds. Energy is 1316, so there’s proper power. The wind is cross-offshore from the NE at 22 mph, which is strong but clean. That long period means groundswell, and at a reef like Mainside, that could produce some nice lines. The downside is the strong wind—it’s gonna

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