Mainside Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into it.

First up, I’ll be straight with you – this is one of those outlooks where you might want to save your energy for something else. Mainside is the only break on the radar for the next 16 days, and it’s a real mixed bag, mostly flat or junk.

The water’s sitting at about 83°F – that’s pretty average for this time of year, nothing wild.

Right now, Monday the 24th, we’ve got tiny 0.7ft ENE swell with a long 11-second period, and a gentle offshore breeze keeping it clean. But honestly, there’s no energy (combined energy of 12), so it’s barely a ripple. Not worth paddling out for.

Tuesday the 25th sees a jump in size, but the wind goes cross-shore and then cross-onshore, messing things up. The afternoon brings a 12ft E swell at 16 seconds – that’s a long-period groundswell, big energy (combined energy of 5733), but the wind is strong and messy, and the quality is poor. This is advanced territory only, and with the onshore wind, it’s likely a washing machine. If you’re a kiter, maybe, but for surfing? Hard pass.

Wednesday the 26th is a write-off. Gale-force winds, 43 mph from the WNW in the morning, and then swinging WSW in the afternoon. The morning shows a 18ft NW swell at 9 seconds – massive but short-period, and the wind is howling. Combined energy is huge at 5746, but it’s completely blown out. Again, not for paddle surfing.

Thursday the 27th and Friday the 28th are clean but tiny, with 1ft to 0.7ft ENE swells. The wind is offshore or clean, but there’s no power to speak of – combined energy in the teens and twenties. You could float around on a foamie, but that’s about it.

The weekend of the 29th and 30th is more of the same: tiny, clean, offshore breezes, but the swell is barely 1ft at best. Combined energy maxes out at 72. It’s a lake out there.

Monday the 31st? Flat. Zero energy.

Now, things start to look a bit more interesting on Tuesday the 1st of September. Morning brings a 10ft E swell at a short 7-second period, combined energy of 777 – moderate energy – but the wind is clean and cross-offshore. The afternoon improves: 13ft E swell, 10-second period, combined energy of 3282, still clean. This is the standout window, but the short period on the morning swell means it’ll be a bit fat and dumpy at this exposed reef. The afternoon has better period, so it could offer some proper waves. Crowds are possible here, and it’s an advanced reef setup – so don’t take it lightly. The swell direction (E) matches the optimum (N) only partially, so it’s not perfect, but it’s the best we’ve got.

After that, Wednesday the 2nd drops right off again – 2ft, no energy. Thursday and Friday are small and windy, with cross-shore winds and lumpy conditions. The rest of the first week of September is a mix of tiny, clean, but powerless swells, or strong offshore winds that make paddling out a mission.

By the second week, from the 5th onwards, it’s still not great. Saturday the 5th has gale-force offshore winds – 40 mph in the morning – and a tiny 1ft E swell. That’s a no-go. Sunday the 6th and Monday the 7th are cleaner but still small, with 3ft to 3ft E swells and moderate combined energy around 100-177. It’s surfable but very ordinary.

Tuesday the 8th is the last call – 3ft to 3ft E swells, gentle breezes, clean conditions. Combined energy is under 100, so it’s weak, but you could get a few grovelly ones if you’re desperate.

Overall, the only real standout is Tuesday the 1st of September afternoon at Mainside. That 13ft E swell at 10 seconds, clean wind, and solid energy is the best on offer. Everything else is either flat, blown out, or too small to bother with. If you’re patient, that one session could be worth it. Otherwise, it’s a long wait.

Rusty.

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