Noorderstrand Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s have a look at what’s on the table for Noorderstrand over the next couple of weeks.

Honestly, mate, it’s a pretty bleak picture to start. The whole 16-day window is a real struggle. There’s no surf worth paddling out for right from the get-go, with the first recommendation only appearing down the line. For the first five days, from Tuesday 1st September through to Saturday 5th, we’ve got virtually nothing rideable. The wind is howling onshore or cross-onshore, and the tiny, short-period leftovers are just getting chopped to pieces – combined swell energy is often barely breaking 60, and even when we see a bump to 375 on the Friday morning, it’s a messy, 7ft cross-onshore disaster. That’s not surf; that’s a washing machine.

A glimmer of hope appears on Sunday 6th September. The morning has a tiny 2ft groundswell from the NNW with a 8-second period, and a gentle offshore breeze from the SSW cleans it right up. Combined energy is still low at 55, but it’s surfable. The water temperature is 69°, which is a solid 4° warmer than usual for this time of year, so the water feels unusually warm. That small window is short-lived, though, and we slip back into nothing for another few days.

The next decent look comes late on Wednesday 9th September, and into Thursday 10th. Wednesday afternoon brings a 7ft swell from the W at 6 seconds – combined energy hits 413, so there’s real push, but the cross-shore wind is messy. Thursday 10th morning shapes up better: a 5ft NW swell with an 8-second period and a solid cross-offshore breeze from the SW. The combined energy is 304, making it the most substantial swell of the period, and the wind should keep it clean. This is the standout – the only real window for a decent paddle. But at 5ft, it’s getting a bit punchy for beginners.

Beyond that, from Friday 11th right through to Wednesday 16th, we’re back to barely a ripple. The swell drops to a fraction of a foot, period tanks, and the wind is all over the shop. A few mornings have clean-looking conditions from an offshore direction, but there’s simply no wave energy to work with – combined energy barely scrapes into double figures.

So, if you’re keen, the only spot to focus on is Thursday 10th September. Set the alarm for the morning session at Noorderstrand. It won’t be perfect, but it’s the only real chance for a wave. The rest of the fortnight is a write-off.

Rusty.

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