North Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it.

Right off the bat, this window is a battle. North Beach is a beach/pier setup that’s exposed to the swell, and it’s going to be a real mixed bag. We’ve got a few moments where it cleans up, but for the most part, the wind is going to be the enemy. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so nothing weird there.

The first real glimmer of hope comes on Wednesday afternoon, the 2nd of September. The swell drops to 2ft from the SSW, but look at that period – 16 seconds. That’s some proper groundswell energy pushing in, and with a gentle cross-offshore breeze, it’s going to be clean. Wave energy is moderate (439). Don’t expect big walls, but for a long-period runner, the shape should be there.

Friday morning, the 4th of September, is a bit of a tease. We’ve got 7ft from the SSE with a fresh cross-offshore wind, keeping it clean. The energy is moderate (757). It’s a decent option, but it’s rated as marginal, so be ready for some tide issues.

The standout, and I mean the real standout, is Saturday the 5th of September. Saturday morning is the pick. We’ve got 8ft from the SE with a 9-second period, and a gentle cross-offshore breeze from the SW making it glassy clean. The combined energy is strong (1253). This is “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers” territory. It’s a big swell, over 8ft, so this is strictly for the crew who know what they’re doing. Saturday afternoon is still good with 8ft and cleaner air, but the morning is the call.

After that, it gets hairy. Sunday the 6th has a 21-second period swell in the afternoon, but it’s a 3ft wave with a strong cross-offshore wind. That is a long, long period, and at a beach break, those waves are going to want to stand up and close out. It’s one for the reefs or points, not a beach.

The rest of the first week and into the second week is a write-off. From Monday the 7th through to Wednesday the 16th, it’s a wall of poor conditions. The wind is almost always onshore or cross-onshore, and the swell is either too small or blowing out. There’s a lot of ENE wind, and the swell direction is often from the ENE, which is the optimum direction for the break, but the wind just ruins it. The energy levels bounce around, but the quality is shot.

The only other flicker is on Monday the 14th of September, with a 8ft swell from the ENE, but a moderate cross-shore wind and a marginal call means it’s a gamble. By Tuesday the 15th, we’re back to 10ft of messy, onshore slop, and that’s only for the brave, or the crazy.

So, to sum it up: the best on offer is Saturday morning, September 5th. That’s the one. The swell is big, the wind is clean, and the energy is pumping. Get on it if you’re an expert. The rest of the window is mostly a waiting game. It’s a long stretch of doldrums from the 7th onwards, so don’t hold your breath.

Rusty.

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