Number Fours Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what Number Fours has in store for us over the next couple of weeks. It’s a bit of a mixed bag, so we need to be patient.

Right now, the pattern is locked into a steady cross-off wind from the ENE, blowing at 18-25 mph, which is clean but not ideal. The water temperature is sitting at 81°, which is about average for this time of year, so no need to dig out the 5/4 just yet.

The first few days are a write-off for any decent surf. Sunday the 23rd and Monday the 24th are poor, with messy, short-period swell around 5 ft to 7 ft from the ENE, period a weak 7 seconds. The combined energy is moderate (around 500-577), but it’s just not coming together. Tuesday the 25th sees a slight bump in size to 7 ft, but again, that 7-second period and cross-off wind make for poor conditions. This continues through to Saturday the 29th – nothing worth paddling out for.

We hit a bit of a lull on Sunday the 30th and Monday the 31st, with tiny waves dropping to 2 ft to 3 ft. The energy is low (372-397) and the period is a bit better on some southerly swells (16 seconds), but it’s just not enough to get excited about.

Now, the first real standout appears on Tuesday, September 1st. We get a glassy, clean morning with a moderate breeze from the NE at 16 mph. The swell is small, only 3 ft, but it’s a long-period groundswell from the SSW at 18 seconds. The combined energy is strong (828), and that long period will wrap nicely into this reef. The water is still warm, and the wind is light. This is a sneaky good morning for a log or a mid-length if you can find the right bank.

The next big moment is on Wednesday, September 2nd. The swell jumps up to 7 ft to 7 ft from the ENE, with a period that’s improved to 8 seconds. The energy is very strong (1267), but the wind is still a fresh cross-off at 22 mph. This is where it gets powerful. At 7 ft, this is getting into expert territory, especially if the wind stays up. It’s still a bit messy, but there’s push.

The real charm, though, is Saturday, September 5th. Morning has a moderate breeze from the ENE at 12 mph, with a solid 7 ft swell from the ENE but a period of 11 seconds. The energy is strong (1197). This is a proper groundswell pulse. The reef at Number Fours should handle this beautifully, with longer, more powerful sets. The wind is still offshore enough to keep it clean. This is the best on offer for the intermediate and above crew.

Then we get to Sunday, September 6th morning. The swell is 8 ft from the ENE, period 11 seconds, and energy is very strong (1707). But the wind is a direct cross-shore from the E at 12 mph, creating a moderate cross-chop. That’s going to make it bumpy and tricky. At 8 ft, this is only for experts, and the chop will make it a handful. The afternoon drops to 2 ft from the SSW, which is a total change.

The real gem of the whole forecast is Monday, September 7th. The morning is glassy – wind from the E at just 3 mph, with a 3 ft SSW groundswell at 16 seconds. The combined energy is moderate (387), but the glassy conditions will make this a dream. The afternoon picks up to 5 ft from the ENE at 9 seconds, still with light wind. This is the best all-round day for everyone who can handle a bit of a wall. That long-period swell on the reef will be super clean.

So, to sum it up: the first week is a write-off. The standout days are the morning of Tuesday, September 1st for the small, clean log session, and the morning of Saturday, September 5th for the punchy, longer-period groundswell. The absolute best is Monday, September 7th – glassy, clean, and with a nice mix of swells. Keep your eyes on that one.

Rusty.

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