Number Fours Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, grab your wettie and come have a look at what’s cookin’ at Number Fours over the next couple of weeks.

Alright, let’s be straight with you – the next few days are gonna be a bit of a grind if you’re chasin’ clean, rippable waves. There’s a bit of energy pushin’ in, but the wind’s been a real bastard, swingin’ from a strong cross-off breeze that’s gonna mess with the face. For Tuesday the 25th of August, we’ve got a 6 ft easterly swell with a short period of just 7 seconds, and the combined swell energy is sittin’ at a moderate 586 – okay, but that wind is just too strong to make it any fun. The water is a balmy 81°, which is bang on average for this time of year, so no drama there.

Wednesday the 26th to Friday the 28th of August sees the swell drop right off, gettin’ down to 2 ft to 4 ft, but the period gets long, hittin’ 18 seconds at one point. That’s groundswell, but it’s comin’ from the south, which is cross-offshore for Number Fours. The combined energy is actually pretty solid in the 500-700 range, but the scores are low. We’re lookin’ at marginal surf at best – it’s not goin’ to be packin’ any punch, and the wind is still a fresh cross-off, so don’t expect any gems.

Now, the weekend of the 29th and 30th of August – Saturday and Sunday – we get a switch. The swell jumps back up to 5 ft to 6 ft, but it’s that short-period easterly windswell again, with periods of just 6-7 seconds. Combine that with a moderate energy of around 500-550, and it’s just sloppy, weak lines. The wind stays cross-off and strong, makin’ it a choppy mess. Honestly, it’s not lookin’ good.

Monday the 31st of August carries that same poor story – 5 ft, short period crap.

But hold tight, because things start to turn around as we hit September. Tuesday the 1st looks a bit better, with the swell climbin’ to 6 ft and a slightly longer 8-second period from the east, and the wind easin’ to a moderate breeze at 16 mph. Combined energy jumps to 794, a solid step up, but it’s still marginal. We’re gettin’ closer.

Then on Wednesday the 2nd of September, the period really lengthens again – 16 seconds from the south – but the swell height is only 3 ft. The wind goes light and cross, and the combined energy is 666. This is tricky: that long-period south swell can wrap in nicely, but at a beach and reef setup, it might be a bit too straight. Still, it’s a glimmer.

Now, skip past the flat days of the 3rd and 4th of September, because the real standout arrives over the weekend of the 5th and 6th of September. Saturday the 5th of September morning, we get a 5 ft swell from the east-northeast with a long 13-second period, and the combined energy hits a strong 1066. By the afternoon, it’s even bigger: 6 ft from the same direction, period still 13 seconds, and energy surging to 1264. The wind is a fresh cross-off at 19 mph, so it’ll be clean, powerful, and have some proper shape. This is the best swell of the whole forecast – a proper groundswell with some grunt. Sunday the 6th of September keeps that momentum, with 6 ft and energy up to 1454. This is the window. Number Fours is a reef break, and with this long-period east-northeast swell, it’s goin’ to line up nicely. Be aware, though, that long-period swell can get a bit straight at beach breaks, but on a reef it’s usually money. It can be a bit heavy for beginners – 6 ft to 6 ft is solid – and crowds are sometimes an issue here. It’ll be worth the paddle.

After that, Monday the 7th of September drops back a touch – 3 ft to 4 ft from the south-southwest with a very long 15-second period, but the wind ramps up to 25 mph. That’s a strong breeze and creates some nasty washing machine conditions. Tuesday the 8th and Wednesday the 9th of September see the wind stay brutal at 22-28 mph, with short period swell again. You’re better off takin’ the kite out than tryin’ to paddle that mess.

So, the call: Saturday the 5th and Sunday the 6th of September is your window. Clean, strong, long-period east-northeast swell, with solid energy. The rest of the run is pretty average until then.

Rusty.

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