Number Threes Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what Number Threes has in store over the next couple of weeks. We’ve got a bit of a slow start, so don't rush to wet a line just yet.

The first solid window for a paddle is actually a few days out. Monday the 14th and Tuesday the 15th are pretty weak, with tiny 1ft to 2ft SW swell and short-period junk. The energy is low (135 to 490), and the wind is a moderate cross-off. It’s not really worth suiting up for that. Wednesday the 16th is more of the same, marginal at best with a bump to 3ft but still short-period.

The first real chance at something rideable arrives Thursday the 17th. The swell bumps up to 7ft in the morning from the ENE, but the period is a short 8 seconds. The combined energy is moderate (950), and there’s a solid fresh cross-off breeze. It’s not perfect, but it's the first time the wave face has any push. Thursday afternoon sees the swell drop to 7ft and the energy climbs to 1115 (moderate), still period is short. This is a session for experienced surfers only, because 7ft+ with a short period can be a handful.

Friday the 18th brings a real shift. The morning sees a clean 3ft SSW groundswell with a long 17-second period and moderate energy (1102). The wind is a fresh cross-off, keeping it clean. This is the standout of the first week. That long period means proper shape, longer lulls, and easier paddling out, but it’s going to be fat and straight at a beach break, so it will favour the reef at Number Threes because of the direction. For the advanced crew, this is the pick of the early days.

The weekend from the 19th to the 22nd gets messy. The swell stays in the 6ft to 8ft range, but it’s back to short-period ENE windswell (8-9 seconds). The combined energy sits between 772 and 1000 (moderate). The wind stays cross-off, but it’s fresh to occasionally strong, especially on Monday the 21st. This is marginal at best, and the waves will be bumpy and hard to read. For the kites out there, this setup looks more interesting than paddle surfing.

The middle of the second week, from Wednesday the 23rd through Saturday the 27th, is a mixed bag. Swell drops back a bit, mostly 5ft to 7ft, still ENE. Periods remain short, and energy slowly fades from 941 down to 531. The wind is a persistent moderate to fresh cross-off. It’s clean, but the waves are weak and wind-affected. It's a grind, not a highlight.

The real standout for the whole forecast period is Sunday the 29th. On that Tuesday morning (the 29th), we see a return of a 6ft ENE swell with a short 8-second period, but the combined energy is still moderate (687) and the wind finally backs off to a moderate cross-off. It’s not perfect, but for a late-season session, it’s the best of a messy run.

In the end, Thursday the 17th morning and Tuesday the 29th morning are your best bets for some punch above the average, but Thursday the 18th morning (with that long-period 17s SSW swell and 3ft) is the truest standout for quality wave shape. The water temp anomaly is about average for mid-September, so a 3/2mm fullsuit should be fine.

Rusty signing off.

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