Ohara Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Hey folks, it’s Rusty. We’ve got a bit of a mixed bag coming up here at Ohara over the next 16 days. The start is pretty grim, but there’s a taste of something special later on if you’re patient.

The first few days are a write-off. Monday the 31st of August through to Tuesday the 1st of September, the wind is howling cross-on from the NNE and NE at 12 mph, and the swell is weak and messy – wave energy is only 174 to 315 (that’s weak to moderate). It’s choppy and ugly, so don’t bother.

Wednesday the 2nd of September shows a glimmer. The wind swings southerly, going offshore at 3 mph in the morning, then 9 mph in the afternoon. Swell is a tiny 3 ft to 3 ft from the ESE with a period of 10 seconds. The energy is moderate (164-194). It’s clean, but the waves are ordinary – small and weak. Not a standout, but it’s surfable.

Thursday the 3rd of September picks up a little. The morning is a bit messy with a cross-offshore SW wind at 12 mph and a 4 ft SSE swell, but the period is a short, crumbly 6 seconds. The afternoon gets better: SSW wind at 16 mph offshore, 4 ft from the SE, still a short 6-second period. Energy is moderate (202-204). The afternoon is clean and the best of a poor run so far.

Friday the 4th and Saturday the 5th of September are a total mess again. The wind is fresh and cross-on from the NE at 22 mph, the swell jumps up to 8 ft on Saturday, but it’s lumpy, choppy, and the energy is strong (636). Not for paddling – this is more kite-surfing territory.

Sunday the 6th of September is still poor with cross-on wind.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Monday the 7th of September morning is still marginal with a 7 ft ESE swell and onshore wind, but the afternoon is a true standout. The wind drops to glassy – ENE at 3 mph. The swell holds at 7 ft from the ESE, period 9 seconds, and the energy is strong (842). The report says “expect very good surf conditions.” This is the best on offer in the early part of the run. The water temperature is about average for the time of year, so no surprises there.

Tuesday the 8th and Wednesday the 9th of September are ruined by strong cross-on winds again, despite some solid swell energy (up to 1166). The wind is just too strong.

Thursday the 10th and Friday the 11th of September see a massive jump in energy – 1512 and 1135 – with a 6 ft to 7 ft SSE swell, but the wind is a strong breeze or near gale. The Friday afternoon wind is 31 mph offshore, which is near gale force – very hard to paddle into. Not for the average surfer.

Saturday the 12th of September morning: the swell hits 10 ft from the SSE, period 9 seconds, and the energy is huge (1875). The wind is clean cross-offshore, but the report says it’s too big for this break. This is only for experts, and even then, it’s a beast.

The real standout is Sunday the 13th and Monday the 14th of September. Sunday morning: 5 ft SSE swell, SSW offshore wind at 12 mph, period 9 seconds, energy 659 – expect very good surf conditions. Sunday afternoon: 5 ft SSE, gentle offshore southerly at 9 mph, clean. Monday the 14th morning: 6 ft SE swell, light cross-offshore SSE wind at 6 mph, clean. Monday afternoon is the absolute gem: 8 ft SE swell, light cross-offshore wind at 6 mph, period 9 seconds, energy 1383 – the report says “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” This is the top of the run. The 8 ft is solid, so it’s for confident intermediates and above, but the conditions are pristine.

Tuesday the 15th of September is a massive 16 ft SSE swell with 13-second period, but the wind is cross-on from the NE at 12 mph, making it choppy and dangerous. Avoid.

Ohara is an inconsistent spot, so when it fires, it’s a treat. The crowds are “sometimes” here, so you might get a few others, but the quality on Sunday the 13th and Monday the 14th will be worth it. The optimum swell direction is SE, and that’s exactly what we’ve got for those days.

Take it easy, and I’ll see you in the water.

Rusty

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