Panoramas Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on offer across the next couple of weeks.

Well, I’ll be honest with you, it’s a tough stretch ahead. We’ve got a solid 16-day window, but the first real chance to get a wave in isn’t until Tuesday the 8th of September, and even then, it’s not going to set the world on fire. The pattern is one of very small, inconsistent swell with a lot of afternoon wind ruining things. The water temp is sitting at 71°, which is pretty much bang on average for the time of year, so no need to dig out the thickest rubber just yet.

The standout session, and the only one I’d really bother circling on the calendar, is the Tuesday morning of the 8th at Panoramas. It’s a beach and reef setup, intermediate level, and it breaks fairly consistently. The wind is glassy – dead calm from the NW – so the surface will be like a mirror. We’re looking at a small 2ft swell from the WNW, but here’s the kicker: the period is a solid 12 seconds. That’s proper groundswell, which means it’ll have a bit of punch and shape despite the size. The combined wave energy is moderate (182). It’s nothing huge, but with clean conditions, it’ll be fun on the right board. The wind is offshore for this spot, which is a major positive. Just keep in mind that crowds can pop up here sometimes.

After that, it’s a bit of a grind. Wednesday morning the 9th is glassy again with a 3ft NW swell, but the period drops to 10 seconds, so it’s a bit weaker. The energy is down to 130. It’s surfable, but very ordinary. Thursday morning the 10th is similar – 3ft, glassy, but the period is a short 8 seconds, and the energy is a low 75. That’s weak, and the waves will be pretty mushy.

From Friday the 11th right through to the end of the second week, it’s a real struggle. The swell stays tiny, mostly around 1ft to 2ft, and the wind is a constant problem. Most afternoons turn into a cross-shore or cross-onshore mess, and the morning windows are often plagued by the same. The energy values are mostly in the double digits, which is weak. There are a few mornings with glassy conditions, like the 15th, 17th, 18th, and 19th of September, but the swell is just too small to get excited about. The 22nd of September has a 1ft swell with a 14-second period, but the wind is cross-onshore in the afternoon, so it’s not worth the drive.

To be honest, if you’re not out on Tuesday morning the 8th, you’re probably better off doing something else. The setup is more interesting for a kite surfer than a paddle surfer for most of this period, given the small, poor-quality surf and strong cross-shore winds. The blank runs are long, and the consistency just isn’t there. Forecasts can change, but right now, it’s a waiting game.

Rusty.

Read more