Piha-The Bar Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it for Piha.

Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you – the next couple of days are a write-off. There’s a gap right through Thursday and into Friday morning with nothing worth paddling out for. The first real chance to get wet doesn’t come until Saturday afternoon, 29th of August.

So, your best bet this week is the late session on Saturday afternoon. The swell is a modest 3ft from the WSW, but the wind is from the SE at 10 km/h and it’s glassy offshore. That’s going to clean up the Piha sandbanks beautifully. It’s not a big day, but for a clean, playful wave when the wind is right, you can’t beat it. The water temp is sitting at 57°, which is pretty much normal for this time of year, so you’ll want a decent wetsuit. Keep in mind this spot can get a few people on it, but with the conditions looking that good, it’s worth the paddle.

Sunday the 30th is a non-starter. The wind is howling out of the WSW at 30-35 km/h, whipping up a lumpy mess. The swell jumps to 8ft to 10ft, but with a short period of 7-8 seconds, it’s just a fat, bumpy wall. That’s more of a kite-surfing setup than a surfer’s wave.

Now, Monday the 31st gets interesting, but it’s for the experienced crew only. We’ve got a solid 15ft SW groundswell pumping in with a 13-14 second period. The combined energy is massive (6740-8713). The wind is strong cross-shore from the SW, which will keep it lumpy, and the size is way too big for beginners. If you’re an expert and know Piha’s rip, it could be a session, but it’s a grunty one.

The first week of September is a washout. Tuesday through to Friday the 5th is all strong cross-onshore winds, lumpy, and messy. The swell stays big, but the quality is just not there.

Looking way out, there’s a glimmer on Saturday the 5th of September. The morning shows a 12ft W swell with a 15-second period, and the wind from the WSW is moderate. The combined energy is high (7969). It’s still a bit choppy, but it’s the best looking day in the second week. A bit of a gamble, but the long period groundswell has potential.

The real monster comes mid-month. On the 9th and 10th of September, we’re talking 20ft to 23ft swells from the WSW with a very long 16-second period. The combined energy goes through the roof (24,000-25,000). This is pure, raw power. It’s way too big for any normal surfer, and the winds are strong and messy. This is a day to watch from the cliff, not the water.

Stay safe, and keep your eyes on the horizon.

Rusty.

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