Piha-The Bar Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up at Piha. We’ve got a real mixed bag ahead, so let’s wade through it.

The forecast kicks off with a bit of a damp squib on Sunday, the 23rd of August. There’s a 8ft W swell, but it’s short period at 8 seconds and a fresh NW wind is blowing straight onshore. The combined wave energy is only moderate (905), and the water is sitting at 57°, which is right about average for this time of year. It’s messy, and I wouldn’t bother paddling out.

Monday the 24th sees a big jump in size. A solid 13ft swell from the WSW, with a long 14-second period, rolls in. The combined energy is strong (6896). The wind is SW, but it’s cross-shore, so there’s a chop on it. It’s a marginal call, but the morning is a 5/10 and the afternoon cleans up to a 6/10 with a gentle breeze. This is big, powerful stuff – over 8ft, so strictly for experts only. The long period means the waves will have plenty of energy, but on a beach break like Piha, it might be a bit straight and hard to handle. If you’re good enough, the afternoon is your window.

Tuesday the 25th is a step down in energy but the wind swings cross-onshore, making it choppy and ugly. The scores drop to a 2/10. The rest of the week through to the 30th is largely a write-off. The wind is either onshore or cross-onshore, with speeds picking up to a near gale by Sunday the 30th, blowing 31 mph. The swell is all over the shop, but the conditions are just poor. There’s a gap of several days here with no real recommendation.

Now, the standout window. It’s way out there, over a week away, so keep that in mind. On Thursday the 3rd of September, things get interesting. We’ve got a 13ft W swell, with a 12-second period, and the wind goes light and offshore from the S, turning cross-offshore. The morning is a 6/10, and the afternoon is a 7/10, with clean conditions. The combined energy is strong (5891). This is a true expert-only session again – 13ft is massive. But the offshore wind and clean face will make it a dream for those with the skills and the guts.

Then, on Saturday the 5th of September, we get another cracker. The morning is glassy, with a 7ft WSW swell and a long 15-second period. The combined energy is strong (2500). This one is still big, over 5ft, so it’s not for beginners, but it’s a much more manageable size than the 13ft monsters. The glassy conditions and clean lines will be a treat for experienced surfers. The afternoon picks up to 13ft again, but the wind goes cross-onshore, so stick to the morning if you can.

The best of the entire forecast is that Thursday the 3rd of September afternoon. The combination of a 13ft swell, the long 15-second period, and the clean cross-offshore wind is as good as it gets at Piha. It’s a world-class wave for the experts. The Saturday morning is the pick for the slightly less brave, offering a glassy, powerful swell that’s still serious.

As for the 7th and 8th of September, the wind picks up again and the quality drops right off, so the window is narrow. Make the most of those two sessions.

Rusty.

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