Pitstops Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right then, let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for Pitstops over the next couple of weeks. It’s a bit of a slow burner at first, but there’s a real gem waiting for us if we’re patient.

The first few days are pretty ordinary. Thursday the 16th is a write-off with that stormy cross-onshore wind and only 3ft of SSW swell – just messy. Friday the 17th is a bit better, with the same 3ft SSW swell but cleaner cross-off winds, so it’s surfable but nothing to get too excited about. Saturday morning the 18th is the best of the early days, with a glassy 3ft SSW swell, but it’s only a small window before the wind swings onshore in the afternoon. Sunday the 19th is a total loss with strong onshore winds and dropping swell.

There’s a gap of a couple of days with nothing really worth chasing until Monday the 20th. The swell picks up to 4-5ft from the S with a long 17-second period, and the energy is solid (1206). But the cross-onshore wind on Monday morning and full onshore later in the day means it’ll be choppy and blown out. Tuesday the 21st is where it starts to get interesting. We’ve got a 4ft S swell with a 14-second period, and the wind is offshore in the morning. That’s a clean, fun session, with good energy (763). The morning looks the pick of the week.

The middle of the week, from Wednesday the 22nd to Saturday the 25th, is a mixed bag. The swell sits around 4-6ft from the SSE, but the wind is mostly cross-off or strong, keeping it from being truly clean. The energy is moderate to strong (up to 1170 on the 24th), but the period drops to 8-10 seconds, making it a bit weaker and less organised. It’s surfable, but not the standout.

Now, the real talk. The standout window is the very end of the outlook. Thursday the 30th of July afternoon is a beauty. The swell is a small 2-3ft from the SSW, but the period is a massive 24 seconds – that’s a proper long-period groundswell. The energy is strong (1176), and the wind is glassy. This is a reef break, so that long period will wrap in perfectly, giving you long, clean walls. It’s a rare, clean day.

But the absolute best on offer is Friday the 31st of July. The morning is glassy with a 4ft SSW swell and a 21-second period, and the energy is massive (1841). The afternoon is even better, with 4ft SSW swell and a 20-second period, energy at 1892. The wind is glassy or near-calm all day. This is excellent, expert-level surf. The water temperature is 86° with a slight positive anomaly, so it’s a touch warmer than usual for this time of year.

Pitstops is a consistent reef, but crowds are often here, so for that Friday, get there early. That 31st of July is the one to circle. The swell is perfect for the break, the wind is flawless, and the energy is pumping. It’s a long-range call, so it’s a bit less certain, but the signs are golden.

Rusty.

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