Putsborough Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a proper look at what Putsborough’s got cookin’ over the next couple of weeks.

Overall, it’s a bit of a frustrating stretch, if I’m honest. There’s a fair bit of swell rolling through, especially mid-period, but the wind just won’t play nice for most of it. We’ve got a run of messy, cross-onshore conditions that’ll have the surface all lumpy and choppy. Strong breeze and moderate to fresh cross-offshore winds aren't helping either. The water temp is running 65°F – that’s 5°F above the norm for this time of year, so it feels unusually warm for September. But don’t get too excited; the surf quality takes a hit.

We kick off with a pretty grim outlook. From Tuesday the 15th right through to Friday the 18th, it’s a write-off. Swell is there, around 5ft to 7ft from the west, but it’s short-period (7 seconds), and those 19 mph cross-onshore winds are just killing it. Putsborough is fairly exposed to the west-northwest, but with that wind direction, it’s all cross-on and lumpy. The combined energy hits 494 on Wednesday the 16th (moderate), but it’s a waste – no quality. If you’re a kite surfer, the setup might get you out there, but for a paddle surfer? Forget it.

Saturday the 19th is more of the same – 6ft west swell, but short-period and cross-shore winds. Another day to sleep in.

Then, a glimmer. Sunday the 20th. The morning is the only real stand-out in this whole forecast. We’ve got glassy conditions – wind is a mere 3 mph from the southwest – and the swell drops to a clean 4ft from the west with a nice 10-second period. The combined energy is 224 (moderate), and for Putsborough as a beginner-friendly, fairly consistent beach break, this is the moment. It’s the best on offer. The swell matches the optimum direction (WNW) just about. Keep in mind, though, it’s a beach break, so with that longer 10-second period, it might be a little straighter than you’d like.

After that, it goes flat and ordinary. From Monday the 21st to Wednesday the 23rd, we get tiny swell – 2ft to 3ft – with light but unhelpful winds. The combined energy drops to just 42 (weak), and that’s not worth paddling out for. On the 23rd afternoon, a gentle offshore wind from the southeast meets a 2ft west swell with a 12-second period (long-period), giving clean but tiny conditions. The energy is weak at 111.

The second week is a slow fade. From the 24th to the 30th, it’s mostly small, weak, and messy. The swell lingers around 1ft to 4ft, but the wind is all over the shop – fresh cross-onshore, strong breezes, even a near gale on the 29th with 31 mph winds. On the 27th morning, we get another glassy window with 3ft from the west, 10 seconds, and a combined energy of 182 (moderate). It’s surfable but very ordinary. That’s it.

So, to sum up: Sunday 20th morning is your only real window for a clean, glassy session at Putsborough. After that, it’s a long, quiet gap. Forecasts can always change, but right now, it’s a waiting game.

Rusty.

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