Red Strand (Dirk Bay) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

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

Right off the bat, I gotta be straight with you – this is a tough one. The whole 16-day window is a real struggle. We’re looking at a long, dry spell with hardly any surf to get excited about. For the first ten days, it’s a total write-off with poor conditions and tiny, weak swell. The first real glimmer of anything comes a full ten days out, but it’s fleeting.

The only spot with any kind of pulse is Red Strand (Dirk Bay). It’s a sheltered reef, fairly consistent, but it’s a beginner-friendly wave, so don’t expect any heavy barrels. The water is sitting at 64°, which is a touch warmer than usual for this time of year.

The first day that might get your heart beating a little is Sunday, the 13th of September. The morning shows a little bump of 6ft from the SSW, but here’s the kicker – the period is a weak 6 seconds. That’s short-period wind junk, and it’s coupled with moderate wave energy (234). The wind is glassy, though, which is a major plus. For a beginner-friendly reef, that glassy surface will make it look clean and inviting, even if the waves are a bit sloppy. The 6ft is pushing the limit for beginners, but it won’t be too scary. The afternoon drops off to 3ft, so you’d want to be out there first thing.

After that, Monday the 14th has a clean morning with 3ft from the SSW, but again, short period at 5 seconds and very weak energy (62). It’s another glassy session, but the swell is just too small and weak to get excited about.

The rest of the week is tiny. The 15th and 16th have flat, glassy mornings with 0.7ft to 1.0ft swells. The wind is calm, so it’s a beautiful day to be on the water, but you’ll be bobbing around on a lake. The 17th and 18th bring some longer period energy (12 to 16 seconds), but the swell height is a pathetic 0.3ft. That’s not even a ripple.

Overall, if you’re desperate for a paddle, the Sunday the 13th morning is the clear standout, but it’s not a classic. The rest is a waiting game. For this area, a blank run like this is pretty normal, so don’t lose hope; forecasts can change.

Rusty, signing off.

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