Riet River Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright mate, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s happening at Riet River for the next couple of weeks.

Imperial Units

Alright, let’s be straight up – Riet River is the only game in town across this whole 16-day stretch, and honestly, it’s a bit of a mixed bag. For a point break that gets pretty inconsistent, we’ve got some windows, but you’re going to have to be patient. The first few days are a write-off.

We kick off on Friday the 11th with a small 5ft SW swell, but it’s got a 13-second period. The issue is the wind – a cross-onshore breeze is spoiling it, making things marginal at best. Saturday the 12th is worse: onshore winds strengthen to 19 mph, and the wave quality drops to nothing. Sunday the 13th looks like a complete mess with strong onshores and rain. We’re seeing a combined swell energy of 1457, so there’s power, but it’s all blown out.

We get a small break in the weather on Tuesday the 15th. The morning is the first sign of hope: a cross-offshore wind with a 4ft SW swell. It’s still on the small side, but the wind is clean, giving the waves some shape. The combined energy is 319, so it’s weak, but it’s surfable.

Now, the real standout for the whole forecast is the morning of Saturday the 19th. Glassy conditions. Absolutely calm. A 4ft SW swell with a 13-second period. The combined energy is 464 – not huge, but that clean, glassy surface is going to make it look like a million bucks. This is the pick of the entire period. The swell direction from the SSW is right on the money for this point break. Expect the crowds to be an issue though, as it’s described as “sometimes” busy, and on a perfect morning like this, everyone will be out.

After that, Sunday the 20th morning brings a bigger 8ft SSW groundswell with a glorious 17-second period. That’s a lot of energy – 3360 – and it’s blowing a clean cross-offshore breeze. This one’s a solid call for experienced surfers only; at over 8ft it’s pushing into expert territory. The long period means it’ll be powerful and walled up on the point, with long lulls between sets.

After the 20th, the consistency drops off again. The 21st is onshore and messy. The 22nd has a near-gale blowing, making it impossible to paddle into anything. Wednesday the 23rd has some rain showers and a messy 7ft swell with a crappy 7-second period – total mush. The final chances come on the 24th and 25th, but the winds are either cross-off and clean but tiny, or onshore and blown out. The 24th afternoon has a tiny 3ft swell but a 16-second period – that’s a long wait for a small wave.

So, to cut it short: if you’re a beginner, forget the 20th – that’s too big. But next Saturday morning, the 19th, and Sunday morning, the 20th, are your best bets. Get on it.

Rusty.

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