Riet River Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty, and I’m calling it from the banks of Riet River. This is a classic point break setup, and it’s exposed to the swell, so it’s built to handle the pulses that are coming. The water temp is sitting at 61°, which is about 6° colder than usual for this time of year – that’s a serious anomaly, so don’t forget a thick suit or a hood. The season is telling you to be prepared for a proper winter bite.

We’re looking at a quiet start. Tuesday the 4th is a write-off. The swell is only around 3 ft with a weak combined energy of just 282, and it’s cross-shore, so you’re better off staying home. Wednesday the 5th morning is the first real tease. The swell drops to 3 ft, but the wind goes light and cross-off, with a clean surface. The combined energy is still weak at 263, but it’s a small, clean window if you’re on a longboard.

Thursday the 6th is where things start to build. The morning sees 5 ft from the SSW with a 14-second period, and the combined energy jumps to 921. That’s moderate and meaningful. The wind is cross-off, so the face will be clean. Then Thursday afternoon, the swell pushes to 8 ft, the energy hits 2422, and it’s still clean. This is getting solid.

Friday the 7th morning is the best real standout of the first week. The swell is 6 ft from the SSW, period 12 seconds, combined energy 1005. The wind is offshore at 25 km/h. That’s the magic combo – clean, hollow, proper offshore lines. This is for experienced surfers, and it’s going to be a session to remember. The water is still cold, so come prepared.

Saturday the 8th holds 7 ft swell from the SSW, but the wind is cross-on in the morning from the NNE, so it’s going to be a bit lumpy. Saturday afternoon the wind swings to the east and goes onshore, which is a bit messy. The energy is still high at 1422, but it’s not worth the paddle if the wind is on it.

Sunday the 9th morning brings a fresh offshore from the WSW at 30 km/h, with a 8 ft swell from the SSW and a 14-second period. Combined energy is 2041. That is a solid groundswell, and it’s going to be big and powerful. This is expert territory. The afternoon gets a strong cross-off breeze, so it’s still clean, but it’s a big one.

Then we hit a wall. Monday the 10th is a mess. The swell jumps to 18 ft, the wind is howling from the south, and the combined energy is 6825. This is not for paddle surfing – this is kite territory if you’re into that. The conditions are poor, and the surface is messy. Tuesday the 11th is still big and onshore, with 13 ft swell and 3860 energy. Wednesday the 12th morning is a 20 ft swell with 9536 energy, but it’s cross-on and lumpy. This whole stretch from the 10th to the 13th is a write-off for a normal surfer.

Thursday the 13th drops to 5 ft from the SSW, but the wind is still cross-on and fresh, so it’s lumpy. The energy is 1595, but the surface is rough. Friday the 14th is similar, small and cross-on. Friday the 14th is a 4 ft swell with 482 energy, but it’s messy.

Saturday the 15th is a small clean-up with light wind, but the swell is only 3 ft and the energy is 347. It’s marginal.

The next standout window is Sunday the 16th morning. The wind goes glassy, the swell is 3 ft from the SW, and the combined energy is only 207. That’s tiny, but it’s glassy. Great for a longboard or a foiler.

The real standout in the second week is Monday the 17th afternoon. The wind goes glassy, the swell comes up to 7 ft from the SW with a 11-second period, and the combined energy hits 990. That’s a solid, clean pulse. The glassy conditions and a 7 ft swell at a point break are a dream. This is the best option in the second week, though it’s a while out, so keep an eye on it.

Tuesday the 18th is then a clean but windy day with a strong cross-off and 7 ft swell, but the wind is fresh, so it’s going to be a bumpy ride.

After that, from the 19th, it’s back to small, cross-on, and poor conditions. The window closes.

So, if you’re picking a session, Friday the 7th morning is the one. The offshore wind, the 6 ft SSW swell, and the clean lines at Riet River are about as good as it gets. For the second week, save your energy for Monday the 17th afternoon – that glassy, 7 ft pulse is a real promise.

Stay warm, and read the tide.

Rusty

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