Riet River Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, mate, Rusty here. Let’s have a proper look at what’s on the cards for Riet River. It’s a point break, exposed to the SSW swell, and it’s inconsistent, so when it’s on, it’s a treat—but you might be waiting.

The water is sitting at 64°F, which is 4°F colder than normal for this time of year, so a 4/3 wetsuit is the go for this session.

The week starts off a bit flat and mushy. Tuesday the 7th (afternoon) has a 6ft SW swell at 12 seconds, with a combined swell energy of 893 (moderate). The wind is cross-off, so it’s clean, but the forecast reckons it’s marginal, and the tide’s gonna be a pain. Not a standout. Wednesday the 8th looks similar, with 6ft SW swell in the morning and a better 6ft SSW in the afternoon, but those winds from the WSW pick up to a stiff 22 mph in the afternoon, which will put a bit of chop on it. Not the call.

Now, Thursday the 9th morning is where it gets interesting. We’ve got a solid 10ft SW groundswell (period 12 seconds), with a huge combined energy reading of 5515 (strong to very strong). The wind is offshore from the WSW at 16 mph, so the face will be clean. This is big, powerful surf—over 8ft, so it’s strictly for the experts. If you’ve got the skills, this is the best session of the week by a long way.

Friday the 10th morning keeps the energy going: 12ft SSW swell, 14-second period, giving a monstrous 4126 combined energy. Wind is offshore again from the WSW at 12 mph, and it’s still only for the experienced crew. The water will be a battlefield, but if you’re in the right spot on the point, you’ll get some absolute bombs.

Saturday the 11th turns ugly. Onshore winds from the ESE (12 to 16 mph) smash the swell—8ft dropping to 8ft, but the wind is on, so it’s blown-out and messy. Sunday the 12th is worse: risk of t-storms, onshore wind from the ENE up to 22 mph, and the swell drops to 5ft with a short 11-second period. That’s a kite-surfing day, not a paddle day.

Monday the 13th morning is a bit of a surprise. The wind swings clean offshore from the W at just 6 mph, with a 8ft ESE swell at a short 8-second period. The period is quick, so the waves will be steeper and punchier, but the energy is solid (1202). It’s still big for beginners, but for intermediates, it’s a fun, clean session if you can handle the short-interval dumpers.

After Monday, the window closes fast. From Tuesday the 14th all the way through to Wednesday the 22nd, it’s a long, quiet stretch. Most days show small swell (under 5ft) with weak combined energy (under 1000) and either onshore, cross-on, or howling offshore winds (up to 34 mph on the 16th). There are a few moments of clean surf, but the swell is too small or the wind is too strong to paddle into. For example, Thursday the 16th morning has a 2ft swell with a near-gale offshore 34 mph wind—that’s not surfable. The Friday the 17th is the same story: 28 to 31 mph offshore winds. Even if the swell builds again on Wednesday the 22nd (8ft WSW), the onshore wind from the ENE spoils it.

So, if you want the standout, Thursday morning the 9th is the one. Big, powerful, clean, expert-only. Friday the 10th morning is the backup. After that, it’s a two-week flat spell with howling winds.

Stay sharp, and don’t paddle out on those gnarly afternoons unless you’re on a kite.

Rusty.

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