Riet River Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s on offer for Riet River over the next sixteen days.

First off, the water is running a solid 2° colder than usual for this time of year, so you’re looking at a chilly 63° session if you’re paddling out. This is a point break, exposed to the swell, and it’s inconsistent—it doesn’t fire all the time, so when it does, you pay attention. The best swell direction is from the SSW, and that’s where most of the energy is coming from.

Right now, Monday the 7th is a write-off. Strong cross-onshore winds and a messy 7ft S swell with weak energy means it’s not worth a look. Tuesday the 8th morning is flat and small, and the wind is light cross-on, but it’s only 4ft and marginal. Things stay small and poor through Wednesday and Thursday, with Thursday morning finally showing some clean conditions with a 2ft SW swell and cross-offshore wind, but it’s tiny.

The first real standout doesn’t arrive until the morning of Thursday the 17th of September. The wind is clean cross-offshore from the SW, and the swell jumps to 8ft from the SW, with a short period of 11 seconds—that’s a lot of water moving fast. The energy is strong, but this is big for a point break, and the period is short, so expect it to be a bit sectiony. It’s for experienced surfers only. The afternoon of the 17th is even better: 7ft SSW swell with a longer 14-second period, and the energy is higher. Winds are still clean cross-off. This is the best session of the whole window: consistent, clean, and powerful, just watch the crowds at this spot—they can be a problem.

Friday the 18th is a miss. The morning has an 12ft SSE swell but the wind is cross-shore and lumpy, and the period is short at 10 seconds. It’s messy and big. The afternoon drops to 8ft but stays cross-shore and choppy.

Saturday the 19th morning is a hidden gem. Light cross-offshore wind, a 3ft SSW swell with a 13-second period, and moderate energy. The forecast says “expect very good surf conditions.” It’s small, but clean, and the 13-second period means it will have shape. This is a solid option for a longboard or a funboard.

Sunday the 20th morning is also worth a mention: light cross-offshore wind, 4ft SSW swell with a very long 16-second period, and moderate energy. The longer period means the sets will be spaced out, but it will be clean and lined up. Perfect for a point break.

After that, Monday the 21st and Tuesday the 22nd are a mess. Tuesday the 22nd has a massive 15ft SW swell but onshore gale-force winds—that’s a kite-surfing day, not a paddle day.

So, the two standouts: Thursday the 17th afternoon for the biggest, cleanest, most powerful wave of the period, and Saturday the 19th morning for the sneaky good clean small-wave session. Get on it.

Rusty.

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