Riet River Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks. The good news is there’s a proper run of solid swell coming, but the wind is going to be the main character for a while, and it’s not always going to be your friend.

Riet River is a point break that’s pretty exposed to the south, and it needs the right direction to work. It’s an inconsistent spot, so when it fires, it’s a treat, but you can’t bank on it every day. The water temp is sitting about average for the time of year, nothing to write home about.

We kick things off on Thursday the 30th of July with a bit of energy. The swell is coming in from the SSW at 5 ft, with a solid 13-second period. The energy reading is 1490 (moderate wave energy), so there's some push. But the wind is a cross-onshore light breeze, so it’s a bit bumpy. Not the best, but it’s a paddle. Thursday afternoon is similar with 5 ft, so don’t expect perfection.

Friday the 31st of July is a write-off. The wind is onshore, gusting to 22 mph on the coast, making a mess out of the 4 ft to 5 ft swell. Saturday the 1st of August is even worse with strong breeze making it messy. Sunday the 2nd sees a weird 7 ft swell from the ESE, which is pretty much straight onshore with a moderate breeze. Not worth it. Monday the 3rd and Tuesday the 4th are small, with marginal conditions and cross-onshore wind.

The first real glimmer of hope shows up on Wednesday the 5th of August in the morning. The wind shifts to the SW, and it’s glassy. That’s a major positive. The swell drops to 3 ft from the SW, with an 11-second period, and energy is 260 (weak wave energy). It’s not big, but it’ll be clean and fun for a longboard. The afternoon picks up to 3 ft with a cleaner cross-offshore wind, so you can definitely make the most of it.

Now, we get serious. Thursday the 6th of August is looking like the standout. The swell builds to 8 ft from the SSW, with a 13-second period. The energy reading is 2207 (strong wave energy), and in the afternoon, the wind is a gentle cross-offshore breeze. The guidance calls it “excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers.” That’s a solid 8 ft, OK for intermediate to expert surfers, but beginners need to sit this one out. The wind will keep it clean, and those long period lines will wrap nicely around the point. This is the day to be out. The morning could be a little punchy with the fresh cross-offshore wind, but the afternoon glass-off is the call.

Friday the 7th is a step back. The swell is still 8 ft to 8 ft, but the wind swings onshore from the NE and ENE, creating lumpy, choppy conditions.

Looking further ahead, Saturday the 8th of August has some clean cross-offshore wind in the morning with 6 ft, but it’s not as clean, and the afternoon gets a gale warning with 40 mph winds.

But hold on to your board because Sunday the 9th of August starts to build again, and then Monday the 10th of August... wow. The morning of the 10th has an enormous 15 ft SSW swell with a 14-second period. The energy reading is a massive 8892 (very strong wave energy). The wind is a light cross-offshore breeze, keeping it clean. This is the true standout of the whole 16-day window. The guidance says “exceptional surf conditions for expert surfers.” That is absolutely massive, too big for anyone but the most experienced crew. It’s a serious, heavy point break wave. The afternoon stays big at 13 ft. If you’re good enough, this is a once-in-a-while session.

After that big pulse, Tuesday the 11th and Wednesday the 12th see the swell dropping and the wind turning onshore again. The surf is still big (12 ft to 5 ft) but messy. There’s another tiny window on Thursday the 13th of August in the morning with glassy conditions and a small 3 ft SSW swell, a nice recovery session. Friday the 14th finishes off the run with a 3 ft SW swell and onshore wind.

Overall, you’ve got a couple of long gaps in the first week where the wind ruins it, but the second week has two absolute barnburners: Thursday the 6th of August afternoon for a clean 8 ft, and Monday the 10th of August for a massive, expert-only 15 ft. Don’t sleep on the small glassy days either; they’re nice for a quiet paddle.

Stay stoked,
Rusty.

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