Riet River Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it.

First thing you need to know: there’s a stretch of pretty ordinary conditions ahead before we get a window of something decent. The wind is a major issue for the first week or so, and the swell is often messy. Hang tight, because there is a moment that might just make it worthwhile.

The first decent chance doesn’t come until Tuesday morning, September 8th. That’s a full week of waiting. Before that, we’ve got a lot of strong, onshore to cross-onshore wind and lumpy, choppy conditions. We see a solid swell on the 3rd and 4th of September, with a S swell around 10ft, but the wind is howling at 22 mph from the SSE, cross-shore, and the combined energy is a massive 1194 (moderate to strong). The water is a bit colder than usual at 64°, with an anomaly of 3°F below average. It’s a mess. That continues through the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th – strong winds, onshore, and poor surf. The 6th even has a very long period groundswell of 22 seconds from the SSW, but the wind is 19 mph from the east, onshore, so it’s blown out. The energy is huge at 2135 to 3886, but it’s useless for paddle surfing.

Now, the standout. Tuesday morning, September 8th at Riet River. This is your moment. The wind goes glassy, NNE at only 3 mph. Absolutely clean. The swell is a modest 4ft from the SSW, with a nice 13-second period, giving it shape and push. The energy is 530 (moderate). The guidance says the optimum swell direction is SSW, so this is a perfect match. The water is still a bit colder than average. Because this break is a point, that long-period groundswell will actually wrap in nicely. It’s an inconsistent spot, but when it’s on, it’s good. The crowds are possible, so don’t expect to be alone. This is the best on offer by a long shot.

After that, the rest of the outlook is slim pickings. The afternoon of the 8th the wind picks up. The 9th has small, clean but weak waves. The 14th of September (Monday) afternoon shows a jump in size again, with an 8ft SSW swell and a 16-second period, cross-off wind from the SW at 13 mph, and energy at 3204 (strong). The conditions are described as marginal, but it’s clean. That’s your second-best option, but it’s a week and a half away and less certain. The 15th and 18th also have some size, but the wind is fresh to strong, making it tough.

If you’re a beginner, the 4ft on the 8th is fine. Anything over 5ft after that, like the 8ft on the 14th, is for more experienced surfers. That 8ft and over is expert territory.

This is a long-range forecast, so the later windows are promising but less certain. For now, set your sights on that Tuesday morning glass-off.

Rusty.

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