Riet River Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here, lookin’ at what we’ve got lined up for the next couple of weeks at Riet River.

The opening of the period is a bit of a mixed bag. We’re starting with a proper dose of power, but the conditions are gonna challenge you. The water right now is a chilly 62°, which is a solid 5° colder than normal for this time of year – that’s very unusual, so you’ll want a good thick wetsuit.

Thursday, August 20th kicks off with a solid pulse of SSW swell at 10ft, with a period of 14 seconds, giving it a massive energy reading (3155). This is a serious groundswell with so much push it’s best left for the experienced crew. The 12 mph WSW cross-off wind is keeping the surface clean, but with this size and the direction lining up perfectly for the point, it’s going to be a heavy, powerful wall. It’s a standout for size and power, but only if you’ve got the nerve.

Friday, August 21st is where the true gold is. By morning, the swell drops to a still-chunky 7ft from the SSW, but the wind turns glassy – 3 mph from the SE. That, my friends, is a serious window of perfection. The energy is still moderate at 1302, and the 12-second period means long, lined-up sets. This is clean, groomed, and easily the best session on offer. If you are an experienced surfer, this is your window.

Saturday, August 22nd is a write-off. A 28 mph WSW wind rips across, making a mess of the 7ft to 10ft swell. It’s a battle, not a surf.

We get a reprieve on Sunday, August 23rd. The swell holds at a solid 8ft from the SSW, and the wind drops to a gentle 9 mph WSW cross-off. The energy is still robust (1192), and the sets will be clean. It’s another day for experienced surfers to get a piece of a powerful point break.

After that, the surf goes into a bit of a slide. Monday, August 24th down to 5ft, and by Tuesday, August 25th we see a jump back up to 8ft, but the wind turns messy onshore in the afternoon, killing the quality.

The second week is a serious gamble. Sunday, August 30th brings a weird spike: a 10ft SE windswell with a short 8-second period. The energy is high (1409), but with that short period and onshore wind, it’s going to be a lumpy, bumpy mess. That combo is much more interesting for a kite session than a paddle out.

The real long-range hope is Wednesday, September 2nd. We see a return of a solid 8ft SSW groundswell with a 13-second period, producing strong energy (2255). But the forecast has a stiff cross-onshore wind, so it’s a distant prospect that needs the wind to change. It’s promising, but not locked in.

Bottom line: The standouts are Friday morning, August 21st, for absolute perfection, and Thursday, August 20th, for heavy, powerful waves for the experienced crew. Don’t hold your breath for the second week.

Rusty.

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