Riet River Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Hey, it’s Rusty. Let’s break down what’s happening at Riet River. This forecast is a bit of a mixed bag, but there are a couple of proper windows you’ll want to know about.

Our first chance to paddle out is Saturday afternoon, July 25th. We’ve got a 7ft swell from the SSW, with a 13-second period – that’s a nice, long groundswell, and the wave energy is strong (1597). Don’t go thinking it’s perfect, though. The wind is light and cross-onshore, so the surface will have a few ripples, and the water is running 64°, which is about 4° colder than normal for this time of year – so that’s a cold one. This spot is inconsistent, so it doesn't always show up.

Into Sunday, July 26th, the swell stays around 7ft, but the wind kicks up from the NNE at 9 mph, making it choppy in the morning, and even worse in the afternoon with a 12 mph NE breeze. Monday the 27th is cleaner with cross-offshore wind, but the swell has dropped to 5ft. The energy is moderate (831 to 1388), but it’s not lighting the world on fire.

Tuesday morning, July 28th, brings a big pulse – a 10ft south swell with a very long 15-second period. The energy reading is massive (3522), but it’s coming with rain and a cross-onshore wind, making it choppy and messy. This is expert territory at that size, and the wind isn’t doing it any favors. It’s marginal at best.

From there, things get quiet. The end of July and the first days of August are a write-off. The swell drops to under 2ft, and the wind is howling onshore or cross-onshore from the ENE, often blowing 20 to 31 mph. By August 1st, it’s a total blown-out mess with near-gale winds. This is a lull you’ll want to sit out.

But hold on, because the second week starts looking up. Tuesday morning, August 4th, is clean: a light cross-offshore breeze from the NNW at just 3 mph, and a 4ft SSW swell with a 13-second period. The energy is moderate (437), and it’ll be a tidy, clean session.

The real star of this forecast is building for Saturday, August 8th. Saturday morning sees an 8ft SW groundswell with a light offshore wind from the west. That’s prime – clean, powerful, and perfect for the point. The energy is strong at 1919. For the more experienced, Saturday afternoon pushes up to 10ft SW, with a cross-offshore breeze. That’s excellent for the crew who can handle it, but it’s definitely expert-level stuff. That Saturday is the highlight, but it’s a way off, so keep your fingers crossed.

Also worth a mention: Friday morning, August 7th, with a 4ft SW swell and glassy conditions, with virtually no wind. That’s a super clean, fun session for anyone looking to ease into the weekend.

So, the first week is a bit of a washout with a few average days and some big, messy swell. The second week has a few clean windows, with Tuesday the 4th and Friday the 7th offering fun waves. But the one to mark on the calendar is Saturday, August 8th: a solid SW groundswell with offshore winds. That could be a cracker.

Rusty.

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