Riet River Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s talk about what’s brewing at Riet River. This is a classic point break, exposed to the southwest swell, and it’s the kind of wave that needs the right key to unlock. It's inconsistent by nature, so when it fires, you gotta be on it. That said, this forecast has a bit of a slow start before it gets truly interesting.

Right out of the gate, the first few days are pretty flat and messy. Tuesday the 7th through Wednesday the 8th are for the optimists only. We’re looking at swell around 5ft to 8ft, mostly from the SW, and the wind is a persistent cross-offshore. It’s rideable, but nothing special – the combined wave energy is only moderate (662 to 1785), and it’s just not locking in. The water temp is a chilly 64°F, which is 4°F colder than usual for this time of year, so you’ll want a thicker suit.

Things start to take a turn for the better on Thursday the 9th. The swell bumps up to a solid 10ft to 12ft from the SSW, with a nice long 12-14 second period. The wind goes fully offshore on Thursday morning, and that afternoon sees a cross-off with a big jump in energy (up to 7008). That Thursday afternoon session is the first real standout. The wave has size and power, but it's getting big.

The real pick of the first week, though, is Friday morning the 10th. We’ve got a clean 12ft SSW swell with a 14-second period, light offshore wind from the WSW, and the energy is pumping at 4432. It’s a point break, so that long-period groundswell will wrap in beautifully. This is for experienced surfers only – the size and power are serious, but the conditions are absolutely pristine. This is the one to circle.

After that, the quality drops off. Saturday the 11th and Sunday the 12th get messy with onshore winds and smaller, choppier waves. Sunday is pretty much a write-off. Heavy rain and wind from the south-east making it a washing machine.

The second week picks up again from Monday the 13th. We get consistent 10ft surf, but the swell direction swings to the ESE and SE, which isn’t ideal for this break’s optimum (SSW). The winds are often onshore or cross-shore, which kills the quality. The energy stays high (1500-1800), but it’s not the clean, groomed wave we saw on Friday.

However, there’s a major standout way out in the forecast for Tuesday the 21st of July. The model is showing a massive 16ft swell from the SSE, with an 11-second period and moderate offshore wind. The combined wave energy is enormous at 5183. This is exceptional, expert-only territory. It’s far out, so don’t book your flight yet, but if that holds, it’s going to be a day to remember at Riet River – huge, powerful, and clean.

So, the bottom line: This week’s Friday morning (the 10th) is your best bet for quality, clean, powerful waves. Next week is very hit-and-miss, but that Tuesday the 21st is a long-range monster that could be all-time. It's a spot that rewards patience.

- Rusty

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