Riet River Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s cookin’ at Riet River.

This is a classic setup that likes a solid SSW groundswell, and when it gets that, it can be a thing of beauty. But it’s an inconsistent joint, so you gotta wait for the right moment. The water is sitting at 64°F currently, which is 4°F colder than normal for this time of year – that’s a notable chill, so don’t be shy with the rubber.

The week starts with some small but clean fun. Saturday morning, the 18th of July, is a goer. We’ve got a 4ft S swell with a 12-second period. The energy is moderate (723), and with a light cross-offshore breeze, it’ll be clean. Not a standout, but a good way to get wet. Sunday morning, the 19th, is similar, with a 5ft SSE swell and a bit more energy (832). Still clean.

Then Monday, the 20th of July, is where it starts to get interesting. The swell jumps to 7ft from the WSW, with period dropping to 9 seconds. The energy is getting strong (1906), but that short period means it’ll be a bit sectiony and punchy—good for experienced surfers who want some power. The morning is clean with a light cross-off. That’s a solid session.

Now, the real standout is locked in for Friday, the 24th of July. This is the one you circle on the calendar. The forecast is showing an 12ft SSW groundswell with a very long 16-second period. The energy is massive (5093). The wind is due to go glassy in the morning. That’s the full package: big, clean, and powerful. But hear me now – at 12ft, this is a heavy wave, only for expert surfers. It’s a point break, so it’ll handle that long period better than a beach break, but it’s still going to be a serious session. Saturday, the 25th, will still be pumping with a 10ft SSW swell, but the wind turns cross-onshore, taking the shine off a bit.

The second week gets a bit more hit-and-miss, but there are pockets. Monday, the 27th of July, has a 6ft SSW swell, and the afternoon turns glassy – that’s a clean, fun session for the more experienced crowd. Then Wednesday, the 29th of July, morning brings a 6ft SSW swell with a 14-second period and a cross-offshore breeze. The energy is strong (2329), and it’ll be clean. That’s a solid weekday option.

After that, the wind gets rowdy. The 30th and 31st of July have offshore winds, but they’re strong, making it tough to paddle into. The first of August has a near-gale offshore, which is pretty much unsurfable. By the 2nd of August, the swell drops off and the wind is onshore and choppy. The run dries up.

So, if you’re an expert, the 24th of July is your day. The 27th of July is a great fallback for the more experienced lot. The rest is a matter of picking the clean windows in between.

Rusty.

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