Riet River Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, it’s Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s on the table for the next couple of weeks. It’s a bit of a wild ride, so strap in.

The action kicks off with a solid blast of groundswell. We’ve got a standout window on Tuesday, September 1st, bright and early. The water temp is a bit colder than normal at 64°, which is already more than a degree off the average, so you’ll want a good spring suit.

Riet River (point) is the spot to be. That Tuesday morning is glassy as can be with light S wind at 3 mph, and a clean 5ft SW swell pushing in with a 12-second period. The water’s going to look like a mirror, the energy is moderate (662), and conditions will be top shelf. The optimum direction is SSW, so that SW swell is working well.

Later that day, Tuesday afternoon, the wind swings SE and crosses on, the swell bumps to 6ft, but it gets a bit more ordinary. Not the pick.

Now, here’s where it gets serious. Wednesday morning, September 2nd, is the real highlight. We’re talking a 8ft SSW groundswell with a pumping 13-second period, and a cross-off wind from the SSW at 6 mph. The wave energy is strong (2369) – you’ll feel that push. This is excellent for experienced surfers. Anything over 8ft is expert territory, so if you’re not confident, sit this one out. The sets will be clean and lined up.

Thursday morning, September 3rd, drops back to a 6ft SSW swell with clean cross-off winds, but the energy is moderate (941). Good, but not the standout.

Then folks, it turns to custard. From Thursday afternoon right through until the end of the first week, and into the second, we are looking at a long dry spell. The wind goes onshore, the swell gets messy, or the period drops off. There is a huge stretch of days with poor to marginal surf. A couple of times the swell gets big, like Sunday afternoon, September 6th, with a 13ft S swell at a 19-second period – that’s a monster groundswell – but the wind is howling onshore at 19 mph, so it’s a washing machine. Kite surfers might have a field day there, but for paddle surfing? No thanks.

There is a tiny flicker on Wednesday morning, September 9th, with a tiny 1ft clean wave, but that’s about it for almost two weeks.

Now, looking way out to the end of the forecast, there’s a promising shift. On Wednesday, September 16th, the wind goes totally glassy in the morning – 0 mph – and then cross-off in the afternoon. A 5ft SSW swell with a 12-second pulse comes through. The energy is moderate (613 and 824). It’s far out, so less certain, but if that glassy morning holds, that will be a beautiful, clean session at Riet River.

So, the standouts are Tuesday morning, September 1st, for the clean and easy fun, and Wednesday morning, September 2nd, for the bigger, more powerful, expert-level waves. Everything else in between is a write-off until that last day.

Rusty.

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