Riviera Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, fellow wave hunters, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the menu for the next couple of weeks. It’s a bit of a slow start, but there’s a serious pulse of energy building out there if you're patient.

We’re looking at Riviera. It’s a beginner-friendly spot, exposed to the swell, and it's very consistent, so it’ll always have something rolling through. Right now, the water temp is about average for this time of year, so no need for a thick wetsuit just yet.

The first week is a bit of a grind. From Friday the 14th right through to the end of the following week, we’re stuck with small, weak swell. The waves are hanging around the 2 ft to 4 ft mark, with a long period groundswell from the SSW, but the wind is a problem. It’s coming from the WSW and W, blowing cross-onshore, making it choppy and messy. The combined energy is moderate, hitting the 500-700 range, but the scores are low. It’s not great for paddle surfing. The best you can do is a small wave session on a longboard when the wind is light, but honestly, the setup with that cross-shore breeze looks more interesting for a kite surfer than for us. There’s a solid run of days from the 17th to the 21st where the wind turns light onshore, but the swell is too small to get excited about, with the combined energy dropping to the 300-400 range. The 22nd and 23rd see a brief uptick in period, with a 19-second SSW swell, but the height is only 1 ft to 2 ft, so it’s just a tease.

But hold onto your board, because the real news is at the end of the run. Starting Thursday the 27th, things get interesting. The swell picks up to 6 ft from the south, with a period of 14 seconds, and the combined energy kicks into strong territory at 1367. That’s a big jump. By Friday the 28th, we’re looking at a solid 8 ft SSW swell with a 14-second period, and the energy is a massive 2279. This is a powerful, long-period groundswell. For a beach break like Riviera, that long period might make it a bit walled-up and straight, but the quality is still there. The standout moment? Friday afternoon. The wind completely drops to glassy, calm conditions. The swell is a solid 7 ft from the SSW, and the energy is still very strong at 1752. This is the one to wait for. It’s an excellent window for experienced surfers. The swell is over 8 ft, so it’s not for the faint-hearted, but if you’ve got the skills, that’s the session to score. The Saturday after that will still have some good 6 ft leftovers, but the wind will be picking up again.

So, to wrap it up: the first week and a half is a write-off for proper surfing. The only true standout is the afternoon of Friday the 28th of August. Mark it on the calendar. It’s a long way out, so keep an eye on the forecasts, but if it holds, it’ll be the best waves we’ve seen in a while.

Rusty, signing off.

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