Riviera Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s take a look at what’s shaping up for the next couple of weeks.

Gotta be honest with you – it’s a flat and quiet start. We’ve got a long stretch of weak, messy conditions that aren’t going to get you psyched. The first real chance to get out with some hope won’t come until well into next week, so if you’re chasing waves, you’ve got some waiting to do.

The only break we’ve got info on is Riviera. It’s a beginner-friendly spot that’s very consistent in terms of the bank being there, but the quality of the surf in this window is mostly poor at the start. From Saturday the 22nd through the end of the month, we’re looking at tiny swell around 2 ft to 4 ft, with mostly cross-onshore or onshore breezes. The wind is light, which is good for the surface, but the swell energy is low (192 to 353), and the wave comment just says “poor surf conditions.” Not much to get excited about.

Things start to pick up a little on Wednesday the 26th. The swell lifts to 3 ft from the S, with combined energy climbing to 710, but it’s still just a “marginal” call. The real jump comes on Wednesday afternoon, with a 6 ft S swell at 15 seconds, and energy hitting 1310. That’s a solid groundswell with good period, but the wind is cross-onshore (9 mph) so it’ll be a bit choppy. That size is getting a bit much for beginners, but for a stronger paddler it’s worth a look. The same pattern holds into Thursday morning, with 5 ft SSW swell and light onshore wind.

The one standout in the whole outlook comes right at the end of the window. On Friday the 4th and into Saturday the 5th of September, Riviera starts to fire up. Friday morning shows a 3 ft SSW groundswell at 18 seconds, with wind light and onshore, and combined energy at 1004. That’s a really nice long-period groundswell, perfect for a point or reef, and Riviera can handle that direction (SW optimum). The water temp is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there. The afternoon pushes to 4 ft and energy to 1200. Then Saturday the 5th keeps that energy pumping – 4 ft to 4 ft SSE swell, periods around 16 seconds, and energy climbing to 1430. This is your best bet: cleanish conditions, decent size, proper groundswell energy. Crowds are possible here sometimes, but for this quality, you might have some company.

Before that, the middle of the second week (around the 2nd of September) has a short-period W swell at 4 ft with only 8 seconds – that’s just windswell, not worth getting fired up about.

So to sum it up: the first week is a bust. Then we get a small burst around the 26th, but it’s messy. The real highlight is the final weekend – 4th and 5th of September – with solid, long-period SSW swell and light winds. That’s what you’re waiting for.

Stay patient, keep an eye on that last weekend. It’s a bit far out, but it’s got promise.

- Rusty

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