Rockpiles Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s talk about the surf outlook for Rockpiles over the next 16 days. We kick off on Sunday the 19th of July, and straight up, it’s not looking great. The swell is coming in from the ENE at 4.6 ft, period a short 8 seconds, and it’s a cross-off wind from the ENE at 22 mph. The wave energy is moderate (423), but the conditions are described as poor. There’s nothing to get excited about here – the water temp is 80°F, which is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

Moving into Monday the 20th, it’s still not firing. Morning has rain showers, wind from the ENE at 16 mph, 4.9 ft swell from the ENE with a short 7-second period, and the energy is moderate (609). The surf is marginal, and the tide is questionable. Monday afternoon sees a shift: a tiny 2.6 ft SSW swell with a long 16-second period, but the wind is still cross-off at 19 mph, and the energy is moderate (636). Still not worth paddling out.

Tuesday the 21st is similar: morning has 2.9 ft SSW swell, 14-second period, ENE wind at 16 mph, energy moderate (602). Marginal again. Afternoon is the same story with 2.6 ft, 14-second period, and a fresh breeze. Through Wednesday the 22nd and Thursday the 23rd, the swell stays small, mostly under 3 ft, with periods ranging from 12 to 23 seconds, but the wind is always cross-off and fresh, and the conditions are poor or marginal. The energy builds through Thursday to 960, but it’s not translating into good surf.

Now, Friday the 24th brings a bigger, bumpier swell. Morning sees 8.2 ft from the ENE at a short 7-second period, with ENE wind at 22 mph. That’s over 8 ft – only for experts, and with short period and cross-off wind, it’s messy. The energy is strong (1101). Afternoon is 7.5 ft, still short period, still strong breeze. Saturday the 25th is more of the same: 6.9 ft ENE, 8-second period, cross-off wind, strong energy (1141). Not a standout.

The first real glimmer of hope comes on Sunday the 26th of July. Morning has 4.3 ft from the east with a long 16-second period, clean conditions, and a moderate breeze at 16 mph. The energy is moderate (1367). This is groundswell, and Rockpiles is a reef break, so that long period will shape up nicely. It’s not huge, but it’s clean. For a calm, glassy session, you’d want lighter wind, but this is the best we’ve seen. The east swell direction is close to the optimum SSE, so it’s worth a look. Crowds are possible here – it’s a reef spot that can get busy.

Monday the 27th and Tuesday the 28th keep the trend alive: 5.2 ft to 5.9 ft from the east with periods of 13 to 15 seconds, moderate breeze, clean conditions. The energy is strong (up to 1619 on Sunday afternoon). This is the best run of the outlook – consistent, moderate-sized groundswell, and the reef will handle the long period well. From Wednesday the 29th, the swell drops back to 4.3 ft and 3.6 ft, still east with 11-second periods, but the energy falls to moderate (588). The wind stays cross-off.

Thursday the 30th of July is interesting: morning has a tiny 2.0 ft south swell with a 13-second period, but the wind is light and cross-shore from the east at 3 mph, with slight ripples. The energy is weak (220). Afternoon sees a 2.0 ft SW swell with a very long 18-second period, ENE wind at 6 mph, and the energy is moderate (474). The conditions are described as “good surf conditions” – the first time we’ve seen that. Light wind, glassy, and a long period groundswell on a reef. This is a standout for a small-wave session, but know it’s only 2.0 ft, so it’s for the patient surfer.

The forecast then fades into the last few days of July and into early August. Friday the 31st has 2.6 ft from the SSW and east, moderate energy, but the wind picks up. Saturday the 1st of August is poor again with 2.3 ft from the east and a strong breeze. Sunday the 2nd and Monday the 3rd of August show 3.3 ft to 3.6 ft from the east with 15-second periods, but the wind is still fresh, and the conditions are marginal. The energy is moderate (775-832).

Overall, the best on offer is the period from Sunday the 26th of July through Tuesday the 28th – consistent east groundswell, 4.3 ft to 5.9 ft, periods of 13-16 seconds, clean conditions, and moderate breeze. For a smaller, glassy session, Thursday the 30th of July afternoon is a hidden gem, but it’s tiny. Most of the first

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