Rockpiles Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, we’ve got a bit of a slow start. The surf is just not cooperating through Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday – poor conditions and weak, short-period windswell from the ENE. The wave energy is moderate at best, bouncing around 646 to 878 on the energy scale, but the quality is junk. You’re better off staying home or finding something else to do.

Things begin to look a little more interesting on Wednesday the 2nd of September. We get a long-period groundswell from the S with a 16-second period, which is a nice change, but the swell is small – only 3ft to 3ft. The energy is moderate (888), and the wind is cross-off from the ENE at 22 mph, so it’ll be clean. But it’s marginal, and the tide might mess with it. Still, that long period means better shape and more push for the size, so if you’ve got a log, you might find something there.

After that, we hit another rough patch Thursday and Friday – more poor to marginal conditions with stronger winds and lumpy surf. Then on Friday the 4th of September, the swell jumps up to 10ft in the morning and 12ft in the afternoon, but the energy is high (1250 to 1889), and the wind is howling at 28 mph. That’s not good for surfing – too big, too windy, and the period is short at 8 seconds. This setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing, honestly.

The weekend of the 5th and 6th of September brings some hope. Saturday morning has an 8ft swell from the ENE with 9-second period, and the wind goes cross-shore from the E at 19 mph, but there’s a risk of thunderstorms and the surf is lumpy. By afternoon, the wind drops to a gentle breeze from the ESE, and the swell drops to 7ft, making it a bit more manageable. The energy is still strong (1059). It’s marginal, but if you’re keen, it might be worth a paddle.

Sunday the 6th of September is the standout for the first week. We’ve got a 7ft ENE swell with a 12-second period – that’s a nice groundswell. The energy is strong (1355 to 1470), and the wind is cross-off from the ENE at 22 mph, keeping things clean. Rockpiles is a reef break, so that long-period groundswell will wrap in nicely, and with the offshore wind, it’ll be glassy. This is your best bet for the next week – good size, clean, and the swell direction matches the optimum from the SSE beautifully. The water is a warm 81°F, which is about average for this time of year, so no need for a thick suit.

The following week gets a bit wild. Monday the 7th of September has an 8ft to 13ft ENE swell with 12-second period, and the energy is massive (2639 to 4946). The wind is strong from the ENE and NE, so it’s cross-off but blowing hard. That’s expert territory only – too big for most, and the crowd at Rockpiles can be an issue when it’s good. Tuesday the 8th of September brings a 10ft swell in the morning with offshore wind from the N at 25 mph, making it clean but very hard to paddle into. The afternoon sees lighter wind but a cross-on component, so it’s not ideal.

Wednesday the 9th of September through to the end of the forecast is a drop-off. The swell fades from 7ft down to 2ft, and the energy weakens. The long-period SW groundswell on Sunday the 13th of September is tiny (2ft, 16-second period), but it’s clean. Still, not worth the drive.

So, to wrap it up: the best surf on offer is Sunday the 6th of September at Rockpiles. That ENE groundswell with 12-second period, cross-off wind, and 7ft waves will be clean and fun. If you’re an expert, Monday the 7th of September might be worth a look, but it’s big and windy. The rest is marginal or poor. Keep your expectations in check.

Rusty out.

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