Rolling Stones Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it.

We’ve got a solid run of groundswell on the way for Rolling Stones, but it’s a slow start. The first decent session isn’t until Saturday morning, the 22nd. That’s a bit of a gap, so don’t bother checking it before then.

Saturday, August 22nd, morning is where it kicks off. The swell is a clean 4ft from the south with a 12-second period, and the wind is pure offshore from the northwest at 6 mph. It’s clean, it’s groomed, and it’s your first real chance. The combined energy is moderate (424). That afternoon, the wind goes glassy at just 3 mph, and the swell drops a touch to 4ft, but still from the south. For a Saturday, it’s a damn fine start.

Sunday the 23rd is a downgrade – the swell drops to 2ft, and the wind picks up to 16 mph offshore. It’s rideable but ordinary. By afternoon, the swell is tiny and the wind is messing it up. Not worth the paddle.

Monday the 24th is a mixed bag. The morning is a write-off with cross-shore wind and a short period 5ft swell. The afternoon sees a bigger 6ft south swell roll in with a 13-second period, but the wind is cross-onshore. The energy jumps up (1105), but the surface is a mess. You’ll be fighting wind ripples.

Tuesday the 25th is much better. Morning brings a 4ft south swell with a 12-second period and light cross-offshore wind. The energy is moderate (490). Afternoon is similar, with a 3ft swell and light wind. Clean, consistent lines.

Wednesday the 26th starts with a gem: 3ft of very long-period groundswell from the south – 18 seconds, with light cross-offshore wind. That’s the kind of period that will wrap beautifully into this reef. The energy is still moderate (586). The afternoon slips a bit with some cross-chop from a sea breeze.

Thursday the 27th is a standout. The morning shows 5ft of clean south groundswell at 14 seconds, with light offshore wind. The energy is strong (1228). It’s one of the best-looking windows in the whole run. The afternoon gets bigger, 6ft at 17 seconds, but the wind goes cross-shore, so the morning is the session to lock in.

Friday the 28th keeps the quality going. Morning: 6ft of south swell at 14 seconds, with a solid offshore breeze from the north-northwest at 9 mph. The energy is strong (1167). The afternoon holds at 6ft, with offshore wind still. This is a full day of clean, powerful waves.

Saturday the 29th is a drop-off. Swell backs down to 4ft, wind is offshore but light. It’s surfable, but nothing special.

Then we hit a flat spell from Sunday the 30th through Monday the 31st. Tiny waves, weak energy (under 200), and cross-shore winds. Don’t bother.

Tuesday, September 1st, a new pulse arrives. The morning packs 7ft of south swell at 12 seconds, but the wind is a moderate cross-offshore at 16 mph. The energy is strong (1061), but the surface won’t be perfect. For stronger surfers, it’s worth a look.

Wednesday, September 2nd, is a complete washout. Rain showers, strong cross-shore wind at 22 mph, and lumpy, collapsed waves. Kite surfers might be having a ball, but for a paddle surfer, it’s a hard no.

Now, the big one. Thursday, September 3rd, morning. This is the standout of the entire 16-day window. A massive 12ft south swell, with a 15-second period, and light offshore wind. The combined energy is enormous (4822). This is a serious, powerful, expert-only groundswell. The reef will be handling it, but the size is intimidating. If you’ve got the skills, this is the session. Afternoon drops to 8ft with offshore wind. Still huge, still demanding.

Friday, September 4th, the swell drops to a more manageable 5ft with offshore wind, but the energy is moderate. A good day for the less experienced.

Saturday, September 5th, the run ends with a glassy 3ft south groundswell at 15 seconds. Clean, small, and a nice way to wrap it up.

Water temperature at Rolling Stones is 54°, which is 3° colder than the usual for this time of year. It’s a bit chilly, so you’ll want a thicker wetsuit.

Best on offer: Thursday, August 27th morning for the clean, strong, long-period swell, and Thursday, September 3rd morning for the raw, powerful, expert-level groundswell.

Rusty.

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