Rolling Stones Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s size up the Rolling Stones, a proper reef break that lives for a south swell. The water is sitting at 54°, which is a couple of degrees cooler than we’d expect for this time of year, so you’ll be wanting a thicker suit.

First few days are a bust. Thursday afternoon the 20th has a messy 6ft south swell, but it’s on a short 8-second period with a cross-on wind. The energy is moderate (868), but the conditions are poor. No good.

Friday morning the 21st is where it’s at. The swell drops to 6ft, but the period jumps to a very long 16 seconds – that’s groundswell. The wind is a light cross-off from the northwest, and it’s clean. The energy is strong (1914). For the experienced surfer, this is as good as it gets in the near term. The afternoon goes cross, so get it in the morning.

Saturday the 22nd is small but clean. Morning has 4ft of south swell, 12-second period, and offshore wind. The energy is moderate (496). Saturday afternoon goes glassy with 4ft waves. Tiny, but perfect.

Sunday the 23rd is fading fast, with 2ft in the morning and 2ft in the arvo. Offshore wind, but barely surfable.

Monday the 24th brings a 7ft SSW pulse, but it’s short period (8 seconds) and cross wind. The energy is moderate (966), but the quality is poor. Monday afternoon has a massive 5ft swell with a 17-second period, but it’s onshore and messy.

Tuesday the 25th morning is a beauty. 6ft of south swell, 12-second period, light cross-off wind. The energy is moderate (879), and the waves are clean and very good. This is the second best call of the first week.

The rest of that week and into the next is small, with swells hanging around 2ft to 3ft. The wind is mostly good, but you’ll be scratching for rideable waves. Energy is weak (158 to 306). A gap of several days with nothing to get excited about.

Now, hold on for Sunday the 30th of August. The swell goes nuclear at 13ft from the south, with a 16-second period. That’s a very long period groundswell, and the energy is massive (7714). The wind is light offshore, so it’s clean. For expert surfers only, this is exceptional. The reef will handle that long period perfectly. Expect crowds to be possible. The afternoon hangs on at 12ft, still huge and clean.

Monday the 31st and Tuesday the 1st of September keep the size going, with 8ft to 10ft swells, 14-16 second periods, and clean conditions. The energy is strong (2208 to 5012). This is the big run, but it’s for the experienced only.

After that, it all goes south. The wind swings onshore, and the swell drops. From Tuesday the 1st of September afternoon through to Thursday the 3rd of September, it’s all cross-on winds and choppy, poor conditions. The energy drops to weak (69 to 295). A few small waves pop up on the 4th of September with a glassy 7ft, but it’s a short period and the wind goes onshore again in the arvo.

So, the real highlights are Friday morning the 21st of August for the clean, long-period groundswell, and the massive, clean, expert-only swell on Sunday the 30th of August and Monday the 31st. Don’t bother with the in-between.

Rusty

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