Rosa Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s on the table for the Rosa area.

We’ve got a real mixed bag coming up, with a solid pulse of Southern Ocean groundswell kicking things off this weekend, but also some wild ups and downs in the wind and size. The standout of the whole run looks like Sunday morning (23 August) and then a bit of a beast on Monday morning (24 August), though that one’s for experienced surfers only.

Right now, the water temp is sitting at 67°F, which is basically average for this time of year, so no need to dig out the thickest wetsuit.

Saturday (22 August) starts off with a clean 8ft swell from the S, period at 10 seconds. The combined energy is moderate to strong (1088). The morning has a cross-off wind, so it’s rideable, but the forecast suggests it’s a bit marginal with tide concerns. The afternoon turns more cross-shore and the quality drops.

Sunday (23 August) is where things get interesting. The morning is a beauty: 7ft S swell, period stretching to 11 seconds, and glassy conditions with a light offshore breeze. This is clean, lined-up, and offers excellent surf for experienced surfers. The combined energy is moderate-strong (1056). The afternoon sees the swell bump up to 8ft and the period to 12 seconds, but the wind turns cross-on, so it gets a bit rippled.

Monday (24 August) is the big one. Morning has a 10ft S swell with a very long period of 14 seconds – that’s proper groundswell energy. The combined energy is strong to very strong (3253). The wind is light and cross-off, so it’s clean, but this is only for experts. That 10ft plus a 14-second period will be pushing hard, and at a spot like Rosa, it’s going to be big and powerful. Beginners should sit this one out. The afternoon drops to 8ft but the wind turns cross-on again.

Tuesday (25 August) through Thursday (27 August) sees the swell drop and the wind turn messy. Most sessions are cross-on or choppy, with periods of poor conditions. The swell holds around 5ft to 7ft, but the combined energy drops back to moderate. Not worth getting excited about.

Friday (28 August) brings a shift in swell direction to ENE, with 6ft swell and a short period of 8 to 9 seconds. The morning has a clean cross-off wind, and the afternoon turns glassy. The energy is moderate (533 and 550). This is a bit of a wind swell, but the conditions are clean, so it could offer some fun, small waves.

Saturday (29 August) and Sunday (30 August) are mixed. Saturday is light rain with cross-shore wind and a 5ft ENE swell, but the quality is marginal. Sunday morning and afternoon are both glassy with 5ft to 5ft ENE swell and a 9-10 second period. The combined energy is low-moderate (474 and 422). Good conditions for a longboard if you’re keen, but nothing with any punch.

Monday (31 August) starts with poor conditions but the afternoon turns glassy again with a 4ft ENE swell. Another small, clean window.

Tuesday (1 September) has a surprising uptick in the afternoon: a 7ft S swell with a short period (7 seconds) and a clean cross-off wind. The energy is moderate (654). That short period will make it a bit crumbly, but the clean conditions might make it fun.

Wednesday (2 September) to Friday (4 September) sees the swell drop again, with small waves and mixed winds. The best of this stretch is Wednesday morning: 5ft SSW swell, 8 second period, clean cross-off wind, and moderate energy (771). A good session for a shortboard if you want to stretch your legs.

Saturday (5 September) and Sunday (6 September) look poor. The wind picks up and the swell is a jumble of short-period ENE and SSE swells. The combined energy is low to moderate, but the wind and chop kill it. Not worth paddling out.

So, to sum it up: the absolute best on offer is Sunday morning (23 August) for clean, glassy, 7ft S groundswell with that 11-second period. For the big wave crew, Monday morning (24 August) with 10ft and 14-second period is the one, but only if you know what you’re doing.

After that first week, there are a few clean but small windows, and nothing that stands out as a must-surf. It’s a case of picking the clean moments in the second week.

Rusty.

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