Salamumu Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, let’s have a look at what’s on offer for Salamumu over the next couple of weeks. I’ll be straight with you – this is a tough one. The forecast is very up and down, and for the first week and a half, it’s mostly a write-off. We’ve got a long stretch from Monday July 13th right through to Sunday July 19th where the conditions are just poor. Strong cross-onshore winds, messy lumpy surf, and the wave quality is shot. The combined swell energy is moderate to strong (values between 1022 and 2013), but with the wind ruining it, there’s nothing to get excited about. The swell heights are mostly between 3 ft and 8 ft, but the direction is all wrong for this reef, coming from the SW through to SSE, and the optimum is SE. The period is a mix of short and long, but it doesn’t matter when the wind is tearing it apart.

Then we hit a bit of a lull. From Monday July 20th through to Wednesday July 22nd, the surf quality is still only marginal. The wind starts to ease and turn offshore on the 22nd, which is promising. On Wednesday July 22nd morning, we get a clean 3 ft from the SW with a 16-second period and a light offshore wind from the N at 16 mph. That afternoon, the wind drops to a gentle 9 mph offshore, the swell is 3 ft from the SW with a 15-second period, and the combined energy is low (389). This is the closest we get to a decent paddle. The water temperature is about average for the time of year, nothing unusual.

Thursday July 23rd morning has a tiny 2 ft from the S with a very long 19-second period and light cross-shore wind, but it’s really small. The afternoon turns ugly again. After that, from Friday July 24th right through to the end of the forecast on Tuesday July 28th, it’s back to poor or marginal surf with strong cross-onshore winds and messy conditions. The swell stays mostly in the 5 ft to 7 ft range, but the wind is just relentless.

Honestly, for a dedicated surfer, the only real window is the middle of the day on Wednesday 22nd July. It’s not a standout, but it’s the best we get. The reef at Salamumu is exposed, consistent, and rated for advanced surfers, so you need to be on your game. Crowds are possible on the good days. If you’re a beginner, the bigger days (over 5 ft) are too much, and the 8 ft days on the 16th are only for experts. For the rest of the period, with the strong winds and messy surf, it’s more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

So, keep an eye on that Wednesday 22nd. It’s a short window, but it’s clean. Otherwise, it’s a long wait.

Rusty.

Read more