Shichirigahama Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let's talk about what's comin' our way at Shichirigahama over the next couple of weeks.

First off, the water temp is sitting at 82°F with a touch warmer than normal feel for this time of year, so it’s nice for a long session without a thick suit.

Right now, and for the next week and a half, it’s pretty grim. We’ve got a long stretch of nothing good. There's no real surf on offer right through to around the 18th. You'll see some small scraps in the knee-high range and a whole lot of onshore wind or poor conditions, so it's a waiting game to be honest. Most of that first week is just not worth paddling out for. There is a weak pulse on the 18th morning with a very long 17-second period and a combined energy of 137, but it's still only knee high at 0.4 feet, so not worth the effort - energy levels are low.

But hold onto your board, because the real story starts on Saturday the 19th. That morning, the swell jumps with a long-period SSE groundswell coming in at 4 ft (energy: 825), and it cranks up through the afternoon to 5 ft (energy: 1377). That’s moderate energy turning into strong energy and because the wind is NNE and light offshores - clean, lined-up conditions. This is excellent and best for experienced surfers once it gets over 5 ft.

Sunday the 20th keeps that energy pumping with solid 5 ft S swell and a very long 16-second period, energy is climbing to 1759. Still that lovely offshore NNE breeze keeping things clean. For the river mouth, that long period stuff loves a point or a river break, so this spot could really turn it on.

Monday the 21st is the true standout. That morning you've got smooth 6 ft SSW groundswell (energy: 1964) with a light north wind – glassy conditions. By the afternoon it hits 7 ft from the SSW with the same very long 16-second pulse (energy: 2488). That's only for the confident crew, but when a river break gets a long-period SSW swell lined up with a NE offshore breeze, it is pure magic. That's your session.

Tuesday the 22nd starts clean with offshore wind and 6 ft SSW swell, but by the afternoon the wind swings onshore and turns lumpy. Thursday the 24th shows a glimmer of hope with early glass and a 5 ft S swell, but it's a shadow of the main event.

So here’s the bottom line. The first week and a half is a write-off. Don't bother. The real deal is Saturday 19th, Sunday 20th, and especially Monday 21st September at Shichirigahama. That Monday is your best shot: big, powerful, clean groundswell sets rolling in.

Stay patient, stay stoked.

Rusty.

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