Shida Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G'day, Rusty here, and I'm looking straight at what we've got coming for Shida. It's a mixed bag, and honestly, we've got a long wait ahead before anything really gets going. For the next few days, it's all about sitting tight and watching the horizon. The surf's not worth paddling out for, so don't bother rushing down there just yet.

We're kicking off the period with a bit of a lull. The first few days, from the 14th right through to the 18th of September, are pretty much a write-off. The swell's small, the wind's messy, and the conditions are just poor. You'd be wasting your time.

Now, things start to get interesting around the 19th of September. That Saturday morning, we see a solid 10ft swell rolling in from the southeast. The water temp is sitting at a pretty standard 79° for this time of year, so no surprises there. The combined energy of all swells directed here is a whopping 3089, which is strong, no doubt about it. But here's the catch: that size, over 8ft, puts it firmly in the "experts only" territory. It's a big, powerful groundswell with a period of 13 seconds, which means long gaps between sets and plenty of energy. For a spot like Shida, which is exposed and can handle a big swell, this could be a sight to see, but it's not for the faint-hearted. The wind is light and variable early on Saturday morning, with a slight air and a light cross-shore, keeping it clean. But the sheer size makes it a challenge. Later that afternoon, the wind swings to the north-northeast, making it a bit cross-onshore and choppy.

The big swell keeps coming through Sunday the 20th of September. We're looking at another 10ft swell from the southeast in the morning, and the combined energy is a massive 4335. That's a serious amount of power. The wind is straight onshore from the north at 9 mph, which is not ideal for shape, but the size is undeniable. Again, this is strictly for the experienced crew. The period is a shorter 11 seconds, so the sets will be more frequent, but it's still a heavy, powerful wave.

By Monday the 21st of September, the swell starts to ease a bit, dropping to 7ft from the south with a 13-second period. The energy is still strong at 1687, but the wind is still cross-onshore from the northeast. It's still a big, powerful swell, but the conditions are just marginal. It's not a complete washout, but it's not the clean, perfect day you'd hope for.

Looking further out, the swell continues to pulse. Tuesday the 22nd of September has another 10ft swell from the south, but the wind is a gale-force 43 mph from the south-southeast in the afternoon. That's not surfable; it's dangerous. The energy is a massive 7682, but the wind is just too strong.

As we move into the second week, there's a lot of onshore wind and messy conditions. The swell sticks around, but the wind keeps blowing from the northeast or north-northeast, making it choppy and lumpy. There are glimpses of size, like on the 28th of September when we have a 6ft to 6ft swell from the south with a very long 16-second period, but the wind is straight onshore, killing any chance of clean waves. The water temperature anomaly is normal for the time of year.

Overall, for Shida, the standout period is the weekend of the 19th and 20th of September, but it's a double-edged sword. The swell is massive, the energy is huge, but it's too big for most people and the wind isn't perfect. If you're an expert looking for a challenge and you can handle big, powerful surf, that Saturday morning with the light wind might be your best window. For everyone else, it's a waiting game. The forecasts can change, and sometimes it doesn't stay this messy for long. Keep an eye on it.

Rusty.

Read more