Shooting Gallery Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let me level with you, crew. It’s a tough stretch ahead at Shooting Gallery. We’ve got a 16-day window here, but honestly, it’s going to be a real test of patience. The pattern is locked into a persistent cross-onshore flow from the north and north-northeast, which is exactly the wrong direction for this reef. That means choppy, bumpy conditions day in, day out. The swell sticks around in the 2ft to 5ft range, but the period is short – mostly 6 to 9 seconds – so there’s no real grunt or shape to get excited about. The combined swell energy sits between 125 and 431, so while there’s some push there on the bigger days, the wind just wrecks any chance of a clean wave face. Water temp is about average for this time of year, so nothing unusual there.

Friday the 7th kicks off with tiny 2ft waves and bumpy, onshore junk – not even worth paddling out. That sets the tone. Saturday the 8th through Monday the 10th: similar story, 4ft to 5ft but short period and a fresh breeze keeping things lumpy. Tuesday the 11th and Wednesday the 12th are more of the same, moderate to fresh cross-onshore breezes, waves around 3ft to 4ft. No standout, no reprieve.

Thursday the 13th through Sunday the 16th – still stuck in that pattern. Swells bump up a touch to 4ft to 5ft, but period stays short and the wind keeps hammering from the north. The wave energy climbs into the 200s and even breaks 268 on Sunday the 16th morning, but without clean wind, it’s just messy. Monday the 17th and Tuesday the 18th: same drill – fresh breezes, cross-onshore, choppy. If you’re a kiter, this setup has more appeal than paddle surfing.

Wednesday the 19th through Friday the 21st finally shows a hint of change. Swell hangs around 4ft to 5ft, period stretches to 9 seconds on some sessions, and the combined energy hits a peak of 431 on Thursday the 20th morning – that’s the most energy we’ll see. But here’s the kicker: the wind is still cross-onshore. On Friday the 21st afternoon, it goes cross-shore, but with a cross-chop. It’s the closest we get to anything rideable, but it’s still not clean. If you absolutely have to get wet, Thursday the 20th morning has the most push, but manage expectations.

Saturday the 22nd fades back to 4ft and short period, wind back onshore again.

So look – there’s no real standout here. The best on offer is probably Thursday the 20th morning, with 5ft swell from the north at 9 seconds and moderate energy (431), but it’s still cross-onshore and choppy. Not a day to tell your mates about. Honestly, for paddle surfing, this 16-day stretch is a write-off. The wind just won’t get out of the way. Keep the board in the car, check the forecasts, and hope the pattern shifts.

Rusty

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