Sponge bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Hey everyone, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what Sponge Bay has in store for us over the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, we’ve got a bit of a wait. The first real window of opportunity kicks off on Wednesday, the 29th of July. That afternoon, we’re looking at a solid 5ft swell from the ESE, with a nice 12-second period. The wind is a gentle cross-off from the NNE at 9 mph, so the surface should be clean. Combined wave energy is sitting at a moderate 756, and the water is a bit colder than average at 55°F. This is the best of the early run, and it’s expected to produce very good surf conditions. Sponge Bay is a beach and reef setup, fairly exposed, and it’s a beginner-friendly spot, so it’s a good one to get the legs moving.

Thursday the 30th is a bit of a step down. The morning still has clean 4ft surf from the ESE with a 12-second period, and a cross-off breeze from the NNW (9 mph). The afternoon drops to 4ft and the wind picks up to a moderate cross-off from the NW at 12 mph, which isn’t as clean. Still, Thursday morning is a decent option. Friday the 31st sees the swell fade to under 3ft, and the wind swings to a stronger cross-off (16 mph), so the quality plummets.

From Saturday the 1st of August through to Monday the 3rd, things get messy. The wind is onshore or cross-onshore and strong, with a big swell showing up Saturday afternoon – a raw 8ft SSW swell with a short 8-second period, and combined energy of 1615. Conditions are poor, with fresh cross-onshore wind and lumpy water. Sunday the 2nd sees a massive 10ft S swell (12-second period, 3767 combined energy), but it’s ruined by rain and strong cross-onshore wind. This is not a paddle session; for a beach and reef setup, this looks more interesting for kite surfing.

Monday the 3rd morning has a bit of hope with a clean 4ft SE swell and a light cross-off from the WNW at 9 mph, but the afternoon turns ugly again with an 8ft S swell and onshore wind.

Now, here’s the standout – and it’s a big one. Tuesday, the 4th of August. The morning is predicted to have a massive 16ft S swell with a very long 14-second period. Combined energy is a huge 14947. The wind is a light cross-off from the WNW at only 3 mph, making it glassy. The forecast says the swell is too big for this break, and that’s the truth – at over 8ft, this is expert-only territory, and even then, it might be too much. The long period groundswell will be incredibly powerful, and at a beach and reef, it could be a washing machine. This is a watch-and-wonder situation, definitely not for the faint of heart.

After that, the week of the 5th to the 11th of August is a real mixed bag. Wednesday the 5th has a 7ft SSE swell but with cross-onshore wind, making it marginal. Thursday the 6th is the best of the rest: clean, light offshore winds from the N at 6 mph, with a 5ft to 6ft SE swell (12-14 second period, 801-1185 combined energy). This is a very good option, back in the fun-size range. Friday the 7th morning is still okay, but the wind shifts and heavy rain hits in the afternoon with a 10ft SE swell and strong wind. From Saturday the 8th through to Tuesday the 11th, it’s all poor – strong onshore winds, lumpy, and messy surf. The swell drops to under 3ft, and the energy is weak.

The tail end of the forecast, Wednesday the 12th and Thursday the 13th of August, is mostly flat with tiny waves (0.3ft to 0.7ft) and no real energy. However, Thursday afternoon shows a surprise: a 6ft swell from the E with a 13-second period and 1089 combined energy. The wind is light and onshore, but the conditions are listed as unknown, so it’s a long-shot gamble.

So, the bottom line: the best session on offer is Wednesday the 29th of July afternoon. That’s your pick of the 16-day window. The massive swell on Tuesday the 4th of August is a spectacle, but not for surfing. Thursday the 6th of August is the next decent call. There’s a long gap of poor conditions from the 8th to the 11th, so patience is the name of the game.

Stay stoked, and keep an eye on the sky.

Rusty.

Read more