Steamer Lane-Middle Peak Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming down the line for Steamer Lane-Middle Peak.

We’re kicking off on Wednesday the 19th of August with some small, clean surf. It’s a bit of a slow start, but the water is a touch warmer than usual for this time of year, sitting at 61°. The swell is only 3ft from the WNW with a short period of 7 seconds, and the combined energy is weak (182). The wind is a light cross-offshore breeze, so the waves will be clean, but don’t expect much push. It’s surfable, but nothing to get excited about.

Thursday the 20th and Friday the 21st see the swell drop even more, around 2ft to 2ft. The period does stretch out to 12 seconds on Thursday, which is a longer period groundswell, but with that tiny size it’s still just a dribble. The wind stays light and cross-off, keeping the surface clean, but the energy is low (169 and 124). Friday afternoon the energy drops right off to 65, and the forecast calls it poor.

We then hit a real flat spell. Saturday the 22nd is a write-off with barely any swell and zero energy in the afternoon. Sunday the 23rd morning starts to see a little life again, with 3ft WNW swell at 8 seconds and 116 energy, but it’s still just ordinary. The real turnaround comes Sunday afternoon, though. The swell builds to 4ft from the WNW, period holds at 8 seconds, and the combined energy jumps to 336. The wind is light and cross-off, and the forecast says expect good surf conditions. This is the first real standout. The waves will have some push, and the light offshore breeze will keep the lineup clean. This is the best we’ve seen so far, and it’s the one to aim for.

Monday the 24th through to Wednesday the 26th is a confusing period. The swell direction swings to the SW, and the period gets very long, between 16 and 18 seconds. This is proper groundswell, but it’s hitting Middle Peak with a cross-shore wind, which creates light wind ripples and messy conditions. The swell heights are underwhelming at 2ft to 2ft, so despite the long period, there’s just not enough size to make it work. The energy is moderate (around 200-260), but the quality isn’t there.

Thursday the 27th and Friday the 28th keep the swell around 3ft to 4ft from the WNW, but the wind stays cross-shore or even a touch cross-onshore, creating light wind ripples. The energy is moderate (up to 248), but the surface texture is off. It’s surfable, but not great.

Now, look ahead to Saturday the 29th of August. This is the big one. The morning brings 5ft of swell from the NW with an 8-second period. The combined energy is a strong 510. The wind is a slight air from the WSW, so it’s almost glassy. This is the standout of the whole 16-day window. That size is pushing into the upper end of intermediate territory, but it’s not huge, and with clean conditions, Middle Peak will be running nicely. Sunday the 30th sees a drop in size to 4ft, but the wind is still light cross-off. Then on Sunday afternoon, the wind swings hard to the WNW at 30 km/h, which is a fresh offshore breeze. The waves will be clean, but that wind strength will make it tricky to paddle out and hold your line.

Monday the 31st of August is a gem. The morning is glassy with 4ft of WNW swell and 245 energy. The afternoon picks up with a light offshore from the NW and 5ft swell, and the energy climbs to 281. The forecast says expect good surf conditions. This is another standout session, especially the glassy morning.

Tuesday the 1st of September morning builds on that, with 5ft from the NW, 387 energy, and a slight air from the SW. That’s clean, solid, and the best of the early September run. The afternoon turns cross-shore and messy, so get it in the morning.

After that, things fade out. Wednesday the 2nd and Thursday the 3rd of September are back to tiny, weak, and poor conditions, with the last gasp on the 3rd afternoon being a 2ft SW swell with a 15-second period, but only 170 energy. It’s the end of the line.

So, to sum it up: the first week is a struggle until Sunday the 23rd afternoon. The absolute best on offer is Saturday the 29th of August morning with that 5ft, near-glassy session, and the glassy morning of Monday the 31st of August. Also, don’t sleep on Tuesday the 1st of September morning. After that, it’s all over. Stay patient, and pick your windows.

Rusty.

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