Stent Road Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the cards for Stent Road over the next couple of weeks. This is a keen spot, a reef and point set-up that really needs a solid SW groundswell to show its best, and we've got nothing but big energy coming. But the wind is going to be the fight for most of the run.

The overall pattern is a whole lot of swell, no doubt about it, but the wind is all over the place. For the first week, it's a battle against onshore and cross-off winds, making the ocean look messy. The water temperature is sitting at 57°, which is about average for this time of year, so nothing freaky there.

The middle of the week (Wednesday 16th and Thursday 17th) is pretty ordinary. We've got a 4ft SW groundswell with a nice 13-second period on Wednesday, but a 15 km/h NW cross-onshore is chopping it up. Thursday jumps up to a 7ft WSW swell, but with a 35 km/h N cross-shore wind, it’s going to be lumpy and difficult. There’s no surf worth paddling for here.

Friday 18th morning is where it gets a bit interesting, but you need to be on your game. The swell has built to 8ft from the WSW with an 11-second period, which is hefty. The good news is the wind swings light SSE, giving us a clean, cross-off breeze. The wave energy is strong (3582), so it's powerful. This is excellent for experienced surfers only – that size at a reef will be pushing it for anyone else. The afternoon turns to junk again with a strong SW cross-onshore.

Through Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th, it’s a write-off for surfing. We are looking at a massive, messed-up ocean. The swell peaks at 20ft from the WSW on Sunday, but it’s getting hammered by 45 km/h SW winds. The combined energy is huge (8881 and 10860), but it’s just a washing machine. This would be more of a kite surfing setup than a paddle surfing one.

Monday 22nd and Tuesday 23rd stay big and messy. There is a small window on Tuesday morning (22nd) with the swell dropping to 8ft and a NNW cross-shore wind. It’s a marginal call with a cross-chop, but it’s the only breathable option in a week of junk.

Now, if you can wait, the standout is locked in for Thursday 24th September. That morning is the best of the entire forecast. The swell is still a solid 10ft from the WSW, with a long 16-second period, meaning it will have serious power and shape. But the magic is the wind: glassy, dead calm out of the SSW at only 5 km/h. The conditions are labelled exceptional for experts. This is a rare day where the wind aligns with the size and direction, so expect the reef to be firing with long, clean lines. The wave energy is very strong (5275), so it’s a proper groundswell. This is the one to circle. The afternoon gets a cross-onshore breeze back, so get it in the morning.

Through the last week of September and into October, the swell backs off steadily, but the wind stays mostly onshore or cross. Friday 29th September morning has a small 6ft WSW swell with glassy conditions, which is good for a more relaxed session if the crowds aren't too bad (the spot can be often busy). That’s a nice clean option for experienced surfers.

Rusty.

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