Stent Road Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, well, lookin' at the charts for the next couple of weeks, it's a bit of a mixed bag for Stent Road. This is a proper advanced reef and point set-up, so it's not messin' around. The water temp is sittin' around 57°, which is pretty much normal for this time of year, so nothin' freaky there.

The first action we see is a bit of a false start. Saturday morning, the 8th of August, we've got some 5ft swell from the WNW, but it's a weak 8-second period and the wind is a cross-shore from the north at 12 mph. The combined energy is only 414, so it's pretty weak and the report says it's poor surf conditions. The afternoon is similar, with a bit more breeze. Sunday and Monday are no better; the swell drops and the wind is onshore, so it's a write-off for a few days.

Now, here's where it gets interesting. The standout window opens up on Tuesday morning, the 11th of August. The wind is glassy from the east at only 3 mph, and we've got a solid 4ft of groundswell from the WSW, with a 13-second period. The combined energy is 574, and the report says to expect very good conditions. The afternoon is glassy again, with a 4ft swell. That Tuesday is the best we've got in the first week, for sure. The long period means the waves will have some punch, and with those clean conditions, it's gonna be a gem. Could be a few people out, as it's an "often" crowded spot, but for that quality, it's worth it.

The rest of the week is a bit up and down. Wednesday gets a bit windy with a cross-off breeze, and the swell drops off. Thursday afternoon sees a bigger 5ft, 12-second swell, but the wind is a cross-off, so it's still clean. The energy jumps to 1161, so it's got some push. Friday morning, the 14th, is another clean look with a 4ft, 16-second groundswell, but the wind turns cross in the arvo.

Then things get a bit wild. The weekend of the 15th and 16th of August sees a massive spike in swell, with heights hitting 18ft on Saturday morning. But don't get too excited – the wind is a strong cross-onshore at 25 mph, and the combined energy is a huge 6334. That's not a surfable wave; that's a washing machine. The report says poor surf, and honestly, for a reef and point, that's a kite-surfing day, not a paddle day. Sunday is a bit smaller at 13ft, but still messy with the wind.

The second week looks more promising. Monday the 17th is still big and choppy, but Tuesday morning, the 18th of August, is a real standout for the second week. We've got a clean 7ft swell from the WSW with a 13-second period, and a light offshore breeze from the east at 6 mph. The energy is 1754, and the report says it's excellent conditions for experienced surfers. That's the one to circle. Wednesday morning, the 19th, is also very clean with a 6ft, 14-second groundswell and a light cross-off breeze. The rest of that week into the 22nd looks consistent, with clean 5ft to 6ft swells and cross-off winds, keeping the conditions tidy. The long-range stuff on the 23rd of August looks glassy with a very long 18-second period, but the swell is only 3ft, so it's a small-wave day.

So, to wrap it up: the absolute best on offer is Tuesday the 11th of August for the glassy conditions, and Tuesday the 18th of August for the bigger, clean, offshore swell for the experienced crew. The rest of the time is a wait-and-see game, but there's definitely some fun to be had.

Rusty.

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