Stent Road Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. It’s been a rough stretch for the South West, but there’s a glimmer of hope if you’re willing to wait and pick your moments. The early part of the outlook is a write-off, so save your energy for later next week.

The first few days are a total mess. Friday the 17th through Sunday the 19th is all cross-onshore wind, with swell hanging around 7 ft to 8 ft from the WSW, but the period is long (14 to 16 seconds) – that’s proper groundswell. The problem is the wind. It’s cross-on at 15 to 19 mph, and the combined swell energy is strong (2099 to 2833), but the conditions are just poor. Choppy and lumpy. You’d be wasting your time.

Monday the 20th is where it starts to turn. The morning is still a bit iffy with a light onshore breeze and 7 ft WSW swell at 14 seconds, but the energy is still moderate (1605). The afternoon is the real story: glassy. A tiny NNE breeze at 3 mph, the swell drops just a fraction to 6 ft, and the period holds at 14 seconds. The energy is still moderate (1389), but clean glassy conditions make this a standout for the week. The wave set-up looks good for experienced surfers – that long-period groundswell will be lining up nicely at Stent Road, a reef and point break that’s exposed to the SW. It’s a consistent, advanced-level spot, so this isn’t for beginners. Water temperature is about average for the time of year, so no drama there. Crowds are often a factor, so expect company.

Tuesday the 21st morning cleans up with a cross-off SSE breeze at 9 mph and 5 ft swell from the WSW, period 13 seconds. The energy drops to moderate (820). It’s clean, but not as punchy as Monday afternoon. Tuesday afternoon goes cross-on again, so that’s a no-go.

Wednesday the 22nd and Thursday the 23rd are a mixed bag. Wednesday is a dud with short-period wind swell (7 seconds) and cross-on winds. Thursday morning, however, is a glimmer: a light cross-off NNE breeze, 4 ft WSW swell at 12 seconds, and clean conditions. The energy is moderate (551). Worth a paddle if you’re keen on a smaller, cleaner wave, but it’s not a standout.

Then we hit a dead zone. Friday the 24th through Tuesday the 28th is mostly poor, with strong winds, lumpy conditions, and only small windows of marginal surf. The exception is Saturday the 25th morning – a 10 ft WNW swell at 9 seconds, but it’s short-period and cross-on, so it’s messy, and the energy is strong (2820). That afternoon is a write-off with 28 mph winds. Sunday the 26th morning is where it gets interesting again: a 10 ft WSW swell with 14-second period, and – get this – offshore ENE wind at 12 mph. The combined energy is very strong (3740). This is a big, powerful groundswell with clean offshore conditions. It’s excellent for experienced surfers, but 10 ft is serious juice. Expert-only territory. The rest of the week is a mix of cross-off winds and building swell, but nothing as clean as that Sunday morning.

The final standout is Saturday the 1st of August. This one is a big call that far out, but it’s looking exceptional. Glassy conditions with a slight SSE breeze, and a solid 13 ft WSW groundswell at 15 seconds. The combined energy is extreme (6995). That’s a massive, clean, long-period swell – perfect for a reef and point like Stent Road. It’s for experts only, and the crowds will be inevitable. If you’ve got the skills and the patience, this is the one to circle on the calendar. Promising, but it’s a long-range call, so keep an eye on it.

If you’re not a hardcore surfer, most of this run is too big or too messy. The kite crew might be eyeing the stronger wind days, especially Saturday the 25th and later in the second week, but for paddle surfing, the best bets are Monday the 20th afternoon, Sunday the 26th morning, and that big Saturday the 1st of August morning.

Rusty.

Read more