Stent Road Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s have a look at what’s heading our way.

Right then, Stent Road is a reef and point set-up that only comes alive with a solid SW groundswell, and it’s an advanced wave. The first week, honestly, it’s a write-off. We’ve got a massive swell coming in from the 31st of August through to the 6th of September, but every single session is hampered by howling onshore and cross-onshore winds, mostly in the 22 to 25 mph range. The water temp is sitting at 57° which is about average for the time of year, but it’s not gonna matter because you won’t want to be out there. The wave energy is just insane—hitting over 8000 (combined energy of all swells directed here) with swell heights over 15 ft, but the wind is just trashing it. This is a classic case of “big and ugly.” It’s more of a kite-surfing scenario than a paddle-surfing one.

After that mess, things start to settle. The real standout, and the one to circle on your calendar, hits on the morning of Wednesday, September 9th. The wind drops to a glassy 3 mph with a slight air, and the swell is a clean 5 ft from the WSW with a period of 13 seconds. The energy is still moderate (1016), but the conditions are described as excellent for experienced surfers. That’s the window. It’s a short window because the afternoon gets a bit lumpy, but that morning is pure glass.

The next real highlight comes on the morning of Friday, September 11th. Another glassy morning, this time with a clean NE breeze at 3 mph. The swell is a bit bigger at 8 ft, still from the WSW, with a very long period of 17 seconds. That’s a proper groundswell. The energy is moderate (3002), and the conditions are “excellent for experienced surfers.” This is a classic-looking Stent Road day. The water temp will be a bit cooler by then, but it’s a trade-off for those perfect lines.

The end of the run, from the 14th of September, the swell drops right off and the wind goes messy again, so it’s back to small, choppy leftovers. The 14th afternoon has a little 4 ft clean wave with light wind, but it’s a fraction of the energy from earlier in the month.

In short: the first week is a total write-off due to wind. The only two windows worth paddling out for are the mornings of Wednesday 9th and Friday 11th of September. The 9th is the smaller, glassier, more reliable option, but the 11th has a bit more grunt and a very long period. Both are for advanced surfers only.

Rusty.

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