Steps Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the Steps over the next 16 days.

First up, it’s grim. Honestly, the start of the window is a write-off. We’ve got a long stretch of nothing worth paddling out for. The first few days are all poor surf conditions with tiny swell and messy wind. You’re looking at weak wave energy, barely mustering 57 (on Tuesday morning) up to 62. It’s not happening.

The first real glimmer comes on Wednesday morning, the 2nd of September. We finally see a jump in the combined energy to 175 (moderate), with a 3 ft SSW swell and an 10-second period. The wind is a clean offshore from the ESE, which is a major positive. The water temp is a normal 84°F for the time of year. This is your best early bet, but it’s still only a marginal call. Crowds are possible at Steps, so you might have some company.

Things get a bit more interesting on Thursday, the 3rd of September. The swell builds to 4 ft from the SSW, with the period stretching to 11 seconds, giving the combined energy a solid 369 (moderate). That longer period is a sign of better shape, but the wind turns cross-on from the NNW, which will chop it up. It’s still a poor surf condition, so don’t expect perfection.

The standout, if you can call it one, falls on Monday the 14th of September. The morning brings a 5 ft NW swell with an 11-second period and a combined energy of 746 (strong). The wind is cross-off from the ENE, so it’ll be clean. That’s the biggest, most powerful swell in the whole run. Now, 5 ft is a bit much for beginners, and the longer period means it’ll be better at stepping out on the reef or point, not just haphazardly dumping on the beach. But for the experienced crew, that Monday morning session is the one to target. The afternoon still has 5 ft but the energy drops to 484 (moderate), and the wind picks up to a fresh breeze.

Beyond that, into the second week, it fades fast. There’s a little 3 ft WNW swell on the 13th, but it’s weak. The tail end of the window is a total bust with a severe gale forecast for the 16th. Don’t bother.

So, to spell it out: the first day with any real hope is Wednesday the 2nd, but the best of the lot is the Monday the 14th morning. Everything else is a waiting game. It’s a bleak run, but it tends not to stay this poor for long. Forecasts can change, so keep an eye on it.

Rusty.

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