Strand (Pipe) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let's talk about what's on the menu for Strand (Pipe) over the next couple of weeks.

The water is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, sitting at 58°, so don't forget the booties if you're heading out.

We kick off on Friday the 21st of August with a pretty solid start. The afternoon is looking clean with a light cross-off breeze from the south, and a 4ft swell from the SSW. The period is a healthy 11 seconds, and the combined energy is pumping at a moderate 627. It's shaping up for some very good surf, so get out there if you can.

Saturday the 22nd is a bit of a letdown. The morning is a cross-shore mess with a gentle breeze, and the afternoon is a complete write-off with onshore winds. The surf is marginal at best. Sunday the 23rd through Monday the 24th stays in the same boat—marginal. The swell hangs around the 4ft to 5ft range from the SW, but the wind's not playing ball, leaving the waves with a cross-chop.

Tuesday the 25th sees the swell bump up a bit, with a 5ft SSW groundswell in the morning. The period is 14 seconds, and the energy is getting up there at 938. The wind is a clean cross-off, so the waves will have some shape, but it's still a marginal call. Not a standout, but a chance for a session.

Then we get a proper little window on Wednesday the 26th. The morning is looking sweet with a light offshore easterly breeze, picking up a 5ft SE swell. The period is a short 8 seconds, so it’ll be a bit weaker, but the clean conditions should make it fun. The afternoon stays glassy with an offshore breeze. This is a good, clean option for the middle of the week.

Thursday the 27th is a write-off with cross-onshore winds, but then Friday the 28th is a real gem. The morning is glassy, dead calm, with a 4ft S swell and a very long 14-second period. The energy is strong at 690. This is a standout for the near term. The long period means it’s going to be a proper groundswell, so the points and reefs will be the place to be. It's going to be clean and lined up.

Saturday the 29th is a no-go with strong winds and a messy onshore swell. Sunday the 30th brings a bigger swell, but it's still a bit messy and marginal. The combined energy on Sunday morning is a massive 1614, but it’s not clean.

Now, we get into the start of September, and there's a couple of promising days. Monday the 31st of August has a 6ft swell, but it's more of an experienced surfer's day. Tuesday the 1st of September is a beauty. The morning is dead glassy, calm winds, with a 5ft SSW groundswell. The period is 14 seconds, and the energy is 967. This is your other clear standout. The conditions will be absolutely pristine.

After that, the wind turns nasty from the 2nd to the 3rd of September. Strong cross-onshore winds will ruin it. But keep an eye on Friday the 4th of September. The morning is looking excellent for experienced surfers, a 8ft SSE swell with a clean offshore breeze. The energy is massive at 1526. That's a big, powerful swell, so only for the confident crew.

Saturday the 5th of September is a poor finish to the outlook with choppy, onshore winds.

So, the best windows are clearly Friday the 28th of August with that glassy, long-period groundswell, and Tuesday the 1st of September with the calm, clean conditions. Get those dates in the diary.

Rusty.

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