Te Awanga Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, it’s Rusty. Let’s talk Te Awanga. The waves are a bit slow to get going, and the first few days are pretty ordinary, so don’t feel like you’re missing out if you’re busy. We’ve got a couple of good days on the horizon, but it’s a waiting game.

The early days, Wednesday the 16th and Thursday the 17th, are flat and messy. Swell’s only 0.5m to 0.9m, from the southeast, with cross-shore or onshore winds. There’s not enough energy to get excited about—numbers are in the 100s or lower—so it’s a good time to do the housework.

Friday the 18th finally shows some promise. Still small at 0.9m, but we get a decent offshore southwest wind, and the energy climbs into the 280s. It’s clean, but it’s still a small-wave day.

Then the swell machine kicks in. Saturday the 19th brings a big 3.0m south-southeast swell with a 9-second period and a massive energy reading of 2780. But it’s too big for this point. It’ll be a closeout mess, so give it a wide berth. Sunday the 20th drops right off to 0.5m, so that’s a no-go.

Monday the 21st is the biggest of the run—3.5m of south swell, 12-second period, and a huge energy of 4089. That’s a lot of water, too much for Te Awanga. Again, it’s a washout for anyone who’s not an expert or a lunatic.

Then the middle of the week is flat and small. Tuesday and Wednesday, the 22nd and 23rd, are washed out.

But then, Thursday the 24th turns the corner. The morning brings 1.9m of south swell at 9 seconds, with a light offshore wind and energy around 572. It’s clean, and it’s got some push. This is the first day I’d actually paddle out.

And then the real winner: Friday the 25th. The morning has 1.3m of south swell, but the period is 16 seconds—that’s proper long-period groundswell, and the energy is at 1070. Offshore winds and clean conditions. This is the day. The long period at a point break means long, beautiful lines. The water’s still in the 15° to 16° range, which is about average for this time of year, so nothing crazy there. This is the standout, hands down.

Saturday the 26th is still good, with 1.1m of south swell and a 13-second period, but it’s a step down from Friday.

After that, it’s done. Sunday the 27th has a glassy 0.9m, but it’s small, and from Monday the 28th on, we’re back to tiny, weak surf. So, make the most of the 25th—that’s the one.

Rusty out.

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