The Bowl Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into it for The Bowl. The first few days are a total waste of wetsuit time. Don’t even bother. Things start to stir from the 1st of September, and there’s a couple of windows that’ll get your heart pumping, especially if you’re after a proper reef wave.

Saturday the 29th and Sunday the 30th are dead. A weak, short-period northerly swell, barely 3ft, and the wind is all wrong. The wave energy is pitiful (54). It’s a bummer, but it passes.

Monday the 31st is still flat, with a tiny 2ft swell (43). Then Tuesday the 1st of September shows a pulse. The morning has a 3ft NW swell, clean with a fresh offshore south wind, and the energy hits 120. It’s small, but it’s clean. The Tuesday afternoon jumps to 8ft from the WNW with a strong 662 energy, but the wind is cross-offshore and the forecast is only marginal. That’s getting big, and with a short 7-second period, it’s messy.

Now, Wednesday the 2nd of September is the first real deal. The morning has 8ft from the NNW, but it’s cross-onshore and choppy. The afternoon, though, is the standout. A 8ft NW groundswell with a 11-second period, energy pumping at 1179, and the wind turns clean cross-offshore from the east. That’s a beautiful combo for a reef break like The Bowl. It’s too big for beginners, but for the advanced crew, this is the pick of the first week. The water temp is 57°, which is about normal for this time of year.

Thursday the 3rd goes huge, but it’s rough. 12ft from the west with a short 9-second period and strong fresh cross-offshore wind. The energy is 2053, but the short period and size make it a beast. This is more for the kite guys or tow-ins.

Friday the 4th is a write-off with onshore winds and a messy 8ft to 6ft mix. The weekend of the 5th and 6th is all wind. Saturday the 5th has a clean 4ft swell, but the wind is howling. Sunday the 6th has a near gale from the SW, so the 6ft swell is just blown out.

The second week brings another big swell, but it’s compromised. Monday the 7th has a 13ft NW groundswell with a 12-second period, energy almost 3879, but the cross-shore wind is lumpy. That’s a heavy, powerful wave for experts only. Tuesday the 8th is similar, with 8ft to 8ft NNW swell, again cross-shore wind.

The next real standout is Wednesday the 9th of September. The afternoon turns it on. A 8ft NNW groundswell with a 10-second period, energy is 983, and the wind goes cross-offshore from the ESE, leaving it glassy and clean. The forecast says “expect very good surf conditions.” This is your second best window. The crowds at The Bowl are “sometimes” an issue, so expect company, but for a clean 8ft wave at a reef, it’s worth it.

The 10th and 11th see a drop in size, but the 11th of September morning has a 6ft west swell with a moderate offshore wind from the south, energy at 656, and “very good surf conditions.” That’s a solid, clean day for a more manageable size.

The final fling is Sunday the 13th of September. A solid 8ft west swell with an 8-second period, but the wind is light and cross-offshore from the SSE, and the energy is 928. The forecast says “very good surf conditions.” That’s a great way to finish, with a clean, punchy wave.

So, the best of the best: the afternoon of Wednesday the 2nd of September – a clean 8ft NW groundswell with a dreamy 11-second period and cross-offshore wind. That’s the one to circle. The second best is the afternoon of Wednesday the 9th of September, with a similar 8ft clean swell. The 11th morning and the 13th are also solid backups. The Bowl is a reef, so that long-period groundswell will wrap in nicely, but it’s an advanced spot, so treat it with respect.

Rusty.

Read more