The Cutting Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get stuck into the outlook for The Cutting. This is a solid, exposed S-facing spot that knows how to handle a south swell, and we’ve got a real mixed bag of a forecast coming up.

The next few days are no joke – there’s a proper pulse of south-west groundswell rolling in. Tuesday the 11th is the only real window for the average punter, with a clean 8ft SW swell (combined energy of 3003) and NNW offshore winds. That’s excellent, experienced-surfer territory. The water is sitting at 57°F, which is bang on normal for this time of year. By Wednesday and Thursday the 12th and 13th, the swell jumps to a massive 13ft to 15ft, with a very long period of 16-17 seconds. That’s pure grunt, but it’s way too big for this break – that’s expert-only, and even then, the cross-shore winds will be making it lumpy. The energy is insane, hitting 18411 on Wednesday afternoon, but it’s just too much for a good session.

We then enter a long stretch of "too big" or poor conditions. Friday the 14th through Sunday the 16th keeps the swell well over 8ft with cross-onshore or onshore winds. Not a good look for the paddle crew. If you’re into kiting, the setup from Friday to Saturday with the onshore wind and big swell might be more your thing.

The light starts to show on Sunday the 16th morning, with the swell dropping to 10ft, but it’s the quality of the wind that changes. A proper NNE cross-offshore breeze at 6 mph cleans it right up. Still big for beginners, but for the experienced crew, that’s a window. The best on offer, though, is the run from Tuesday the 19th through to Saturday the 23rd. You’ll see a sweet spot of 4ft to 8ft SW groundswell, mostly with offshore or light cross-off winds from the north. The standout is Thursday the 20th and Friday the 21st. Thursday morning has 4ft SW swell (combined energy of 678), glassy offshore N wind at 6 mph, and it’s clean as a whistle. Friday the 21st has a punchier 8ft SW swell (2453 energy) with a gentle offshore breeze. The Cutting will be running clean, and the consistency is there. Expect some company though – this spot can get busy.

The final few days of the forecast, from the 24th onward, drop off hard. The swell gets small and the wind picks up strong, especially the 25th when it’s howling 28 mph from the NW. Then on the 26th, the swell comes roaring back to 15ft, but it’s a short-period WSW windswell – too big and messy for this spot.

So, for the best sessions, mark your calendar: Thursday the 20th and Friday the 21st are the pick of the bunch. Clean, manageable swell, and that classic offshore flow. The earlier windows on Tuesday the 11th and Sunday the 16th are decent for the experienced crew, but the real magic is in that second week.

Rusty.

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