The Cutting Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Righto, grab a coffee and let's have a look at what's on the table for The Cutting over the next couple of weeks.

First up, we've got a bit of a wait. The surf is pretty average on Thursday the 6th of August, with a weak 4ft SW groundswell and a moderate cross-off breeze from the NW. The energy is low, only about 900, so it's not doing much. Don't bother paddling out yet.

Friday the 7th of August is where it kicks off. The swell jumps to a solid 10ft from the SW early, and with a clean offshore N wind at 6 mph, this is going to be pumping. The energy is massive at 3813. Now, this is a big swell, over 8ft, so it's strictly for experienced surfers only. The wave period is 15 seconds, a proper groundswell, which at a point break like The Cutting should wrap in beautifully. Friday afternoon goes glassy with NW wind at 0 mph and 8ft swell – still on the bigger side, but clean as a whistle. Friday is the standout, no question.

Saturday the 8th of August sees the swell hanging around 8-8ft, but the wind is up, a fresh 19 mph cross-off or offshore, so it’ll be choppy and less inviting. Sunday the 9th is similar, swell dropping to 4-6ft, but the wind is onshore or cross-shore, with fresh 19 mph gusts and some light rain. Not your day.

Monday the 10th of August brings another big pulse, 10-13ft from the SW, with a very long 17-18 second period. That’s some serious groundswell energy, reaching 9208. The wind is cross-off, so it might be clean, but at 13ft it's massive and way too big for anyone but the most hardcore. The same story runs through to about the 16th of August – wave heights consistently over 10ft, often 13-16ft, with very high energy (four and five-figure numbers). This is a period of solid, powerful SW swell but it's all in the 'too big' category for most, with winds often shifting to cross-shore or onshore, churning it up. This stretch is more for the tow-in crew or kite surfers than paddle surfers.

Look ahead to Monday the 17th of August. The swell eases to a more manageable 7ft from the SW, with a light offshore NE breeze at 6 mph. The energy is still decent at 1647. This is a great window for experienced surfers, with excellent conditions reported. Tuesday the 18th of August is even better for the intermediate crowd, with the swell down to 5-6ft and a clean offshore NNE wind at 12 mph. That's a fantastic, surfable size with good shape. Wednesday the 19th of August sees a fresher offshore 22 mph wind and 8ft swell, but it's on the edge of getting big again.

The water temperature here is about average for this time of year. No major anomalies to report.

So, if you're an experienced surfer looking for a real hit, Friday the 7th of August is your day. For the rest of us, mark down Monday the 17th and Tuesday the 18th of August. The period from the 10th to the 16th is just too big and messy. Crowds are possible at The Cutting when it's good, so expect a few others in the water on those days.

Rusty.

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