The Cutting Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, mate, Rusty here. Let’s have a proper look at what’s coming our way for The Cutting.

We’ve got a solid run of swell on the cards, starting this Sunday and running through the next couple of weeks, though the conditions will chop and change. The opening sessions on Sunday the 26th are a bit average – cross-shore winds and that mid-period 2ft to 3ft SW swell (around 11 seconds) is holding a combined wave energy of 1555 but the texture is marginal. The water temp is about average for the time of year, nothing unusual there.

Things really start looking up from Monday the 27th. That morning, the wind swings offshore from the NNW, blowing at 12 mph, and we’ve got a consistent 3ft SW swell with an 11-second period and a combined energy of 1455. Conditions are clean and building. By Monday afternoon the wind stiffens to 16 mph offshore, the swell ticks up a notch in period to 12 seconds and energy jumps to 1641. This is proper surf for those who know what they’re doing.

Tuesday the 28th is a weird one. Morning brings a strong offshore breeze at 25 mph, with 2ft SSW groundswell running a very long 15-second period and energy of 3119. It’s clean and offshore, but that strong wind and long period are hard work to paddle into – not for the faint-hearted. Afternoon sees the swell rebuilding to 3ft, same long 15-second period, but the wind shifts cross-offshore and stays strong. Energy hits 4821. It’s a powerful ocean, but you’ll need to earn your waves.

Wednesday the 29th is a complete write-off for surfing. The swell pumps at 18ft in the morning (energy 14554) under howling onshore SW winds. It’s massive, messy and dangerous. This is kitesurf territory, not surfing. Thursday backs right off but the onshore influence remains, making for choppy, uninspiring conditions.

Our first standout arrives on Friday the 31st. Morning session with a light NW breeze, cross-offshore, and a clean 2ft SW swell. That 12-second period has good shape and the energy sits at 1434. It’s a lovely window with some proper lines. Not too big, not too small, and the wind works for us.

The next big highlight is Saturday morning, August the 1st. Glassy offshore from the north, a 2ft SSW groundswell with a very long 17-second period. The energy is high at 2540, and the conditions are described as excellent for experienced surfers. This is one of the best slots of the whole forecast – clean, lined-up, and the kind of morning you call in sick for.

Be careful though – Saturday afternoon the same day sees the swell jump to 3ft with that long 17-second period, which is too big for this break. Wind is cross-off, but the wave size will push it beyond most people’s comfort zone. That’s expert territory only.

Sunday the 2nd is a more manageable 3ft SW swell, clean offshore winds from the NNE at 16–19 mph, and energy around 3000. Solid, clean, and rideable. The rest of the week fades in quality: the size fluctuates, and the winds get a bit messy or too strong. There’s a period of smaller but still clean waves around the 6th and 7th of August, with light winds and some excellent morning conditions for experienced surfers.

Come the 10th of August, the swell is huge again – 15ft with a 20-second period and energy of 14596 – but the offshore wind is pumping. That’s too big for this break and experts only, but it’s a sight to behold.

Overall, the best windows are Monday the 27th, Friday the 31st, and Saturday morning the 1st of August. The August 1st morning is the real gem: clean, offshore, and a high-quality long-period groundswell. There are gaps of poor or blown-out days around the 29th and 30th, but otherwise, the swell keeps coming. Crowds are sometimes an issue here, so expect company on the standouts.

Keep your eyes on the forecasts – this is a promising run.

Rusty.

Read more