Fence (Port Elizabeth) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cooking for Fence (Port Elizabeth) over the next couple of weeks. We’ve got a bit of a slow start, but there are some windows that’ll get the heart going.

Right off the bat, Wednesday morning the 9th of September offers some small 3ft swell from the East with a 9-second period. Combined energy is weak at 238, so not much to get excited about. Water temp is a bitter 62°, which is a whopping 5° colder than usual for this time of year – that’s seriously chilly, so a thicker wetsuit is non-negotiable. The wind is a gentle cross-offshore, so it’s clean, but honestly, it’s just surfable slop. Not the good stuff.

Thursday the 10th and Friday the 11th see a bit more shape. Thursday afternoon has a 4ft swell from the SSW with a long 16-second period and solid energy at 826 (moderate). Still, it’s cross-off so not perfect. Friday morning though, that’s where it gets real. Clean 3ft swell from the SW, 13-second period, and a gentle cross-off breeze. The energy is up at 384, and conditions are looking good. It’s not massive, but for a clean morning session with long-period lines, this is a solid call for an advanced surfer wanting decent shape.

Saturday the 12th is a write-off – onshore winds mess it up completely. Sunday the 13th sees a bigger 5ft SSW groundswell but with cross-onshore chop, so it’s messy.

Now, the standout. Monday the 14th of September, afternoon session. This is the one. We’ve got an 8ft swell from the East, 10-second period, and combined energy is ripping at 1453 (strong). The wind is light and cross-offshore, making it glassy clean. This is excellent, powerful surf for experienced surfers only. That punch is proper, and for those who can handle it, this is the pick of the whole forecast.

Tuesday the 15th is still good for the morning – a 5ft East swell with 11-second period and light cross-off wind. Waves will have nice shape, but it’s a step down from Monday’s power.

After that, things get bumpy. Wednesday the 16th has a 7ft SW swell but with fresh cross-off wind, making it tricky. By Thursday and Friday the 17th and 18th, onshore gales ruin it. Saturday the 19th has a massive 10ft East swell and light wind in the morning, but it’s cross-on so it’s lumpy. That’s big, raw stuff – expert territory only, and even then, not clean.

For the rest of the second week into the 24th of September, it’s mostly strong onshore winds and big, messy 10ft+ swells. There’s a final glimpse on Sunday the 20th with a cleaner 4ft SW groundswell, but the window is small.

To sum it up: The absolute best of the bunch is Monday afternoon the 14th of September at Fence. That 8ft East swell with light, clean wind is going to be pumping. Friday morning the 11th is your other good bet for a cleaner, smaller wave. The rest of the run is either too windy or too raw for most. Keep an eye on Monday.

Rusty.

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