Fence (Port Elizabeth) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for Fence (Port Elizabeth) over the next couple of weeks. It’s a mixed bag, but there are a couple of real gems in there if you’re keen and can pick your moments.

We’ve got a solid run of swell starting immediately, but the first few days are a bit touch-and-go. Tuesday afternoon kicks off with 5ft SSE swell at 13 seconds, but the wind’s a cross-off from the SW at 20 km/h. The water’s sitting at 60°, which is a bloody 6° colder than normal for this time of year – that’s proper unusual, so layer up. The combined energy is moderate at 983, but the conditions are only marginal, so it’s not the best to start.

Now, Wednesday morning the 19th is where you want to be. The wind goes glassy from the west at just 5 km/h, and we’ve got 6ft of clean SSW groundswell at 13 seconds, with combined energy jumping to 1178. That’s a proper window of clean, lined-up waves. The afternoon gets wrecked by a strong 35 km/h cross-off, so make the morning session count.

Thursday the 20th is the standout of the whole outlook. Morning brings 10ft of SSW swell at 14 seconds – that’s a lot of power, with energy hitting 3006. Wind is light offshore from the WSW at 15 km/h, so it’ll be smooth and hollow. This is strictly for experienced surfers only; anything over 8ft is expert territory. The afternoon drops to 8ft but still excellent with cross-off wind. This is your best bet.

Friday the 21st goes onshore and drops off fast – 5ft with E wind at 15 km/h and poor conditions. The weekend gets messy too. Saturday has strong offshore winds at 45 km/h, making it hard to paddle into, and Sunday morning the 23rd bounces back with 8ft SSW swell at 12 seconds and moderate offshore wind – another one for the experienced crew, with energy at 1575.

From Monday the 24th through to the end of the month, there’s a real lull. Lots of marginal or poor days. Swell drops under 5ft, winds swing onshore or cross, and the combined energy stays weak to moderate. The water warms up a touch but nothing special. Not worth paddling out unless you’re desperate.

Then, on Monday the 31st of August, we get a surprise – a morning session with 7ft of E swell at 9 seconds and glassy conditions. Energy is strong at 1625, and the wind is dead calm. That’s going to be clean and punchy, but short-period so better suited to a point or reef setup. Still, a real highlight after a quiet week.

The first week of September looks small and average, with 4ft SSW swell and cross-off winds but nothing worth getting excited about. The energy is weak, and the scores are low.

So, to sum it up: Thursday the 20th of August is the absolute standout – big, clean, offshore, and powerful. Wednesday morning the 19th and Sunday the 23rd are solid secondaries. And that Monday the 31st glass-off is a nice late surprise.

Stay warm – that water is freakin’ cold.
- Rusty

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