Fence (Port Elizabeth) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's cookin' at Fence (Port Elizabeth).

Right now, we're in a bit of a flat spell. The waves that are showing are just not happening; the wind is onshore and strong, making a mess of things. We've got poor conditions and zero scores to start. Wednesday the 29th of July and Thursday the 30th are write-offs, and Friday the 31st through Sunday the 2nd of August look just as rough, with that E wind and lumpy, choppy surf at around 5 ft to 8 ft. It's a frustrating start.

But then Monday the 3rd of August flips the script. That morning, it goes glassy, with the wind swinging to a light Westerly at just 3 mph. The swell is a clean 6 ft from the ESE with a period of 10 seconds, and the combined energy is solid (736). The water temp is about average for this time of year. This is the standout. Fence is a very consistent, fairly exposed reef setup that handles this direction well, and with those conditions, it's going to be firing. On Monday afternoon it gets a bit cross-onshore, so get it while it's glassy in the morning. It's an advanced break, and crowds are sometimes around, so if it's good, you won't be alone, but it'll be worth it.

Tuesday the 4th and Wednesday the 5th of August keep the clean conditions rolling with cross-offshore winds. Swell sizes drop a bit to 4 ft, then bounce back Wednesday afternoon with a 6 ft SSW groundswell (period 14 seconds, combined energy 1537), but the wind goes cross-shore so it might have a little chop on it. Still, these days are all about clean, surfable waves.

Thursday the 6th of August morning is another glassy, clean session with 5 ft SSW swell, but the afternoon sees the onshore wind return and the quality drops.

Now here's where things get interesting. Friday the 7th of August morning: a big 8 ft SSW groundswell (period 14 seconds, combined energy 2753) and a strong 22 mph Westerly offshore wind. That's going to be solid, hollow, and clean, but over 8 ft, so it's strictly for experts. It'll be a big, powerful wave – hard paddling but worth it if you've got the skills. Saturday the 8th and Sunday the 9th of August see the wind getting even stronger (25-37 mph offshore), making it near impossible to paddle out. The waves will be huge and clean but you'll be fighting a gale. That's kite-surfing territory, not really a paddle session.

Monday the 10th of August drops back to a smaller 5 ft SW swell with a moderate cross-shore wind, so it's just okay. But the real second stand-out in this run is Tuesday the 11th of August morning: a gentle offshore wind, 5 ft S groundswell (period 11 seconds), combined energy of 679, and the forecast says "very good surf conditions." Clean, lined-up, and accessible.

Wednesday the 12th of August morning is another good call with a 7 ft SSE swell, gentle offshore wind, and a score that points to quality.

After that, Thursday the 13th of August sees the E wind return with a messy 7 ft SSW swell and poor conditions. The window closes.

So, for the whole 16-day outlook: the best on offer is undeniably Monday the 3rd of August morning for the glassy, clean, solid surf. The second standout is Tuesday the 11th of August morning for that long-period groundswell with clean offshore wind. The rest of the first week has some good sessions, but those two mornings are the ones to circle on the calendar.

Rusty.

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