Fence (Port Elizabeth) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming our way at Fence (Port Elizabeth).

Alright, the first week or so is a bit of a mixed bag, nothing too wild. The real standout is shaping up for Sunday the 23rd of August. That afternoon session is the one to circle. We’ve got a solid 8ft swell pushing in from the SSW, with a good 14-second period on it. That’s proper groundswell with some grunt. The combined energy is strong at (2018), and with a light SW breeze giving us a cross-off wind, the setup is going to be clean and powerful. That swell is a bit too much for beginners, but for the advanced crew, it’s going to be firing. Expect some solid, well-shaped waves. This break is very consistent, so you won’t be waiting around long.

Before that, Monday the 17th through Tuesday the 18th has some decent action. Monday morning brings a 4ft SSW groundswell at 14 seconds, with light WSW cross-off winds. The energy is moderate (733), and conditions look clean. A good option for a session if you’re keen, but not the blockbuster. Tuesday afternoon sees the swell bump up to 5ft from the SSW, still with a 13-second period and light cross-off winds. Energy is up to (824). That’s a nice, solid afternoon wave.

Be aware, the water temperature is a very unusual 58°, which is nearly 9° colder than normal for this time of year. You’ll want a thick steamer and maybe boots for that first session.

Now, things get a bit messy mid-week. Wednesday the 19th and Thursday the 20th have some size (5ft to 6ft), but the winds are onshore or cross-onshore, making for choppy conditions. The quality drops off. Friday the 21st is a write-off with strong 16 mph onshore winds and a big, lumpy 7ft+ swell – that’s straight up messy and only for the hardcore if anyone’s out.

The big Sunday session on the 23rd is the peak. After that, there’s a drop in quality. Monday the 24th has a massive 8ft S groundswell with a very long 17-second period, but it’s blown out by strong cross-onshore winds (12 to 19 mph). The energy is huge (3875), but the conditions are poor. That setup looks more like a kite-surfing day than a good paddle surf. For the rest of the following week into the end of August, the swell hangs around the 3ft to 5ft mark, but the winds are a constant cross-off or onshore. It’s marginal, with the best chance for a sneaky clean wave being the morning of Thursday the 27th – 5ft SSW groundswell at 14 seconds with gentle SW cross-off winds. That’s worth checking if you’re desperate for a session, but it’s not a standout.

The long-range stuff after the 23rd is promising, but less certain. Keep an eye on the charts as we get closer.

Rusty.

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