Fence (Port Elizabeth) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, mate, Rusty here. Let’s have a proper look at the next couple of weeks for the Fence.

This stretch starts a bit quiet, but there’s a real pulse of energy coming mid-period that’s worth getting excited about. The early days are more about picking the right window, and the standout is Thursday the 20th, when things get properly serious. We’ve also got a solid run of cleaner days after that, though the very end of the window gets messy with onshore winds.

We’re starting on Monday the 17th with a small but clean 4ft SW swell, glassy in the morning. It’s not big, but it’s surfable. The water is a seriously cold 58°, a full 9° colder than normal for this time of year, which is very unusual – you’ll want the thickest hood and gloves you own. The swell energy is moderate (635), and the period is a healthy 14 seconds, so there’s some push in it despite the size.

Tuesday the 18th drops a touch in the morning, but the afternoon is the pick of the day. Swell bumps up to about 5ft from the SSW with a 13-second period and the energy climbs to 836, which is moderate. It’s clean with a light cross-off breeze. Not a classic, but a decent session.

Wednesday the 19th sees the swell push up a notch to about 6ft from the SSW. The morning is clean and glassy with a cross-off wind, and the energy is now solidly moderate at 1083. This is a good sign of things to come. The afternoon, however, gets blown out by a fresh 22 mph cross-off, so make the most of the morning.

Now, Thursday the 20th is the main event. This is the standout of the whole period. The swell jumps to 8ft in the morning and 10ft by the afternoon, both from the SSW with a long 14-second period. The energy is strong, hitting 2299 in the morning and a hefty 2993 by the afternoon. This is serious groundswell. The morning has a moderate offshore wind and the afternoon is clean with a gentle cross-off. This is going to be big, powerful, and only for experienced surfers – at this size, it’s not for the faint-hearted or beginners. Expect a proper hold-down.

Friday the 21st settles down a bit with 6ft dropping to 5ft from the SSW. Winds turn light cross-onshore, which will put a bit of texture on the surface. Not the cleanest, but there will still be waves.

Saturday the 22nd has a stronger cross-off wind, 19 mph in the morning, which will make it bumpy and tricky. The swell is around 4ft to 6ft, but the quality won't be great.

Sunday the 23rd is a return to form. The morning looks sweet with a 6ft SSW swell, a 13-second period, and a light cross-off, almost glassy. Energy is solidly moderate (1105). This is another good window. The afternoon gets a bit crossed up, but the morning session is the one.

Monday the 24th and Tuesday the 25th both offer clean, consistent waves in the 6ft range from the SSW. The energy is moderate (around 900-1000), with light cross-off winds in the mornings. These are your everyday, reliable surf days – just over head-high and fun.

Wednesday the 26th is a poor day. The wind swings to a moderate cross-onshore from the NE, and things get choppy. The swell drops to 4ft, and by the afternoon it’s all over the place with a short-period E swell. This is a day to stay on land.

Thursday the 27th has a fresh cross-off wind and marginal waves in the morning, but the afternoon is a complete write-off with a weak 3ft E swell.

Friday the 28th is messy again with onshore winds and a long-period SSW swell (15 seconds), but the surface will be blown out.

The weekend of the 29th and 30th is back to mixed conditions. Saturday the 29th has moderate cross-off winds and surf in the 5-5ft range – clean but average. Sunday the 30th is windier, with a fresh cross-off and dropping swell, down to 3ft.

Looking further out, Monday the 31st sees a big jump in size. A 8-8ft SSW swell with a 15-second period rolls in, but it's compromised by cross-onshore and onshore winds. The energy is strong (2095-2473), but the quality won't be there. Then the first of September brings in strong onshore E winds and poor, lumpy conditions for a couple of days. That’s a stretch of about 3-4 days where the Fence just won’t be worth it.

So, if you’re picking your moments, that Thursday morning and afternoon on the 20th is the powerful, expert-only highlight. For most of us, the mornings of the 23rd, 24th, and 25th are the cleanest, most consistent windows.

Right, that’s the read on it. It’s got its moments, that’s for sure.

Stay stoked,
Rusty

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