The Gallows Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, it’s Rusty. Let’s get into what’s cooking at The Gallows for the next couple of weeks. This is a heavy reef for advanced surfers only, exposed to the west, and it breaks fairly consistently – but we need the right key to unlock it. The water’s 66°, which is a touch warmer than usual for this time of year, nothing crazy.

Right from the start, we’re looking at big, messy conditions. Wednesday September 2nd kicks off with a 12ft southwest swell, cross-on winds at 15 mph, and the combined energy is massive (3971). The wave comment says poor – no good. That afternoon the wind eases to a cross-shore at 9 mph, but the swell is simply too big for this break. This pattern holds through Thursday and Friday. Friday afternoon has a 16ft onshore wind with a 15-second period and a combined energy of 10663 – that’s insane power, but it’s way too much for a good session.

The first real hint of hope comes Sunday September 6th in the afternoon. We’ve got a 10ft groundswell from the west-southwest with a 17-second period, a clean cross-off wind from the south-southeast at 15 mph, and a combined energy of 9897. The conditions are clean, but the forecast still says the swell is too big. For an expert looking for a tow-in, maybe, but not for a normal paddle.

Monday and Tuesday look similar – huge swell (12ft) with long periods (16-17 seconds). Tuesday morning September 8th is the cleanest we see early on: a 3 mph easterly offshore wind, glassy conditions, with an 12ft swell from the west-southwest at a 17-second period. The combined energy is 7712. It’s beautiful wind-wise, but the swell height is a problem. If you’re a seasoned charger and the tide lines up, it might be your shot, but it’s a heavy one.

Wednesday September 9th is when things start to settle. The swell drops to 8ft from the west-southwest with a 15-second period, and a cross-off northeast wind at 15 mph keeps it clean. Combined energy is 2917 – much more manageable. The forecast is marginal, with questionable tide, so it’s a look-and-see day.

From then on, the swell fades further. Thursday the 10th has 6ft but a fresh cross-wind making it lumpy – not good. Friday the 11th sees 5-7ft with a very long 19-second period, but cross-on winds kill it. That long period will make the waves stand up, but with the wrong wind, it’s messy.

The best bet of the entire outlook? Tuesday September 15th, morning. Glassy conditions with a 3 mph southeast breeze, a 10ft southwest swell (13 seconds), and combined energy of 3183. The wind is perfect. But again, the guidance says the swell is still too big for this break. It’s a fine edge – maybe one or two of the deepest barrels, but risky.

After that, the second week is more of the same: Wednesday the 16th has a 10ft groundswell with an 18-second period and light cross-on winds – too big. Thursday the 17th drops to 8ft, but the wind is cross-on and choppy. The combined energy stays high.

Honestly, this is a tough call. There’s no clean, easy day for the average surfer. The swell is too big almost the whole time, and when it does drop, the wind isn’t cooperating. For the hardcore crew, Tuesday September 8th morning and Tuesday September 15th morning are the closest we get to clean conditions with a big, powerful groundswell, but you’ll be surfing a reef at 8-11ft with long periods. Not for the faint of heart.

No other spots in this area were reported, so this is it. Keep your eyes peeled – the forecast might shift and give us a smaller window with better wind.

Stay safe.

Rusty

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