Castlepoint - The Gap Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, let’s take a look.

We’ve got a bit of a mixed bag coming up for The Gap at Castlepoint over the next couple of weeks. The standout window is Tuesday, July 28th, and the early part of the week looks solid too. The water's sitting at 54.7°, which is pretty much average for this time of year, nothing to write home about.

The first wave of proper swell hits Sunday morning the 26th. It’s a bit disorganised with a short 8-second period and moderate energy (1046), but the wind is light and cross-off, keeping the surface clean. Swell is 6.2ft from the S, but the optimum direction here is ESE, so it's a bit off angle.

Monday the 27th looks marginal. The morning has 4.9ft ESE swell at a decent 13 seconds, and the cross-off wind will keep it clean, but the energy is high (1257) for the size, suggesting it might be a bit fat or tide-dependent. The afternoon drops off with a cross wind that brings a chop, so not the best.

Now, Tuesday, July 28th is the pick of the forecast. You’ve got a clean 7.2ft ESE groundswell pushing in with a solid 13-second period, strong energy (1712), and a light offshore wind out of the W during the morning. This is going to be proper, lined-up waves, particularly as the optimum direction matches. Just keep in mind the water temp is nothing special, and with 'often' crowds, you won’t be alone. This one is for the competent surfer – that size is more than enough to separate the pack.

Wednesday the 29th still has rideable shoulders. The morning session offers a clean 5.9ft at 13 seconds with a cross-off breeze. The energy is still moderate (1085), so a second good day for a paddle, just a notch down from Tuesday.

Then it fades. Thursday and Friday drop in size and quality, with the wind staying cross-off but the energy sinking fast. By the weekend, August 1st and 2nd, a strong S swell hits (13.1ft on Saturday afternoon), but with a howling 25 mph cross wind and messy conditions, it’s a write-off for paddle surfing. That kind of setup is more for the kites out there.

Into the second week, we see a bit of a pulse around Wednesday, August 5th morning – a clean 3.6ft S swell at 12 seconds with light cross-off wind (591 energy). It's acceptable but nothing to write home about. Friday, August 7th afternoon also has a clean 3.6ft SE swell with a moderate offshore wind (418 energy), a decent little session if you're desperate.

After that, it trickles away to very small clean surf, barely pushing 2.6ft. There is no standout in the second week. The best of this whole forecast is without a doubt Tuesday, July 28th.

Stay safe out there.

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