Castlepoint - The Gap Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G'day, Rusty here. Look, we've got a mixed bag ahead at Castlepoint - The Gap over the next couple of weeks. The first few days are a write-off, and then we get a big, gnarly pulse that's only for the brave. Let's break it down.

We start off with nothing worth mentioning for Thursday the 13th and Friday the 14th. The wind is messy or just flat, and the swell is tiny with weak energy (195) and a short period of 8 seconds. Friday morning is glassy and clean with a little 2ft swell from the ENE, but it's just not enough to get excited about.

The real story starts on Sunday the 16th. A strong southerly swell hits, but it comes with a near-gale cross-shore wind. The energy is massive at (1411), but it's just a howling, chopped-up mess. This is followed by Monday and Tuesday with more big southerly swell – we're talking 10ft to 12ft – but it's still cross-shore and lumpy. For most, this will be a kite-surfing show, not a paddle session.

Now, Wednesday the 19th is the standout, but with a massive caveat. The morning has a 13ft S swell on a 14-second period, and the wind is cross-off and clean. The energy is a colossal (6431). This is a *very* long-period groundswell. For a reef or point break, that would be world-class, but at a sheltered beach break like The Gap, those long-period swells can break too straight and close out. It is way over 8ft, so experts only. The afternoon gets even bigger at 15ft with a 15-second period and energy through the roof at (14085). It's a beast, but likely too big even for the faithful.

Thursday the 20th is your best bet for experienced surfers. The swell drops to a still solid 10ft from the south, period at 12 seconds, and the morning is glassy with a light westerly cross-off. The energy is still very strong (3769), but the clean conditions make it much more manageable than the days before. This is your window if you've got the skills.

Into the second week, things settle down. Friday the 21st has a nice clean 6ft south swell at 11 seconds with offshore winds in the morning. The energy is moderate (706), and it looks like a fun, clean option. Saturday the 22nd is also good with clean offshore winds and a 4ft south swell. After that, the surf fades into very small, weak swells with fresh offshore winds that are just a bit too strong for quality waves. There's a bump on Monday the 24th afternoon with a 7ft S swell and a solid 13-second period, but it comes with a moderate cross-off wind, making it just a marginal option.

The real standout for the whole period is undeniably Wednesday the 19th – the sheer size and power of that swell is something special – but it’s a beast that demands respect. For the more sensible surfer, Thursday the 20th morning at The Gap is the session to aim for: big, clean, and powerful, but with a window of glassy conditions.

The water is about average for this time of year. It’s been a long wait, but there’s some serious grunt coming.

Rusty.

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