Castlepoint - The Gap Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty, and I’ve got a good look at what’s coming up for Castlepoint - The Gap. Let’s get into it.

The start of the period is a slow grind, and honestly, it’s a bit of a bummer for the first few days. There’s some small swell, but it’s all wrapped up in onshore winds and messy conditions, so you’re not missing much. It’s not until the 11th of September that we see the first real chance at a wave.

On Friday morning, the 11th, we get a bit of a pulse. A 5ft S swell with a short period of 7 seconds pushes in, but the wind is light offshore and clean. The combined energy is moderate (425). It’s not a world-beater, but it’s the first sign of life. The setup is a bit raw for a beginner, though, with that short period making it a little lumpy.

Now, the standout for the whole run is undeniably the morning of Sunday, the 13th of September. The forecast is calling for a massive 16ft S swell, with a period of 12 seconds, coming in with a strong offshore WNW wind. The combined energy reading is a massive 10269, which is a serious amount of power. But, and this is a big but, the guidance says the swell is predicted to be too big for The Gap. This is expert-only territory, and only for the most experienced. The wind will be strong offshore, making it clean, but paddling into that beast will be a mission. A real handful.

If you’re not in that elite crew, the following Monday morning, the 14th of September, is your better bet. An 12ft S swell with a 13-second period, combined energy of 3884, and a light offshore WNW wind. The call is for excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers. It’s still big, but more manageable than the day before.

The rest of the second week stays fun, with a steady run of S swells, mostly in the 5ft to 8ft range, with clean offshore winds. The Tuesday morning of the 15th is a solid pick with a 6ft S swell at 12 seconds and a slight offshore breeze, giving you 1008 combined energy and very good conditions. The afternoon of the 18th of September also looks tidy with a 8ft S swell and fresh offshore wind.

Keep an eye on the water temp. For the first break I mentioned, the 11th, there’s no anomaly noted, so it feels about average for this time of year. Nothing to worry about there.

As for crowds, The Gap is listed as “often” crowded, so when the swell is good, expect company. The waves are best on the offshore WNW wind, which aligns with the guidance’s optimum direction. The 18-second period on the first small swell is a sign of some long-period groundswell, which can be a bit straight at a beach break, but The Gap is a more sheltered spot, so it should hold up.

So, to sum it up: the start is a write-off, but from the 11th onwards, it gets interesting. The 13th is a monster for experts only, and the 14th and 15th mornings are the real sweet spots for the rest of us.

Rusty.

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