Castlepoint - The Gap Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, lookin’ at the Castlepoint region for the next couple of weeks. It’s a bit of a slow burner, but there are a couple of sessions that’ll have you frothing.

First thing to note, the water is sitting at 55°F, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year. Not a shocker, just normal.

The surf is going to be a bit of a non-event for the first few days. We’ve got tiny, weak swell and a cross-off wind on Wednesday the 15th, with the combined energy sitting at a measly 80. It’s a pass for paddle surfing. Thursday the 16th and Friday morning the 17th see the swell trying to pick up, but the conditions are still pretty ordinary. You’re really waiting for Friday afternoon the 17th.

That’s when it starts to get interesting. The wind swings to a light, clean cross-off, and a 2 ft swell from the S rolls in with a solid 15-second period. The combined energy jumps to 2125, which is a proper boost. This is where the Castlepoint - The Gap (New Zealand) comes into its own. The Gap is a sheltered spot, and with that ESE optimum direction, it’s groomed to handle this S swell. The sets will be clean and powerful, but at 2 ft, it’s not for the faint-hearted. It’s excellent for experienced surfers.

Then Saturday the 18th is a real standout. The morning is a bit messy with a fresh offshore wind, but the afternoon... wow. We’re looking at a 5 ft S swell, but with a staggering 23-second period. That’s a very long-period groundswell, and the combined energy hits 2982. The wind is a gentle offshore from the WNW, keeping it glassy. This is the one to circle. The Gap will handle that long-period energy beautifully, producing long, clean walls. The crowd situation is “often” here, so you might have some company, but for waves like that, it’s worth it.

Sunday the 19th and Monday the 20th still have plenty of size, with the 20th offering glassy conditions on a 7 ft morning swell. That’s getting big, and at The Gap, it’s a sheltered spot, so it might be a bit of a beast. Definitely for the experienced crew only.

After that, the swells back off. The second week is a bit of a letdown. The 22nd and 23rd offer some clean, offshore conditions but the swell drops to 3 ft to 4 ft. It’s rideable, but nothing to write home about. The 24th onwards into the end of the month is mostly small, weak, and often messy. The 30th of July has a rogue 10 ft SSW swell showing up, but with a short 10-second period and a cross-shore wind, it’ll be a choppy, dangerous mess at The Gap. A proper kite surfing day, not a paddle surfing one.

So, to sum it up: the best of the best is the Saturday afternoon, July 18th at Castlepoint - The Gap (New Zealand). That very long-period S swell with the gentle offshore wind is a dream combo. The Friday afternoon, July 17th is also a top call. Get in the water.

Rusty.

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