Castlepoint - The Gap Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, lookin’ at the forecast for Castlepoint – The Gap. This is a sheltered little beginner spot, and it’s a bit of a slow burn, but there’s a real standout window if you’re patient.

We’re starting off with a bit of a quiet spell. Sunday the 12th has a small 3ft south-southwest swell with a 13-second period, and the water temp is around 55°, which is pretty much average for this time of year. The morning light breeze has the surface clean, but the swell’s tiny. It’s a light day for energy (427). That afternoon, a cross-shore breeze kills it off completely. Monday and Tuesday are even smaller, with the combined energy dropping right down to 41 on Tuesday afternoon. We’ve got a few days there with nothing to write home about.

Wednesday the 15th afternoon finally shows a bit of life with a clean 1ft wave from the east-southeast, but it’s still very ordinary. Thursday picks up a touch with a 2ft, 14-second swell, but the cross-off wind keeps it from being any good. The standout for the first week is Friday the 17th afternoon. The wind swings offshore from the west-northwest, light, and the swell jumps to 5ft from the east-southeast with a 15-second period. That’s a solid groundswell, and the energy is pumping at 953. It’s still a beginner-friendly size, and the setup will be clean. This is the one to aim for early on.

Saturday the 18th gets messy with strong southerly winds, but then we hit the big one. Sunday the 19th morning is a cracker: 10ft of south swell at 18 seconds, with a clean offshore from the northwest. That’s massive energy (5778). Fair warning, this is expert territory – over 8ft and it’s only for the experienced crew. The Gap can handle it with the offshore, but it’s serious. The afternoon stays clean but the wind picks up a bit.

Monday the 20th morning drops to a still-juicy 6ft south swell, light wind, and clean. That’s a more manageable size for a confident beginner. Tuesday the 21st morning is another beauty: glassy conditions, 6ft south swell, 16-second period, and energy at 1878. That’s a top session.

Then it gets heavy again. Wednesday the 22nd morning pushes 12ft from the east, short period at 9 seconds, and Thursday the 23rd morning hits 15ft – that’s way too big for this break, and the forecast says as much. Those days are for the brave or the kites, not paddle surfing. The swell hangs around the 13ft mark through Friday and Saturday, gradually easing. Saturday the 25th afternoon drops to 7ft from the east, still big, but with clean conditions and that energy at 1242, it’s a solid option for experts.

The last few days of the window, from Sunday the 26th, we’re back to smaller, cleaner waves around 4-5ft, with energy fading. It’s a good wind-down, but nothing to get too excited about.

So, the best on offer: the Friday 17th afternoon for a clean, fun beginner-to-intermediate session, and the Tuesday 21st morning for that glassy, long-period south swell. The big Sunday 19th is the stand-out for the experts. Keep an eye on the long-range stuff – it’s promising, but we’re a week out, so take it with a grain of salt.

Rusty.

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