Castlepoint - The Gap Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, folks, Rusty here again. Let's break down the surf at Castlepoint - The Gap.

It’s a slow burner, but there’s a couple of real gems hiding in this forecast if you’re willing to wait out the rubbish.

We start off on Thursday, 30th July, and it’s a no-go. There’s a 5ft swell from the ESE with a 12-second period, but a cross-off wind at 15 mph from the NNW is just ruining it. The combined energy is weak at 628. Don’t bother paddling out.

Friday, 31st July, is worse. The swell drops to 3ft and 2ft, and while the wind is offshore from the WNW, it’s a solid 18-25 mph. That’s too strong to get into anything.

The first real event is Saturday, 1st August. A big, raw 10ft SW groundswell hits with a 10-11 second period, but the wind is a strong cross-off and cross-shore at 22 mph. It’s lumpy, messy, and the combined energy is massive (2317-3380). This is a kite-surfing day, not a paddle session. Way too big and blown out.

Now, here’s the one you’ve been waiting for. Sunday, 2nd August, is the standout. The swell drops to a much more manageable 7ft, still from the S/SSE with an 11-second period, and the wind goes offshore and light. Sunday morning we have a gentle WNW breeze at 9 mph, and by the afternoon it’s glassy – just 3 mph offshore from the west. The water temp is about 54°, which is pretty average for the time of year, so you’ll want a steamer. The combined energy is moderate (1082-1558), so there’s plenty of push without being scary. The Gap is a sheltered spot, and with clean conditions like that, it’ll be a ripper session.

Monday, 3rd August, stays clean with a fresh offshore WNW wind at 18 mph, but the swell drops to 6ft, and the period stretches to 13 seconds. It’s surfable, but the wind is a bit strong for easy paddling.

Tuesday, 4th August, is another beast. A massive 13ft SSW swell with a 14-second period gives us a combined energy of 9419. That’s some serious power. The wind is cross-off at 18-25 mph, so it’s going to be a wild, raw ocean. This is strictly for experts only. The crowds are listed as “often” at The Gap, so you won’t be alone.

The rest of the first week stays active with 7-8ft swell, but the wind stays cross or cross-off, so it’s never as clean as that Sunday.

Looking into the second week, there’s another good window on Saturday, 8th August. You’ll get an 8ft SE swell with a 9-second period, and the wind is glassy – absolutely calm in the morning. The combined energy is decent at 1032. This is a solid, clean option. By Sunday, 9th August, the swell drops to 3ft, and the wind swings onshore, so it fades fast.

The final days, from the 10th to the 14th of August, are mostly poor. The wind is onshore or cross-on, and the swell is small or messy. There’s a brief moment on Tuesday, 11th August, with a 3ft NE swell and glassy conditions, but it’s very ordinary.

So, to sum it up: the first real winner is Sunday, 2nd August – circle that one. Clean, manageable swell, and light winds. The second one to watch is Saturday, 8th August, with glassy conditions and a bit more size. The rest of the forecast is mostly waiting for the wind to cooperate.

Hang tight, and you’ll get your share.

Rusty.

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