Castlepoint - The Gap Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming down the line for our local patch.

The first notable surf appears on Monday the 24th of August. Before that, Sunday the 23rd is a total write-off with a near-gale howling offshore, making it nearly impossible to paddle into the tiny, poor quality waves. We’ve got a solid few days of action coming up, but there’s a bit of a lull later on.

The highlight of the whole run is going to be Monday the 24th of August at Castlepoint - The Gap. Monday morning kicks off with a clean 6ft swell from the SSW, and a gorgeous moderate offshore breeze from the WNW. The wave energy is seriously pumping – strong with a reading of 1261 and it only gets better in the afternoon. By then, the swell builds to 8ft from the same direction, the wind stays moderate and clean offshore, and the energy jumps to a very strong 1935. This is a sheltered spot, so that strong SSW groundswell with a 14-second period will wrap in nicely, offering some really well-shaped, powerful waves. It’s not one for the beginners at that size, but for the experienced crew, this is the pick of the week.

Tuesday the 25th is still good, but a step down. The morning sees a clean 4ft SSW swell with a gentle offshore breeze (moderate energy at 495). The period drops a touch, but it’s still a nice, long-period groundswell that will hold its shape. The afternoon gets smaller and a bit windier, so make the most of the morning.

We get a bit of a mixed bag after that. Wednesday the 26th is surfable but very ordinary, with clean but fading 3ft swell. Thursday the 27th has a bit more size at 5ft, and a very long 17-second period in the afternoon, but the wind is fresh and the conditions are only marginal. Friday the 28th turns sloppy with a cross-off shore wind ruining the 4ft swell.

The next real standout is on Monday the 31st of August. The afternoon session is the one to aim for. The swell is a solid 7ft from the SSW, with a 12-second period generating very strong energy (1102). The wind is a whisper-light cross-off, leaving the surface clean. That’s a serious session if you can get on it.

Then we get a big, powerful spell for the experts. Tuesday the 1st of September is a big day. The morning has a clean 8ft S swell with a very long 16-second period (very strong energy at 3891), but a fresh offshore breeze. The afternoon is the absolute peak for experienced surfers: a clean 8ft S swell, 15-second period, and a moderate offshore breeze. The energy is a massive 3297. This is a serious, powerful, long-period groundswell. At this size, it’s experts only. The point break setup at The Gap should handle it beautifully, but the period is so long the sets will be big and widely spaced.

After Tuesday the 1st, the wind turns nasty again on Wednesday the 2nd (near gale), and the surf drops right off. We get a brief window on Thursday the 3rd with a clean 3ft swell, but the period is a massive 21 seconds, which can make for a weird, straight wave at the beach. The real gem in the second week is Sunday the 6th of September. The morning and afternoon both offer a clean 6ft to 7ft SSW swell with a gentle offshore breeze. The energy is strong (1059-1221) and periods are a nice 12-13 seconds. That’s a fantastic, clean, powerful day for anyone with a bit of experience.

The water temperature is about average for this time of year, so nothing unusual to report there.

So, to sum it up: Monday the 24th of August is the undoubted standout for the quality of the surf and the clean conditions. For the biggest, most powerful waves for the experienced crew, circle Tuesday the 1st of September. Sunday the 6th of September is a solid, promising option in the second week, but always a bit less certain that far out.

Stay safe and I’ll see you in the water.

Rusty

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