Castlepoint - The Gap Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into it. Rusty here, checking in on the Castlepoint – The Gap stretch.

We’re starting off with a slow few days, so don’t be in a rush to paddle out just yet. The first real window of worthwhile surf shows up on Thursday, 27 August, but it’s a tricky one. Thursday morning has a solid 6.9ft southerly swell with a very long 17-second period, pumping a massive 2564 combined energy. Sounds promising, but the wind is onshore from the ESE at 9.3 mph, and with light rain, it’s going to be messy. The setup is sheltered, so it might not be a total washout, but the conditions are marginal. If you’re a beginner, this size is pushing it, and the quality just isn’t there for a good session. Thursday afternoon is a write-off – cross-onshore wind and poor conditions.

Friday, 28 August, is a step in the right direction. The swell drops to 4.6ft in the morning, still from the south, with a 13-second period (677 energy). The wind swings north at 9.3 mph, coming cross-offshore, and the forecast says clean. It’s a decent option for a session, but not a standout. The afternoon holds similar conditions with 4.3ft swell, so you’ve got a full day of rideable, clean waves.

Saturday, 29 August, the swell backs right off to under 3.3ft. The wind is cross-off from the northwest, but the energy is weak (280 and 228), and the surf is just poor. Not worth a paddle.

Sunday, 30 August, has offshore winds from the WNW all day, but the swell is tiny – 1.3ft to 3.0ft. The energy is low (124-289), and it’s just not doing anything. The water temp is about 53.4°F, which is 1.3°F cooler than average for this time of year – nothing unusual, just a typical chilly winter morning.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Monday, 31 August, is the first real standout. Swell pumps up to 9.8ft from the south with a 12-second period, and the combined energy is a solid 2189. The wind is offshore from the WNW at 9.3 mph – gentle, clean conditions. This is for experienced surfers only; 9.8ft is well over the 8.2ft mark, so it’s expert territory. The morning session is excellent, but be aware – the long period (12 seconds) means the sets will be powerful and the gaps between them longer. The Gap is a sheltered spot, so it should handle the size well, but the crowd factor is listed as “often,” so expect some company. The afternoon stays big at 8.2ft but the wind ramps up to 24.9 mph, making it hard to paddle into.

Tuesday, 1 September, keeps the energy going. Another 9.8ft southerly swell, this time with a shorter 11-second period, but the energy is huge at 4070. Morning wind is light from the WSW, cross-offshore, and clean. Again, this is for experts only. The afternoon has the same size, but the wind shifts northeasterly and creates some cross-chop. Still, the size is impressive.

After Tuesday, the swell fades quickly. Wednesday, 2 September, has 6.2ft with strong offshore winds, but the wind is howling at 28.0 mph – too strong for a good paddle, even though the waves are clean. The energy drops to 1047. From Thursday, 3 September, through to Tuesday, 8 September, we’re in a flat spell. Swell heights are below 3.3ft, often below 1.6ft, with energy readings as low as 8. The wind is mostly offshore, but there’s just no wave to ride. The Gap is basically a lake for that whole week.

Things start to pick up again on Wednesday, 9 September, with a 4.3ft southerly swell, 11-second period, and 411 energy. Morning wind is light offshore from the WNW, and it’s clean. Not a massive session, but after a week of nothing, it’s a welcome sight. The afternoon gets ruined by a light onshore breeze.

Thursday, 10 September, has a 3.9ft swell from the ENE, but the period is a short 7 seconds, so the energy is weak (216). The morning is clean enough, but ordinary. The afternoon sees a 7.5ft northeasterly with a short 8-second period and cross-shore wind – not great.

Finally, Friday, 11 September, offers a bit of hope. The morning is glassy – no wind at all – with a 3.0ft northeasterly swell, 10-second period, and 150 energy. It’s small, but glassy conditions are always a treat. The afternoon, though, is a wildcard: an 11.5ft southerly swell rolls in with a 10-second period and 2007 energy, but the wind is onshore from the east. That’s a lot of size with poor wind; only for the die-hards.

So, the real highlights are the mornings of Monday, 31 August,

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