The Patch Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Gotta be straight with you – the next week and a bit is a real mixed bag at The Patch, but we’ve got some golden moments tucked away in the second week if you’re patient.

Right now, the water temp is sitting right around average for the time of year, so nothing wild there. The first few days are a write-off for a proper session. From Monday the 31st of August right through the middle of the week, we’re looking at small, weak, and mostly messy surf. The energy is there – moderate in the 200-500 range – but it’s plagued by cross and onshore winds, leaving the surface choppy or just plain poor. Wednesday the 2nd sees the swell drop to 1 ft to 2 ft, and the period jumps all over the place, even hitting 16 seconds, but it’s still too weak to do anything with.

Things start to look a little more promising from Friday the 4th afternoon onwards. The wind swings offshore and the swell holds around 3 ft from the SW with a solid 17–18 second period. That’s proper groundswell energy, registering 751 on the energy scale. The longer period means it’ll have more push and shape, but it can be a bit tricky at a beach break like The Patch – it might wall up a bit. Still, it’s clean.

Then, here’s the standout: Saturday morning, the 5th of September. Glassy conditions, clear skies, a light breath of wind from the SSW at just 3 mph. The swell is 3 ft from the SW, with a 16-second period. The energy is strong at 607, and the wave comment says “expect very good surf conditions.” That’s the one to circle. Sunday morning the 6th will be almost as good – glassy again, 3 ft swell from the SSW, 15 second period. It’s a real treat for a couple of mornings.

After that, the surf goes a bit wonky again through the middle of the week – wind shifts, shorter period windswell, and chop – but we’ve got another true standout at the end of the run. On Monday morning, the 14th of September, the swell builds to 6 ft from the WNW with a 9-second period. That’s powerful, with 720 on the energy scale, and it’s glassy. The next morning, Tuesday the 15th, is even better: 7 ft, still glassy, WNW direction, 10-second period, and energy at 861. “Expect very good surf conditions” again. That’s expert territory at 7 ft, but for the crew who can handle it, the conditions will be epic.

So, the plan: surf Saturday the 5th and Sunday the 6th mornings for the cleanest, most user-friendly waves. Then, if you’re advanced, wait for Monday the 14th and Tuesday the 15th mornings for the biggest, glassiest swell of the forecast. The periods in between? Mostly just a waiting game.

Rusty.

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