The Patch Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here again. Let’s talk about The Patch in feet and miles.

The water’s a touch warmer than usual for this time of year, sitting at around 60°, which is a nice little bonus.

Right, the outlook starts on Tuesday the 11th of August, but the first few days are a total dud. The swell is small and sloppy, and the wind is either on or cross-onshore, making for poor surf conditions. The combined swell energy is moderate, but the waves are only about 3-4 feet with a short period, so it’s all chop. Not worth it.

We’ve got a gap in the quality until the end of the week. By Friday the 14th, the swell drops right off to ankle-snappers with a very long period from the SW, but it’s only 2 to 2 feet. The wind is mostly cross or cross-onshore. It’s marginal at best.

Saturday the 15th and Sunday the 16th are still small. The swell stays under 3 feet, but the period is long from the SW. The wind on Sunday morning is light and cross-shore, which is a step up, but the waves are still small and weak. The Sunday afternoon brings a clean cross-off wind, but the swell is still tiny.

The first real standout comes on Tuesday the 18th of August. The morning session is the pick of the first week. You’ve got a 2-foot SW groundswell with a very long 15-second period, light cross-off winds, and clean conditions. The combined energy is moderate. This is a classic morning for a longboard. The crowds at The Patch are "sometimes", so you might have a few mates out.

Wednesday the 19th and Thursday the 20th are similar in size (2 feet), with clean conditions again on the Thursday morning. It’s consistent small-wave goodness.

The second week is all about clean, tiny surf. From Friday the 21st through to Wednesday the 26th of August, the swell holds at 1 to 3 feet. The standout is Sunday the 23rd of August. The morning session has a 1-foot SW groundswell with a very long 19-second period, light cross-off wind, and good conditions. The energy is moderate. It’s tiny, but for a patient surfer with a log, that long period will give you a smooth, gliding wave.

Then Monday the 24th of August morning is another one: 2-foot SW swell with an 18-second period, light cross-off wind, and clean.

The Wednesday the 26th of August morning sees a 1-foot SW swell with a 19-second period, but the wind is a light cross-onshore, so it’s not as clean.

Overall, the second week is a run of very small but often clean waves. The best days are the 18th, 23rd, and 24th of August mornings. Don’t expect anything overhead, and don’t bother with the first week.

Rusty.

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