The Point (Gonubie Bay) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty, and I’ve been staring at the charts for The Point (Gonubie Bay) and, well, it’s a pretty grim stretch ahead. This point break is a solid setup when it’s on, but for the next 16 days, there’s hardly a session worth paddling out for. The water is running at 61°, which is a whopping 7° colder than normal for this time of year – that’s seriously unusual, so you’ll want a thick wetsuit if you’re even thinking about it.

The first week is a write-off. From Wednesday 9th September all the way through to Saturday 13th, the swell is tiny – mostly 1 ft to 2 ft – with short periods, weak combined energy (47 to 327), and cross-shore or cross-onshore winds that leave the surface chopped and messy. The wind is blowing from the ENE and ESE, and it’s just not happening. The only flicker of hope comes on Monday 14th September afternoon: the wind drops to a light 3 mph cross-offshore from the NNE, and the conditions clean up. The swell is only 2 ft from the SSW with a 13-second period, and combined energy is a weak 131, but it’s the cleanest we’ll see all week. The waves are surfable, but don’t expect much push.

That little window closes fast. Tuesday 15th and Wednesday 16th see the swell bump up to 5 ft and even 8 ft on Wednesday afternoon, but with nasty cross-shore winds at 19 mph, the surface is lumpy and the energy is all over the place. The 8 ft swell has a 8-second period, so it’s a messy, short-period dump – not inviting for a point break.

The second week doesn’t offer much relief. Thursday 17th September morning shows a 6 ft southerly swell with a 9-second period and a light onshore wind, but it’s only marginal at best. The winds pick up again through Friday 18th and Saturday 19th, with strong cross-shore breezes up to 28 mph, making for a messy cross-chop. The swell drops off to 2 ft to 2 ft with long periods up to 16 seconds, but the wind ruins any chance of quality.

The only other glimmer is on Monday 21st September morning: a 5 ft southerly swell with a 7-second period, light cross-onshore breeze, and combined energy of 535. It’s a marginal call, and the short period makes it a bit junky. By Monday afternoon, the wind swings to 19 mph SW, and the energy jumps to 953, but it’s lumpy again.

The rest of the run into Wednesday 24th is small, windy, and flat. No standout sessions here, folks. The Point is a great wave, but this forecast is a dud. Hang in there – forecasts can change.

Rusty.

Read more