The Wedge Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, and I’ve got to be straight with you – the next 16 days at The Wedge are looking pretty grim. The water’s a balmy 73°F, which is a massive 6°F warmer than usual for this time of year – that’s very unusual, almost like the ocean’s been sitting in a hot tub. But the surf? It’s barely a whisper.

We kick off on Tuesday afternoon, September 8th, with a tiny 3ft SSW swell, but the wind is a cross-off 16 mph WNW breeze, making it clean. The combined energy is moderate (415). The problem is, the whole run is full of marginal or poor conditions. The Wedge is a breakwater setup, and it’s fairly consistent, but the swell is just too small and the wind keeps switching onshore or cross-onshore for most of the period.

Wednesday morning, September 9th, drops to 2ft SW swell with a 16-second period – that’s a long-period groundswell, but it’s tiny. Wind is light and cross, so the surface is clean, but there’s barely any energy (274). The afternoon is a bit better with 2ft SW, but still nothing to get excited about.

Thursday, September 10th, through to Tuesday, September 15th, is a dead zone. The swell never gets above 3ft, and the wind is mostly onshore or cross-onshore, making it choppy and poor. The Wedge is not a beginner-friendly spot anyway, but with swell under 5ft and poor conditions, it’s not for anyone. The period on the 15th hits 20 seconds – very long period – but it’s only 1ft SW, so it’s just a ripple.

We finally see a glimmer on Wednesday, September 16th, with a 3ft SSW swell. The period is 18 seconds, and the wind is light onshore – still not ideal – but the combined energy is moderate (411). It’s still listed as marginal. Thursday the 17th is similar, 3ft SSW, but again marginal.

The best of a bad bunch looks like Monday, September 21st. The swell is 3ft to 3ft SW, with a 17-second period, and the wind is light cross-shore from the WSW. That’s clean, and the energy is moderate (412 to 462). The Wedge can work with a long-period SW swell, but it’s a breakwater, so expect it to be a bit straight. The crowds are likely to be present (often), and since it’s a well-known spot, you’ll have company.

Tuesday, September 22nd, has a similar 3ft SW swell, but the wind turns cross-onshore in the afternoon, spoiling it.

Honestly, there’s no standout week here. The first few days are the most reliable for tiny clean waves, but the longer-range stuff is just as small and uncertain. If you’re desperate, the morning of the 21st is your best bet.

Rusty.

Read more