Third Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s get into it. The next couple of weeks are going to be a bit of a mixed bag, so let’s be real about what we’re working with. There’s a definite gap at the start with nothing worth paddling out for, so don’t rush to wax up just yet. But there’s a small window of promise if you’re patient and picky.

The first real chance we get is on Sunday afternoon, the 23rd of August. It’s not big, around 5ft, but the wind is dead calm and it’s glassy. That’s a huge plus. The swell is from the NW with a short 8-second period, so it’s a bit mushy and fatigue-inducing, not a lot of push. It’s a reef break, so that short period isn’t ideal, but the clean conditions will make it the best thing on offer for days. The energy is moderate at 495. It’s not a standout, but it’s the only time the ocean is really cooperating. Expect a few other folks out, but it’s not going to be a zoo.

After that, we slide back into a pretty poor run of conditions. The wind swings onshore and the surf quality drops way off. There’s a period from the 24th to the 31st where it’s mostly poor, with some marginal moments, but nothing worth your time. The swell stays small, the wind gets messy, and it’s just a grind.

Now, the one to circle on your calendar is Wednesday morning, September 2nd. This is the standout across the whole window. It’s still a week and a half out, so treat it as promising, not guaranteed, but the setup looks proper. The swell is 5ft from the W with a 9-second period, and the wind is totally glassy, calm. The water temp is about normal for this time of year, no weird anomalies. The combined energy is a solid 625, which means there’s some real push behind it. This is the cleanest, most powerful surf we’re going to see. The reef will be handling it well. This is your session. It’s not huge, but it will be clean, and that makes all the difference. The paddling out won’t be a struggle either due to the moderate period. Keep an eye on this one. The afternoon of that same day looks like it gets a bit cross-onshore, so get out early.

The final couple of days trail off into more average, choppy conditions with the wind messing things up again. There’s plenty of swell energy on the 28th (1127!) but the wind is all over it, making it messy and blown out. That’s more of a kite-surfing day than a clean paddle session.

So, to sum it up: don’t bother with the empty days, wait for that glassy Sunday afternoon if you’re desperate, but the real gem is the glassy Wednesday morning on the 2nd of September. That’s the one.

Rusty

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