Trestles (Uppers) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G'day, Rusty here. Look, I’ve been staring at the charts for Trestles (Uppers) and it’s a bit of a mixed bag for the next couple of weeks. We’re looking at a long stretch of marginal, small surf before a solid pulse of energy arrives in the second week, but the wind is never quite perfect. The water temp is sitting pretty average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The first week is a grind. From Tuesday the 14th through to the 22nd, we’re dealing with tiny, weak swell that’s mostly cross-onshore. The combined energy figures are low, mostly in the 100s and 200s, with a few nudging into the 300s, but the surf is just too small to get excited about. The 14th sees a 2ft SSW swell (12 seconds) but with a 9 mph cross-onshore wind, it’s choppy and poor. That’s the story for days. Wednesday the 15th offers a 1ft SW swell, but the wind is onshore or cross-onshore, making it a write-off. Thursday the 16th has a brief 4ft W swell, but it’s short period (8 seconds) and cross-onshore, so it’s a messy, weak wave. The whole first week is a struggle – you’d be better off doing something else.

Then things start to shift. On Sunday the 19th, we get a jump in energy with a 4ft S swell (12 seconds) and the combined energy hits 871 (moderate), but the wind is light and onshore, so it’s still a questionable call. That pattern of light onshore or cross-onshore winds and marginal conditions continues through Monday the 20th and Tuesday the 21st, with swells around 3ft to 3ft. Nothing to write home about.

Now, the standout window is Wednesday the 22nd through to Saturday the 25th. This is where we get some proper size. On Wednesday the 22nd, a 6ft S swell (16 seconds) arrives with a combined energy of 2104 (strong). The wind is light and onshore in the morning, turning cross-onshore in the afternoon. For a spot like Trestles (Uppers), which is a reef and point setup, that long-period groundswell (16 seconds) is a good thing – it’ll wrap in nicely and offer some shape, though the long period can make it a little tricky at the beach breaks. That 6ft is pushing into the "too big for beginners" zone, but for advanced surfers, it’s game on. Thursday the 23rd holds similar size, with a 5ft S swell in the morning and a 8ft S swell in the afternoon (combined energy 2292, strong). That afternoon 8ft is solid, expert-level territory, but the wind is only light cross-onshore, so it’ll be a bit lumpy. Friday the 24th keeps the energy up with 6ft and 5ft S swells, but the cross-onshore wind picks up to 9 mph, chopping it up a bit. Saturday the 25th is the last day of the bigger stuff, with a 7ft SSW swell and a 6ft SSW swell, combined energy still strong in the 1800s, but again, cross-onshore wind.

The real pick for the best surf is Wednesday the 22nd. That 6ft S groundswell with a 16-second period, combined with the reef and point structure of Trestles (Uppers), will give you the best chance at a clean, powerful wave, despite the light onshore wind. The crowds here are *always* a factor, so expect a full lineup. For a more manageable, slightly smaller option, the morning of Thursday the 23rd with the 5ft S swell is a decent call, but the wind is still a question mark.

After Saturday the 25th, the swell drops off quickly. Sunday the 26th sees a 3ft SSW swell (19 seconds, very long period) but the combined energy is down to 1268, and the wind is light cross-onshore. That long period will be a bit too straight for the beach breaks, but the point should handle it okay. The final days, Monday the 27th to Wednesday the 29th, drop back to 3ft to 4ft swells with weak energy in the 400s to 900s, and the wind stays light and cross-onshore. It’s a fade-out.

So, to sum it up: the first week and a half is a write-off, then Wednesday the 22nd is your best shot at some real, sizeable, groundswell waves. Get there early for a peak.

Rusty.

Read more