Udo Shrine Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let’s talk about Udo Shrine (Japan). This is a reef set-up that likes a south swell, and it’s been pretty inconsistent lately. We’ve got a long 16-day window ahead, but the honest truth is there’s a whole lot of nothing for the first week and a half. The water temp is sitting about average for the time of year, so nothing wild there.

From now through to the 10th of September, it’s pretty grim. The wind is mostly cross-onshore or onshore, gusting from 9 to 16 mph, and the swell is short-period, messy, and often accompanied by thunderstorms and rain. The wave energy is weak to moderate, with readings like 62 (31 August morning) climbing to 654 (2 September morning), but the quality is just not there. By 3 September, we’re seeing 6 ft to 7 ft of SE swell, but it’s all cross-onshore, choppy, and not worth paddling out for. This stretch is a write-off for decent surf.

Then the real interest kicks in on the 11th of September. That Friday morning offers a big 16 ft east swell, with a period of 12 seconds, cross-off wind from the WNW at 12 mph, and clean conditions. The wave energy is immense (6618), and while the swell is big—over 8 ft—this is expert territory only. The direction is more east than the optimum south, but the quality is there. The afternoon eases slightly to 15 ft, lighter NW wind at 6 mph, still cross-off, and described as excellent for experienced surfers. That Friday is the standout, no question.

After that, the 12th sees a drop to 6 ft from the ESE, cross-on NE wind, and white noise. The 13th brings some south swell with a 13-second period on the morning, but it’s cross-on and only marginal. The 14th and 15th show big swell (10 ft to 15 ft) but with strong onshore winds and poor conditions, so nothing to get excited about.

Bottom line: If you’re an expert, the 11th of September is the only real window. Everything else is a pass.

Rusty.

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