Waimarama Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, crew, Rusty here. We’re looking at a pretty bleak start across the board for our region. The first few days are a write-off with tiny, weak swell and poor surf conditions, so don’t bother paddling out just yet.

The first real hope shows up on Monday, September 7th. It’s not a standout, but there’s a pulse of swell coming through at Waimarama (beach and reef). The morning sees a 4ft swell from the NNE, but with a short period of only 6 seconds, it’s going to be pretty weak and disorganised. The combined swell energy is moderate (142), and with a light cross-offshore wind, you might find a few surfable waves, but the conditions are very ordinary.

Things take a big turn for the better on Tuesday, September 8th. This is the standout session of the whole outlook, no question. The Tuesday morning at Waimarama is where it’s at. We’ve got a solid 8ft swell rolling in from the SSE, with a period of 9 seconds. The combined wave energy is pumping at a very strong (1890). The wind is blowing offshore from the SW (30 km/h), which will keep the faces clean. This is excellent surf, but at that size (over 8ft), it’s really for experienced surfers only. Beginners, sit this one out. The afternoon drops a touch to 8ft with cross-offshore wind, still good but the morning is the clear winner.

The water temp is sitting at 54°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so you’ll want a decent wetsuit.

After that Tuesday peak, we’ve got a mixed bag. Wednesday the 9th is a step down with weaker swell and cross-onshore winds, so not worth rushing for. Thursday the 10th and Friday the 11th are mostly small and poor, with the Friday afternoon bringing strong winds up to 25 mph that will chop things up.

We get another spike on Saturday, September 12th. The afternoon session shows a 10ft swell from the S, with a 12-second period, and combined energy hitting very strong (2573). The wind is cross-offshore from the S at 15 mph. It’s a massive wall of water, but the forecast calls it “marginal” – likely due to tide or wind texture. This one’s for experts only again, and keep your expectations in check.

Sunday the 13th holds onto some size (7ft) with offshore winds in the afternoon, which will be clean but not quite the quality of the Tuesday session.

Looking further out, Tuesday, September 15th is another promising day. The morning offers a 5ft S swell with a long 14-second period, and a light cross-offshore breeze. Combined energy is strong (903). That long-period groundswell should set up nicely at Waimarama’s reef sections, offering well-shaped lines with long waits between sets. It’s a good call for a paddle session.

The afternoon of the 15th goes glassy, which is rare and beautiful, with 4ft waves. If you can get out, it’ll be clean as a whistle.

After that, the last week of the outlook is inconsistent. There’s a pulse on Thursday the 17th with offshore wind and a 6ft swell from the ENE, but it’s a short 7-second period, so it’ll be crumbly. The following days into the 20th are mostly cross-onshore and choppy, with the swell picking up again to 8-10ft on Sunday the 20th, but with poor wind direction and chop making it a messy prospect.

Best on offer: The Tuesday, September 8th morning session at Waimarama is your standout. Big, clean, powerful surf for the experienced crew. The Tuesday, September 15th morning is a close second for those who prefer a more manageable size with longer period groundswell.

Stay salty, and don’t force it when it’s flat.
Rusty

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