Waimea Rivermouth Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming down the line.

We’re looking at a slow start at Waimea Rivermouth, but don’t let that fool you – there’s some proper energy setting up in the second week. The water’s sitting around 80°, which is bang on average for the time of year, so no surprises there.

Sunday the 26th is a gentle introduction. That south-southwest groundswell is pushing in at 3ft with a long 16-second period, and while the wave energy is moderate (464), the cross-off wind from the ENE is going to keep things tidy. It’s a good one for the beginners. The swell direction is a bit off the optimum S, but the consistency is there.

Monday the 27th is more of the same – solid 2ft SSW swell, clean, and with that lovely NE offshore wind in the morning. Glassy conditions on Tuesday morning the 28th with a light NNE wind make for some real clean peelers, even though the swell drops to 2ft and the period backs off a little. By Wednesday the 29th, we’re back up to 3ft SSW, still clean.

Now, a bit of a flat spot creeps in around the weekend of the 1st and 2nd of August. Saturday the 1st is a write-off – tiny 1ft SSW swell with moderate breeze, just not worth paddling for. That said, Sunday morning the 2nd of August fires up a decent 7ft easterly swell, but with a short 8-second period and strong energy (752). That’s going to be a bit dumpy and better left to the experienced crew – it’s a beach and reef setup so could get interesting for kites, not so much for a relaxed paddle.

The real standout in this whole outlook lands on Tuesday the 4th of August. That afternoon session is the one to circle. We’ve got a 6ft east swell with a long 12-second period, light cross-off wind, and a massive 859 combined energy. The direction matches the optimum S perfectly, and the period means proper groundswell, holding up nicely at this rivermouth. That’s the pick of the forecast.

The following days keep pumping. Wednesday the 5th holds 5ft east swell, still clean, and Friday the 7th afternoon sees a 3ft west swell with rain showers, but the energy is solid (638) and the wind stays favourable. The whole week from the 4th through to the 10th of August is stacked with clean surf, with the biggest energy days being the 9th (3ft S, 969 energy) and the 10th (5ft E, 552 energy).

Crowds at Waimea Rivermouth are marked as “sometimes”, so you might have a few others out, especially on the standouts, but it’s not going to be a zoo.

To wrap it up: the first week is small but clean, the middle weekend goes flat, then from the 4th of August onwards we’ve got some proper groundswell with great conditions. Tuesday the 4th afternoon is your best bet – that’s the one I’d be chasing.

Rusty.

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