Wainui Beach - Schools Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, looking at what’s on offer ahead. We’ve got a solid spread coming up, but it kicks off with a serious dose of winter energy. The first few days are not for the faint-hearted – this is a big-groundswell setup that favours the experienced crew. Conditions then settle into a cleaner, more manageable window later on. The standout day looks like the Wednesday the 9th, with another interesting long-range pulse shaping up for the 16th.

We’re starting with Wainui Beach – Schools, an exposed beach-and-reef setup. The water is sitting at 55°, about two degrees colder than the long-term average for this time of year, so it’s a bit nippy.

Tuesday the 1st is a write-off for paddle surfing. Tuesday morning sees a heavy 11.5ft SSW swell with a 12-second period and a strong cross-shore wind. The combined energy is pumping at 4503, which is well into strong territory, but it’s simply too big and the wind messes it up. Tuesday afternoon drops to 6.2ft from the SSE, but the wind is cross-on and the forecast is marginal. Not the day to head out.

Wednesday the 2nd is the first real opportunity. On Wednesday morning we’ve got 5.6ft from the SSE, 14-second period, and a clean offshore from the NW. The energy is moderate at 1448, and the conditions are rated excellent for experienced surfers. The long period means it’ll have plenty of push and the outer banks might hold, but the beachie could get a bit walled up – keep it for the reef sections. Wednesday afternoon drops off with light cross-on wind, so the morning is the call.

Thursday the 3rd keeps the trend going. Morning offers 3.9ft from the SSE at 13 seconds, clean offshore, and combined energy of 506 – moderate but very surfable. Thursday afternoon turns glassy with 3.0ft – a mellow session if you just want clean little runners.

Friday the 4th and Saturday the 5th are small and ordinary. Dropping into the 1.0ft to 1.6ft range with offshores, you could still get a fun ankle-snapper on the right tide, but nothing to get excited about.

Sunday the 6th and Monday the 7th are poor. Small swell and messy cross-shore winds kill the quality. Monday afternoon does see a 4.3ft spike from the south but with a short 6-second period and a fresh cross-onshore – lumpy and not worth it.

Now, the first standout – Tuesday the 8th. We’ve got 7.5ft from the SSE at 12 seconds, with a clean offshoring WNW breeze in the morning. The energy is 1548, solid moderate-to-strong. The forecast says it might be too big for the break, but for experienced surfers, the reefs should handle it. The afternoon holds 6.9ft with light cross-onshore wind – still grunty but less clean. Tuesday morning is the pick if you’ve got the skill.

The best of the first week is Wednesday the 9th. Morning brings 6.9ft from the SSE at 14-second intervals, clean offshore from the NW, combined energy of 1835. That’s strong, long-period groundswell with excellent wind – the reefs will be peeling. This is the one to circle. Afternoon drops to 6.6ft with a light cross-on, still decent but the morning is superior.

Thursday the 10th and Friday the 11th offer a nice run of smaller but clean waves. 4.6ft to 3.6ft from the SE at 11 seconds, gentle offshore winds, combined energy around 250-450. Good for logs or mid-lengths.

Saturday the 12th has a morning of 2.3ft with offshores – tiny but clean – and the afternoon picks up to 4.6ft with a cross-off breeze and energy of 464. That afternoon session is a solid option.

Sunday the 13th and Monday the 14th are a letdown. Onshore winds, short periods, and poor quality. The combined energy stays low. Skip it.

Tuesday the 15th is also poor with choppy winds.

Now the second-week standout – Wednesday the 16th. The morning session delivers 6.2ft from the SSE at a very long 16-second period, with glassy conditions. Combined energy is 1970 – strong groundswell and perfect wind. The long period means the point and reef will hold beautifully, though the beachbreak might be a bit fat. This is a quality long-range call, so keep an eye on it. Afternoon sees 5.2ft with a gentler cross-shore, still decent but morning is the go.

Overall, the first week has two big event days (the 8th and 9th), and the second week offers one promising glassy morning on the 16th. The rest is small or poor. Fair bit of time between good sessions, but when it’s on, it’s on proper.

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