Waipaoa River Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here, looking at the local setup for the next couple of weeks. Things kick off with a bit of a pulse, then we go quiet, before a promising long-range swell shows up.

The first action is on Thursday, July 9th, at the Waipaoa River. It’s an inconsistent sandbar that needs a specific swell and only works for advanced crew. Thursday morning brings a 6ft SSE swell with a period of 10 seconds and a cross-off wind. The wave energy is strong, sitting at 1000, and it’ll be clean. But there’s a risk of thunderstorms, and crowds are possible here. The south-facing exposure is right for this direction. By Thursday afternoon, the wind swings onshore and gets gusty, so grab the morning if you can.

Friday, July 10th, is a no-go for paddle surfing. The swell jumps to 10ft to 12ft, which is well into expert-only territory, even though the wind goes clean and cross-off in the afternoon. The combined energy hits a whopping 3921 in the PM, so there's plenty of power, but it’s too much for this spot.

Saturday, July 11th, is your standout of the first week. The morning shows an 8ft SE swell with a period of 10 seconds and light cross-off wind from the WSW at just 6 mph. The energy is strong at 2173, and the description says it’s excellent for experienced surfers. This is your window for a solid, clean session, with a light breeze holding it together. The swell drops to 6ft by the afternoon, still clean, but the morning is the pick.

Sunday, July 12th, has a smaller 5ft swell with glassy cross-off wind in the morning and a clean forecast. The energy is moderate at 506. It’s not a stand-out, but a decent option for a smaller board.

From Monday, July 13th, through to Wednesday, July 22nd, the surf goes flat or ordinary. There’s nothing worth a paddle for over a week. The swell drops below 3ft, periods are short, and winds are mostly poor or onshore. It’s a long, quiet stretch.

Now, around Thursday, July 16th, a new groundswell starts showing. Thursday morning brings a 4ft ESE swell with a very long period of 16 seconds and a clean, light cross-off wind. The energy is 738. This is a big period groundswell, which at a river mouth sandbar can produce long, tapering lines and make paddling out easier between sets. It’s still over a week out, so treat it as promising but not locked in. Friday, July 17th, holds 5ft of the same energy in the 13-second range with moderate offshore winds, though the conditions are called marginal. Saturday, July 18th, morning looks the best of this long-range window, with clean 4ft swell and light wind. But after that, the winds go cross and onshore for Sunday onwards, turning the surf into a choppy mess.

So, if you’re keen and advanced, the standout is Saturday morning, July 11th. For the long-range promise, keep an eye on Thursday morning, July 16th, for that long-period groundswell and clean conditions.

Rusty.

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