White Rocks Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, let's see what we've got for White Rocks.

Right, White Rocks is the only show in town for this forecast period, so we're sticking with it. The whole setup is for an exposed NW swell window, and the optimum direction is NW, so we're basically looking for that combo.

We've got a bit of a slow start here. The very beginning of the period, Monday the 14th, is just tiny. We're talking 2ft of weak WNW swell at 9 seconds, with total energy of 69. It's clean enough, with a light S wind blowing offshore, but it's just not going to get you out of bed.

Tuesday the 15th picks up a bit, with a 4ft WNW swell at 10 seconds, and energy jumps to 267, but the wind is a fresh 19 mph cross-off, then goes cross. It's messy, and the forecast agrees, calling it poor.

Wednesday and Thursday the 16th and 17th see the swell building. Wednesday morning has 6ft NW swell at 11 seconds (energy 738), but it's cross-shore and lumpy. Thursday afternoon gets proper, with an 8ft WNW swell at 12 seconds and energy screaming up to 2237, but a strong 25 mph cross-wind chops it to bits.

Now, here's where it gets interesting. Friday the 18th of September is a standout. The morning is *too* big, with 10ft NW swell at 13 seconds (energy 2760) – that's an expert-only paddling session. But the afternoon... oh, the afternoon. The swell drops to 8ft NW at 12 seconds, energy is still a meaty 1550, and this time we get a clean, moderate offshore wind from the SSW. This is the moment for experienced surfers. That NW swell combining with the right direction and clean wind means solid, powerful lines. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing to write home about.

Just a heads up, between the 19th and the 21st, the wind turns onshore or cross again, making the surf messy despite the size. It's a bit of a lull for quality.

Then, on Sunday the 20th, we get a moment of magic. Late afternoon, the wind drops to glassy – literally 0 mph from the NNW. The swell is a mammoth 10ft NW at a very long 14 seconds, with energy at 3038. It's glassy, it's big, and it's lined up. Again, this is expert territory. That long period groundswell will be holding up beautifully, but it's going to be heavy.

The next real highlight comes much later. Thursday the 24th of September afternoon. A new swell arrives, 7ft from the NW with a period of 17 seconds – that's a seriously long-period groundswell. Combined energy of 2161. The wind is a light cross-off from the ESE, keeping the faces clean. This is another excellent window for experienced surfers; the waves will have real grunt. The beginning of Friday the 25th also holds promise with a 5ft NW swell at 14 seconds and a clean offshore breeze.

After that, the swell fades out into the end of September, with very small surf and clean offshore winds. Good for a beginner on the small days, but the real action is those big, clean swells on the 18th, 20th, and 24th.

This is White Rocks, so it's an exposed spot. When it's big and clean, it's a thing of beauty. The crowds? The guidance says "sometimes", so you might have company, but it won't be a circus. Because the best days are big, this spot is really for the experienced crew when it's pumping. Keep an eye on those long-range windows.

Rusty.

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