Winki Pop Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it. We’ve got a 16-day window, but it’s a slow starter this time. The first real call isn’t until this Saturday the 22nd, so you’ve got a couple of quiet days to sit on your hands. After that, there’s a decent pulse early next week, then a real sloppy patch mid-week, and a potentially ripping finish on the 5th of September if the long-range charts hold.

Overall Pattern: We’re looking at a building SW groundswell for the weekend, but the wind is going to be a bit of a scratchy cross-off. That said, when Winki Pop (Winki-Pop-V-I-C) has 13ft of SW swell pushing in with a 15-second period, and a moderate breeze out of the West holding it together, you know it’s game on. The water temp is about 56°, which is pretty much spot-on for the time of year – no surprises there.

Saturday, August 22nd is the standout of the first week. That morning session at Winki Pop is the one to circle. We’re talking a solid 13ft SW swell, moderate wave energy at 8819 – it’s got some serious weight behind it. The wind is cross-off from the West at 12 mph, which will keep the face clean. Now, 13ft is big water. This is for the experienced crew only – if you’re not comfortable on a big, powerful reef-and-point break, sit this one on the rocks and watch. The afternoon holds the same size and energy, still cross-off, still plenty of grunt.

Sunday, August 23rd, the swell drops back to a much more manageable 5ft, but it’s still a nice SW groundswell with a long 16-second period in the arvo. The wind goes offshore from the NW in the morning, and light offshore in the arvo – that’s clean, smooth lines. Energy is still moderate at 1612 in the afternoon. A good day for the strong intermediate to step up.

Monday the 24th and Tuesday the 25th offer smaller, cleaner surf. Monday has 3ft to 4ft SW swell with offshore NNW breezes – very user-friendly. Tuesday morning is a write-off with light rain and cross-on wind, but Tuesday afternoon turns glassy. The wind goes dead calm, and you’ve got 4ft of SW groundswell. That’s as clean as it gets. Paddling out will be a dream.

Then we hit a nasty patch from Wednesday the 26th through Monday the 1st of September. It’s mostly rain, strong onshore and cross-shore winds, and choppy, lumpy conditions. The swell is there but ragged. Not worth paddling out unless you’re desperate for a fight.

The Real Standout: Saturday, September 5th. This is the one that has me excited. The long-range charts are showing a solid 5ft SW swell but with a very long 17-second period. That’s true groundswell, and combined energy is a strong 1728. But here’s the clincher – the wind is a clean 16 mph offshore from the NNW all day. That means clean, groomed faces with plenty of power. For an advanced spot like Winki Pop, that’s about as good as it gets. The afternoon holds with 4ft and a 16-second period, still clean. That morning is in the conversation for the best session in this entire window.

The Verdict: Best waves on offer are Saturday the 22nd of August for the big-wave crew, and Saturday the 5th of September for quality, clean, powerful surf for the experienced. Don’t bother with the middle of the second week – it’s a right-off.

Rusty.

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