Winki Pop Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here again for the imperial crew. Let’s break it down.

This whole 16-day run is basically just about Winki Pop, a reef-and-point number for the advanced only. Water temp is 57°F, which is about average for the time of year.

We’ve got a slow start, but Wednesday September 2nd gets the ball rolling. Wednesday morning shows clean surf at 2 ft from the SW, with a very long 16-second period. Combined wave energy is 1161. Winds are cross-off from the WNW at 12 mph. It’s clean, not perfect. Wednesday afternoon picks up: swell goes to 2 ft, still SW, 15-second period, offshore wind at 16 mph. That’s the sign of things to come.

Thursday the 3rd is a big step up. Morning swell hits 3 ft, afternoon roars to 5 ft, both SW, periods around 14 seconds. Combined energy goes from 4924 to a massive 9711. Wind is cross-off and 16 mph, so it’s clean but powerful. At that size (over 8 ft), it’s expert only. Beginners, sit this one out. Kite surfers would have a field day.

Friday the 4th is the absolute standout. Morning delivers 3 ft of SW swell with a 16-second period, combined energy of 2558. Wind is light offshore from the NW at 9 mph. Glassy, powerful, lined up. Afternoon is almost identical – 2 ft, same period, same light offshore. For experienced surfers, this is the session to chase. Long-period groundswell on a reef-point is a beautiful thing.

Saturday the 5th gets wrecked by wind. Offshore at 28 mph in the morning, cross-off at 25 mph in the afternoon. Swell is 2 ft to 3 ft, but paddling out is a chore. Not worth the hassle.

Sunday the 6th drops back. Clean 2 ft to 2 ft, light winds, but energy is weak – 1006 then 692. Surfable, but forgettable.

Then we hit a flat spell from Monday the 7th through Thursday the 10th. Monday has 0.9 ft slop, choppy – score zero. Tuesday the 8th has a brief window: clean 2 ft SW swell with an 18-second period in the morning, 17 seconds in the arvo, light offshore wind. That’s a short glassy moment for experts, but it’s isolated.

Wednesday the 9th and Thursday the 10th see the swell jump back to 3 ft and 3 ft, but with strong cross-winds at 19 mph, then onshore. Not good for paddling. Better for kites.

From Friday the 11th onward, it’s a slow fade. Clean but small – 2 ft down to 0.7 ft by the 16th. Light winds, but energy is under 1000 most days. A few clean mornings if you’re hunting ankle-biters.

The real highlight is Friday the 4th of September – both morning and afternoon. That’s the best of the run: 2 ft to 3 ft SW swell, 16-second period, light offshore NW wind at 9 mph, clean, with combined energy over 2400. A proper groundswell session at a wave that demands respect. Don’t miss it.

Rusty.

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