Wraps Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on offer at Wraps over the next couple of weeks.

Honestly, it’s a pretty grim start. We’re looking at a solid stretch of poor surf conditions right through the end of August and into the first days of September. The wind is a constant problem, blowing onshore or cross-onshore from the ENE, and the swell is mostly short-period, around 6 to 7 seconds, which just doesn’t bring any real shape or power. The combined wave energy is weak to moderate at best, with values like 128 to 342 (combined energy of all swells directed here). The water temperature is sitting at 80°F, which is about average for this time of year, not that it’ll make much difference with the chop.

You’ll see a big jump in energy around the 28th of August, with a long-period groundswell from the E at 15 to 16 seconds, and energy readings shooting up to 678 or even 786. But here’s the kicker – the wind is still a fresh onshore or cross-onshore breeze at 19 mph, so it’s going to be lumpy and messy. Not worth paddling out for. That long-period swell is more suited to a point or reef, but Wraps is a beach setup, and it’ll just break too straight with the wind on it.

The only real glimmer in this whole forecast comes on Thursday the 3rd of September. The morning still looks marginal with a cross-onshore breeze, but by the afternoon, the wind swings around to a light S at 9 mph, turning cross-offshore. That’s clean. The swell is 4 ft from the ENE at 8 seconds, with a moderate energy of 295 (combined energy of all swells directed here). It’s not a big day, but it’ll be the cleanest surf we’ve seen in weeks. That’s your one standout. The Friday morning after that still has some size at 6 ft, but the wind is cross-onshore again, so it’s a short-lived window.

If you’re a beginner, be careful – on the 31st of August and 1st of September, the swell jumps well over 7 ft with strong energy (1538 to 1625 combined energy), but with the wind howling onshore, that’s expert territory and ugly. For most of this period, the setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing, given the constant wind and poor quality.

So, in short: a long, dry spell of onshore mush, with one clean afternoon on the 3rd of September. It’s a long way off, so keep an eye on it, but don’t hold your breath for the rest.

Rusty.

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