Yzerfontein Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, let’s have a look at what’s coming together for Yzerfontein over the next couple of weeks. The water is sitting at 56°, which is a solid 4° colder than usual for this time of year – that’s a notable drop, so you’ll want a good thick wetsuit, maybe even a hood.

The first few days are a bit of a mixed bag. Sunday the 26th afternoon sees a 7ft SW swell with a 12-second period, but the wind is side-shore from the S at 9 mph, putting a bit of cross-chop on the surface. The combined swell energy is moderate (1322). It’s not a write-off, but it’s far from perfect.

Monday the 27th is a step up in size but also in wind. The morning brings a 8ft SW swell, 16-second period – that’s proper groundswell, with a big 4640 combined energy. The wind is cross-off from the SSE at 19 mph, which will keep it clean, but that’s a strong breeze. At 8ft, this is expert territory, and the beach-and-reef setup might see some of that long-period swell breaking a bit straight. The afternoon stays similar, 8ft and 17-second period, still clean but with 25 mph winds. It’s big, it’s powerful, but it’s not for the faint-hearted.

Tuesday the 28th drops a little, with a 8ft SW swell, 14-second period, cross-off SE wind at 16 mph. Clean conditions, but again, that’s a solid size for a beach-and-reef break. The energy is still strong (3044). Wednesday the 29th morning is where things start to look a bit more inviting. The swell drops to 6ft from the SW, 13-second period, and the wind turns offshore from the ENE at 9 mph. That’s clean, offshore, and the combined energy (1181) is moderate. This is the standout of the first week – a good, solid, surfable size with decent lines. The afternoon gets a bit side-shore and softer, but the morning window is the one.

Thursday the 30th lingers with 5ft to 5ft of SW swell, 13-second period, and light cross-off or side-shore winds. Clean enough, but it’s a bit lacklustre. Friday the 31st drops to 4ft with light offshore or cross-off winds – small, clean, but small. Saturday the 1st of August picks up a touch with 5ft, 14-second period, and light offshore winds in the morning. That’s a nice little session, small but clean.

Now, Sunday the 2nd of August sees a jump back up to 8ft of SW swell, 18-second period – very long period – and a 16 mph cross-shore N wind. The energy is high (3678), but the wind will chop it up. The afternoon is onshore, messy. Not great.

The rest of the second week gets messy. Swell sizes fluctuate, but the winds are often side or onshore, and the quality suffers. There is a big spike on the 5th and 6th of August with 13ft to 16ft of SW swell, but the combined energy numbers go through the roof (5049 to 10888). The wind is favourable – even glassy on the 6th morning – but the swell is way too big for this break. That’s expert-only, and even then, the beach-and-reef setup might be more of a washing machine. I’d say that’s kite-surfing territory, not paddle surfing.

The 10th of August brings another 12ft swell, clean, but again, too big for a comfortable paddle session.

So, the best of the bunch is Wednesday the 29th of July morning. Yzerfontein itself, with a 6ft SW groundswell, 13-second period, and offshore ENE wind at 9 mph. Clean, manageable, and the moderate energy (1181) suggests some nice shaped waves. Crowds are *sometimes* an issue here, so you might have some company, but with that offshore wind, it’s worth it.

Rusty.

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