Westport Breakwater • Statistics for October

October: Blown-Out Beginnings

October is statistically the worst month for wind quality at Westport Breakwater, with ideal surfing winds at just 36 percent. The ocean itself is still very active-average swell height is 2.5m (8ft), period 12.2s, and the swell is dominated by WSW (33.5 percent), W (11.5 percent), and WNW (5.6 percent). The N/NW window is only 6.4 percent, and the average heights are heavily stacked in the 6.5-8ft (2-2.5m) range, so there is tons of power but the wind is often blowing the wrong way.

The wind rose shows the worst offender: N/NNE/NNW/NW onshore winds now account for around 24 percent of all observations, with W/NW components picking up as spring storms roll across the Tasman. SW winds still lead at 19.2 percent, and WSW adds 14.3, but they are often accompanied by strong pressure gradients and lumpy, surging seas. Water temp has risen slightly to 13.3°C, air averages 11.1°C, and precipitation is 5.39 mm/day-the wettest month on average. October is a month for patience, not expectation; grab the short windows before the northwesterlies ruin the surface.