Ansteys Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, and I've been staring at the charts for Ansteys. It's not looking like a classic run, let me tell you. The swell is coming in mostly from the SE, but the wind is going to be a major problem for most of the next two weeks. We've got a bit of energy around, but it's going to be messy. The water is sitting at a warm 73°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so at least you won't be cold while you're sitting out there waiting for a clean one.

We're talking about Monday, the 20th of July, and it kicks off with a 6ft SE swell at 12 seconds, but that south wind at 16 mph is cross-on and ruining it. It's a lumpy, choppy mess with a combined wave energy of 1118, and there's really nothing to get excited about. The rating is a zero. Monday afternoon has the wind backing off a touch, but the conditions are still marginal at best due to tide. Tuesday and Wednesday are much the same story – the swell drops right off to 5ft and then 4ft, but the wind stays onshore or cross-shore, keeping the surf small and bumpy. We're in a pretty poor stretch here for the first three days.

Thursday the 23rd looks even worse, with the wind howling from the SSW at 25 mph, kicking up a horrible cross-on mess on a little 3ft SE swell. There's a change later Thursday, the swell direction swings to the SSW, but the wind is still strong and cross-on. Honestly, from Monday right through to the end of July, there's barely a session worth paddling out for. The wind is just relentless, mostly from the NE or SSW, and it's always putting a chop on the surface.

Now, the first real glimmer of hope comes right at the end of the run. On Friday, the 31st of July, the morning looks promising. We've got a clean 2ft ESE swell, period is a long 13 seconds, and the wind swings light from the WSW, making it cross-offshore. It's clean, and it's the first time we've had even a hint of decent conditions. The energy is at 257 for that one. But it's just a flash in the pan; the wind goes back to a cross-shore NE breeze in the afternoon.

The weekend of the 1st and 2nd of August is where things get a bit mad. Saturday morning starts off totally glassy with a slight air and a tiny 2ft ESE swell – it's surfable, but not inspiring. But then Saturday afternoon, the models are showing a massive 12ft south swell slamming in with 2759 units of energy. That's monstrous. The wind is a gentle 9 mph from the NE, but 12ft of south swell at this break? That's too big for all but the most experienced crew. For the average Joe, that's a washing machine. Sunday the 2nd is similar with a 10ft south swell, but that NE wind picks up to 12 mph, putting a cross-chop on it. Again, expert territory only.

The final week calms down a bit, but it's still a mess. The 3rd and 4th of August bring more wind and lumpy conditions. There's a bit of a clean window on the morning of the 3rd with a 6ft swell and cross-offshore winds, but the energy is high at 1204 and the wind is up at 19 mph, making it a handful.

So, for the best on offer... honestly, it's a tough call. The one standout if you are an absolute expert and want a challenge is Saturday the 1st of August afternoon. That 12ft south swell is massive, but it's a serious, dangerous size. For a more realistic, fun-sized surf, your only real bet is Friday, the 31st of July, early morning. That little clean 2ft wave with the cross-offshore wind will be the most pleasant surf of the entire 16-day run.

It's been a frustrating forecast, gang. Let's hope it changes.

Rusty.

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