Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, mates, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at the next couple of weeks for the region. It’s a bit of a slow burner to start, but there are definitely some windows where it’s going to be worth paddling out. We’ve got a solid SW swell train running the whole time, but the wind is going to be the deciding factor. That first week is the one to watch, with a couple of proper standouts. The second week gets a bit messier, so we’ll need to pick our moments.

Right off the bat, the weekend is pretty ordinary. Saturday and Sunday are looking small, with the swell hanging around 4ft to 5ft. The wind is a soft cross-on shore, which will put a bit of chop on the face. It’s not going to be terrible, but it’s not going to be memorable either. You’d be scratching for a couple of mediocre ones. The energy is weak to moderate, so there’s not much push behind it.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Monday the 31st is looking like the first real standout of the period. The swell jumps up a notch to 7ft to 7ft with a longer period of 18-19 seconds – that’s proper groundswell. The wind swings around to a light cross-offshore breeze, and the morning into afternoon looks clean. The energy is pumping – you're looking at over 3500 units – so there’s some serious water moving. It’s a bigger, more powerful day, so you’ll want some experience under your belt. This is for the guys who know how to handle themselves.

Tuesday the 1st is solid too, though a touch smaller at 5ft to 5ft. But that offshore wind from the NNW, especially the lighter afternoon breeze, is going to keep it clean and glassy. The energy is still moderate. It’s a good follow-up day, but the Monday swell is the one.

The middle of the week, Wednesday the 2nd and Thursday the 3rd, sees the swell stay in the 6ft to 8ft range. The wind is cross-offshore, which keeps the surface clean, but the period drops back a bit and the energy is moderate. It’s surfable, but the tide might be a factor. It’s one of those where you need to be in the water at the right time.

Friday the 4th is the other big standout for the first week. The swell is building big – 8ft in the morning and up to a solid 10ft by the afternoon. The period stays around 15-16 seconds, and while the wind is a bit stronger and cross-off, it’s still clean. The energy is strong to very strong. This is a serious day for experts only. If you’re a beginner, stay well clear. This is the kind of day that gets the heart pumping.

Heading into the weekend, Saturday the 5th is still solid with a 7ft SW swell and a lighter cross-off breeze in the morning, but it gets a bit stronger in the afternoon. Sunday the 6th is where it starts to fall apart. The wind swings onshore and it gets lumpy. Surf quality drops right off, and the energy fades. That’s the end of the good run.

The start of the following week, Monday the 7th and Tuesday the 8th, is a write-off. Big, messy, and blown out. The wind is all over the place, and the swell is jumbled. There’s nothing to get excited about. You’re looking at a few days of mush and chop.

After that, the middle of the second week looks like a blank. The swell is still there, but the wind is mostly onshore or weak and the surf quality is poor. It’s a classic case of having to be patient.

But keep an eye on Saturday the 12th. That’s the long-range promise. It’s looking like a proper return to form. Swell is up again to 8ft to 8ft with a long 16-17 second period. The wind is light and cross-offshore, and the forecast calls for clean conditions. The energy is strong. It’s a few days out, so we don’t get too excited, but it’s got all the ingredients to be the best day of the second week. Sunday the 13th also looks like a good one, with a clean morning and a moderate offshore breeze.

So, to wrap it up: Monday the 31st of August and Friday the 4th of September are your standout days – both bigger, powerful swells with clean winds. Don’t sleep on Saturday the 12th as a long-range promise. The rest is a waiting game.

Remember, it’s all about picking the right tide and being ready to go when the wind plays nice.

This is Rusty, signing off.

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