Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s on the menu at Chinamans.

We’ve got a solid run of surf stretching out over the next couple of weeks. This is a reef break that needs a good SW swell and a clean offshore wind, and for the most part, the forecast is serving that up. The water temp is sitting at 59°, which is pretty much bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

The action kicks off Wednesday morning, August 5th. It’s not big, with a 3 ft SW swell, but the period is a juicy 19 seconds – that’s proper groundswell. The wind is from the N at 12 mph, blowing offshore, keeping things clean. The energy is moderate (796). It’s a slow start, but for a surfer who knows this reef, those long-period lines will be a treat.

Wednesday afternoon sees things pick up. The swell bumps to 4 ft from the SW, still with a long 18-second period, and the wind shifts to the NNW at 12 mph, still offshore. The energy jumps to 1163, and the conditions are looking excellent for experienced surfers. This is a standout session – clean, lined up, and that reef will be working.

Thursday morning, August 6th, is a write-off. The wind swings onshore and the conditions go marginal. Don’t bother. But Thursday afternoon redeems it: the swell holds at 5 ft from the SW, 16-second period, and the wind goes light and cross-offshore. It cleans up nicely, and the energy is strong at 1373. That’s another good window.

Friday, August 7th, is a mixed bag. The morning sees a 8 ft SW swell, but the wind is cross-off, and the forecast is touchy. The afternoon, however, is a standout. The swell is 7 ft from the SW, 17-second period, and the wind is back to offshore from the N at 12 mph. The energy is strong at 2641. This is the kind of day you’d call in sick for – big, clean, powerful reef waves for the experienced crew.

Saturday, August 8th, and Sunday, August 9th, get messy. The swell stays up, but the wind is strong, and the conditions get lumpy. Sunday afternoon is a mess with a 10 ft swell and 22 mph cross-shore winds. The energy is huge (8943), but it’s a washing machine. Not worth it unless you’re a masochist.

Monday, August 10th, is a big day. The swell is 12 ft from the SW, 17-second period, and the wind is cross-offshore. The energy is massive at 11141. This is for experts only – over 8 ft, it’s a serious reef. The morning has a decent score, but the afternoon drops off a bit. Still, if you’re charging, Monday morning is the pick.

The rest of that week stays jumbo. Tuesday, August 11th, has 12 ft surf and strong winds, making it a wild, choppy affair. Wednesday, August 12th, is similar – 12 ft but cross-shore winds, messy. Thursday, August 13th, is a bit better, with a lighter cross-off breeze and a 12 ft SW swell at 18 seconds. The energy is strong (7789), and the conditions are clean. That’s a solid day for the brave.

Friday, August 14th, and Saturday, August 15th, are poor. Onshore winds and choppy conditions ruin the potential.

The best on offer, and the true standout of the whole outlook, is Sunday, August 16th. The morning is glassy – wind from the WSW at just 3 mph, glassy conditions. The swell is a clean 7 ft from the SW, 16-second period. The energy is solid (1847). This is a classic, clean, lined-up day at Chinamans. The afternoon stays clean with a light cross-off wind. This is the one to circle on the calendar.

After that, the last week of the outlook is smaller but still surfable. Monday, August 17th, has 5 ft clean surf. Tuesday, August 18th, kicks back up to 10 ft with offshore winds, but it’s a bit more raw. Wednesday, August 19th, is a 8 ft day with a light onshore breeze, a bit bumpy. Thursday, August 20th, drops back to 6 ft with clean conditions.

Overall, there’s a lot of swell here, but you need to pick your windows. The real gems are Wednesday afternoon (Aug 5th), Friday afternoon (Aug 7th), Monday morning (Aug 10th), and that glassy Sunday (Aug 16th). Expect crowds at Chinamans on the good days – it’s a popular spot when it’s working.

Rusty.

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