Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, let’s talk about the next couple of weeks around here. It’s a bit of a slow burner, but there’s some serious potential hiding in the middle.

We’re looking at a classic winter pattern for Chinamans. No surf to speak of right now, and for the first few days, conditions are plain ugly. That Saturday (11th) and Sunday (12th) are messy, with big, sloppy lines and nasty cross-shore winds. Not worth a paddle. The wait is on.

Things start to turn on Monday the 13th. That morning, a solid 10ft SW groundswell shows up, with a very long 16-second period and a clean cross-off breeze. The wave energy is massive (8747). It’s still a bit raw, and the strength of the swell makes it one for experienced surfers only. Tuesday (14th) winds swing onshore and it gets choppy again, so that Monday is your first real chance to get wet—it’s the standout of the first week for sure.

The real magic, though, looks to be Wednesday the 15th. The swell drops just enough to 7ft, still from the SW, with that long 15-second period, but the wind goes glassy. Wednesday morning has a light NNE breeze, and by the afternoon it turns full offshore from the north with barely a breath of air. The water’s sitting around 60°, which is pretty normal for this time of year, so you won’t need the thickest rubber. That afternoon session is as clean as it gets here—crisp lines, a bit of punch, and not too crazy. Perfect for a confident intermediate or a seasoned local.

Thursday the 16th holds clean, smaller waves in the chest-to-head range with lighter winds. Friday the 17th bumps back up a touch, but the wind stays clean out of the north. By the following weekend (18th/19th), the swell fades right down and the wind picks up again, so that window from Monday the 13th through Friday the 17th is where it’s all happening. After that, we get a run of smaller, clean but weak surf into the second week, with another pulse of solid 10ft swell on Thursday the 23rd, but that comes with a strong breeze. It’s there if you’re desperate, but the conditions won’t be as sweet as that mid-week spell.

So, for the pick of the fortnight: Wednesday the 15th afternoon at Chinamans. A clean, offshore 6ft SW swell with that deep, long-period push. It’s an advanced break anyway, so you’ll want to know what you’re doing, but this is the cleanest it’ll get. Monday the 13th morning is the other standout if you want more size.

Stay stoked, and I’ll see you out there when it cleans up.

- Rusty

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