Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty comin' at ya live from the surf seat, and we're talkin' about one spot – Chinamans. It’s a technical reef, advanced-level only, and over the next two weeks, it's got some serious potential, but we gotta pick our windows with a sharp eye.

Right out of the gate, we’re dealing with a rough start. A solid, long-period 8ft SW groundswell (3309 combined energy) is pumping in on Thursday the 10th, but a brutal ESE cross-on wind has it all chopped up and blown out. The water temp is about average for the time of year, so no surprises there. Friday the 11th is still messy with that cross-on, though a bit smaller. We’re in a waiting pattern.

The first real flicker of hope hits Saturday the 12th. The swell drops back to a manageable 5ft to 6ft from the SW, but the wind swings around to a gentle cross-offshore from the NNE. The afternoon session cleans right up with 1265 combined energy of that lovely groundswell coming in at a 16-second period. It’s not massive, but it’s clean and lined up. That morning is clean too, just a tad bigger. This is when the wait pays off.

Sunday the 13th afternoon is a standout. A 4ft SW swell meets a solid offshore from the NNW. Clean as a whistle, with that reef handling the long-period (16s) energy beautifully. The crowds are *sometimes* an issue at Chinamans, but on a Sunday afternoon with this size? It’ll be worth the paddle out.

We hit a flat spell after that – Monday the 14th drops to under 3ft and the wind goes haywire, turning into a lumpy, fresh cross-shore mess by the afternoon. Tuesday the 15th sees a spike back up to 8ft, but it’s marred by onshore and cross-onshore winds. That pattern of decent groundswell but messy wind carries on for a few days, with the energy fluctuating in the moderate range (1108 to 2560 combined energy). A lot of these days are "marginal" at best.

Then, we get a real beauty lined up. Thursday the 17th afternoon looks incredible. A 5ft, 14-second SW groundswell, with light offshore winds from the north. The energy is moderate but the quality is rated as excellent. That’s a solid session for an experienced surfer.

Hold tight, because the back half of the window gets interesting. After a few days of building but choppy conditions, Monday the 21st of September arrives with a punch. We’ve got a 8ft SW groundswell, light offshore winds from the NW, and excellent conditions for experienced surfers. The combined energy hits 2250, and by the afternoon it’s blowing offshore from the NW at a moderate 12 mph. This is a serious session.

The 23rd of September (Wednesday) is the other major head-turner. An 8ft SW groundswell, but with a 16-second period and a massive 3848 combined energy. The wind is a clean cross-offshore from the WNW. This is powerful, groundswell-driven surf. It's right at that top-end expert level, but for those who can handle it, this is the best of the best on offer. It’s also a week and a half out, so keep an eye on it, but it’s got all the ingredients.

Towards the end, the 24th of September (Thursday) offers a final clean, smaller day at 6ft with clean offshore winds for the morning before the wind turns nasty on the 25th.

So, the standout calls? Saturday the 12th for a clean, fun session that’s a bit more forgiving. And Monday the 21st and Wednesday the 23rd of September for the big, powerful, clean groundswell that this reef was made for. The long period (15-16s) will make for some hefty, well-defined lines, but you want to be on your game.

Stay sharp, and pick your days. This reef won't give you a free ride.

- Rusty

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