Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Righto, let’s have a look at the 16-day window for Chinamans. Most of the period is pretty average, with a real patch of dodgy weather and swell through the first week that leaves very little to get excited about. There’s a massive gap from the start right through the first few days with zero to poor conditions, so don’t bother paddling out until the following week, really.

Things start to look up from Thursday 20th August. That morning and afternoon we’ll see a solid 5 ft groundswell from the SW with a long period of 16 seconds – that’s proper energy heading in, and the combined swell energy (1709 and 1928) is strong, so there’s plenty of push. Wind stays light to gentle from the west, clean as can be. That’s a standout. It’s clean and has that deep reef power, but it’s still not huge, so the advanced crew will lap it up.

The real gem though, and I’m calling this the pick of the whole run, happens on Tuesday 25th August – the afternoon session. Glassy conditions, ENE breeze at just 3 mph, and a solid 7 ft SW groundswell with a period of 15 seconds (combined energy 1941). Clean faces, good shape, and with the wind glassy and offshore enough, Chinamans will show its best side. Just know it can get crowded, especially when it cleans up.

Later on, Friday 28th August afternoon also has a clean 5 ft SW swell with a 16-second period, light wind, and decent energy (1265) – another good window for experienced surfers. By the 30th, it’s still clean but smaller, and the long period (19 seconds) will make it a bit tricky at this reef, but still worthwhile for those who know the break.

Water temp at the start is 59°, about normal for this time of year, no big anomaly.

Overall: The first week is a write-off. The standout windows are Thursday 20th August, Tuesday 25th August afternoon, and Friday 28th August afternoon – with the 25th taking the prize. Keep an eye on the long-range stuff a week or more out; it’s promising but less certain.

Rusty.

Read more