Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the coming weeks.

Right off the bat, we’re looking at a bit of a rough patch. The first few days are a write-off. Thursday the 23rd and Friday the 24th are messy with solid 8ft to 7ft SW swells, but the wind is a cross-on or cross-shore mess, and the water is chopped up. That’s not surfable.

We do get a glimmer of hope on Sunday the 26th. The swell drops to a clean 4ft from the SW, and the wind goes light and offshore from the NW in the afternoon. The water temp is about 60°, which is normal for this time of year. That Sunday afternoon is looking like a real window for some clean, fun waves at Chinamans. It’s a reef setup, so that long period groundswell (11 to 12 seconds) will wrap in nicely, and the gentle offshore wind will make it glassy. Just keep in mind, it’s an advanced break and crowds can be an issue.

Monday the 27th is a write-off again. The swell is small but the wind is howling at 25 mph offshore, making it nearly impossible to paddle into.

Then we get a big, dangerous pulse of swell coming in around Tuesday the 30th. The 28th of July shows a 8ft to 8ft SW swell with a very long 16-second period, but the wind is a near gale or fresh onshore breeze. That’s a blown-out, dangerous mess. That kind of energy (3210 to 4665) is serious, but only for the most experienced if the wind co-operates, which it won’t.

The real standout, the one worth circling on the calendar, is Monday the 3rd of August. The swell is a solid 8ft from the SW with a long 16-second period, and the wind is a light, clean cross-offshore breeze from the WNW. The combined energy is pumping at 3193, and the conditions are described as excellent for experienced surfers. This is a proper groundswell hitting a reef, and it’s going to be clean and powerful. The water temp is still about average, so no worries there. This is the best session on offer.

Following that, Thursday the 6th of August brings another big pulse. The morning shows an 12ft SW swell with a 17-second period and massive energy (6485), but the wind is light cross-on. The afternoon, however, shapes up beautifully with a 10ft SW swell, 16-second period, and a light cross-offshore breeze. That afternoon is clean and powerful, but remember, 10ft is expert territory, especially at a reef.

The rest of the second week is a mixed bag of smaller, weaker swells or onshore winds. The 7th of August has a clean 6ft to 5ft swell, but the wind is a fresh to near gale cross-offshore, making it clean but very hard to paddle into.

So, to wrap it up: the first week is mostly a write-off except for Sunday the 26th. The true gold is Monday the 3rd of August, with a superb, clean, powerful groundswell. The 6th of August afternoon is a close second for the experts.

Stay safe, keep your eyes on the ocean, and don't force it.

Rusty.

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