Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s look at the 16-day window ahead for Chinamans, and I’ll be straight with you – it’s a mixed bag with a real standout window if you time it right.

The first proper surf worth paddling out for kicks off Friday 17 July. Chinamans is a reef break, so expect a bit of a grunty take-off, and it’s only for the advanced crew. The water temp is about average for the time of year, nothing unusual there. The early part of the run is a beauty. Friday morning we’ve got a solid 6 ft SW swell, with a very long period of 16 seconds, and a gentle cross-off breeze from the NNE. There’s a ton of energy in the water (1571), and the break is exposed to the SW – that’s bang on the optimum direction. The sets will be clean and lined up, but that long period means it’s best suited to this reef, where it’ll hold shape. Friday afternoon gets even better: the wind swings to NNW and goes offshore, the swell drops slightly to 5 ft, and the energy is still huge (1265). This is the best on offer – clean, powerful, and absolutely for experienced surfers only. Saturday 18 July drops off noticeably in size: 4 ft in the morning with a 14-second period, still cross-off but the energy is down to 584. The afternoon is even smaller at 4 ft. Not a write-off, but nowhere near the Friday standard.

Sunday 19 July through Tuesday 21 July holds a long run of fun, clean conditions. The swell sits around 3 ft to 5 ft, with periods between 12 and 18 seconds, and the wind is offshore or gentle offshore from the NNW. The combined energy jumps around from 409 to 919 – moderate wave energy, but the consistency is there. The shape should be good, and the offshore wind keeps the faces clean. Wednesday 22 July the wheels fall off. The morning sees a drop in swell to 3 ft but a strong cross-off from the W at 19 mph and the energy is weak (221). The afternoon is worse: 6 ft but with a short period of 7 seconds, onshore wind from the WSW, and lumpy conditions. Not worth it.

From Thursday 23 July until the end of the month, we’re in a poor stretch. The swell gets big – 7 ft to 10 ft – but the wind is onshore or cross-onshore, and the energy readings are high (over 1000 up to 5571). That’s strong wave energy, but it’s all blown out and messy. This is more a kite surfing setup than paddle surfing. The period stays long (13 to 16 seconds), but with the wind driving in, it’s junk. For the first week of August, the outlook is still poor. The wind remains fresh and cross-onshore, and the swell is inconsistent. There’s a long gap of no good surf from 23 July through to 1 August.

If you’re keen, the absolute standout is Friday 17 July – both morning and afternoon. That’s your window. After that, it’s a waiting game.

Rusty

Read more