Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it for the upcoming stretch.

Alright, so we’ve got a mixed bag coming up. The first real window of opportunity looks like it’s going to be a specific slot on Sunday the 9th of August, with a solid but not huge SW groundswell doing the work. The real standout, the one you’d time your week around, is Sunday afternoon.

We’re looking at Chinamans for the main event. This is your classic exposed reef setup, so it needs the right direction and that’s exactly what we’re getting. Sunday afternoon, we’ve got a clean 6 ft swell hammering in from the SW with a deep, long period of 15 seconds. The wind is light and offshore out of the NNW, which is about as good as it gets. This means clean, groomed lines. The combined wave energy is pumping at (2110). It’s going to be a proper session for experienced surfers, no doubt. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

Sunday morning is a bit of a gamble. We’ve got a 5 ft SW swell with similar 16-second period, and the combined energy is still healthy (1185), but it’s on the back of a fresh NNE cross-off breeze at 19 mph. It’s rideable, but not the pristine glass we get later in the day. There’s also a risk of thunderstorms, so keep an eye on the sky.

Then we get a rough patch. Monday and Tuesday are a mess. By Monday morning the wind swings SW and jumps to 25 mph, turning the 12 ft SW swell into a complete washing machine. The combined energy climbs to (7178) but it’s all cross-shore junk. That’s kite territory, not paddle. Tuesday is a bit of a tease—strong offshore wind from the NNW keeping the 6 ft to 7 ft swell clean, but the period is long (14-18 seconds) and the wind is howling at 25 to 28 mph, making it a real battle to get out. The energy is high (3352) but it’s a grunt session.

Wednesday through Saturday the 15th is a write-off. The wind is either cross or onshore, the swell is big and lumpy, and the wave quality is poor. The combined energy numbers are high (up to 10361), but it’s all chaotic and messy. Let the swell settle.

We get a bit of a reprieve from Sunday the 16th onwards, but it’s not the same quality. The swell drops to 5 ft to 5 ft, and the wind is mostly cross-shore or cross-on, keeping the surf average. The combined energy stays in the low thousands (1000-1300), so the juice is lower.

Look further out, and there’s a glimmer on the horizon. Saturday the 22nd of August, we’ve got some promising conditions. Chinamans sees a 5 ft SW swell with a 14-second period, combined energy of (1476), and a light cross-off breeze from the north. That’s going to be clean and fun, rating as excellent for experienced surfers. It’s a long way off, so don’t bank on it, but it’s something to keep an eye on.

So, bottom line: Sunday the 9th afternoon is your best bet. Everything else in the first week is either a wind battle or a kite-fest. The second week looks quieter and more average, with that Saturday the 22nd as a potential bonus.

Rusty.

Read more