Chinamans Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s headed our way for Chinamans over the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, it’s a rough start. Wednesday the 22nd and Thursday the 23rd are a write-off. The swell is there, but the wind is a mess, and the notes are all saying "poor surf conditions." Don’t bother paddling out. The water temp is about average for the time of year, nothing unusual there.

Friday the 24th and Saturday the 25th are still pretty average. The combined energy drops from a strong 2557 down to 1049, and the wind is either cross or cross-on, keeping things choppy and messy. It’s marginal at best, and you’ll be fighting a bumpy surface.

Then we get a window. Sunday the 26th morning is the first real glimmer – clean conditions with a light offshore breeze from the NNW. Swell is a modest 4ft from the SW, with a period of 11 seconds. The energy is weak at 404, but it’s clean. The afternoon stays clean, too, with a gentle offshore. It’s not pumping, but for a quiet session, it’s a go.

Monday the 27th picks up. The morning is a bit sketchy, but Monday afternoon gets good. A 8ft swell from the WSW with a period of 11 seconds and a gentle offshore wind. The energy is a solid 1693, and the notes say "excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers." That’s a standout. Just be aware that at 8ft, it’s only for the crew who know what they’re doing.

Tuesday the 28th morning is another highlight. A 8ft swell from the SW with a long 15-second period, light cross-off wind, and a combined energy of 3010. The notes say "excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers." This is a serious groundswell, and at a reef break like Chinamans, it’s going to line up nicely. The afternoon turns a bit messy with cross-on wind, but the morning is the session to aim for.

Wednesday the 29th morning is glassy. Flat calm, clean conditions with a 6ft SW swell and a 14-second period. Energy is 1573. The notes are calling it excellent for experienced surfers. That’s a beautiful window for a long paddle and some clean, powerful waves.

The following days into early August are a mixed bag. Thursday the 30th afternoon is clean and worth a look with a 4ft swell. Friday the 31st afternoon is glassy again with a 5ft, 16-second period swell – that’s a very long period, and it’ll be breaking nice and straight at the reef. The energy is 1350, and the notes say "excellent surf conditions for experienced surfers." That’s another standout.

After that, the swell starts to fade and the wind cranks up. From Saturday the 1st of August into the following week, the wind is strong and gusty, with a 28 mph offshore on the 2nd and a near gale on the 3rd. The energy bounces around but the conditions are marginal or poor. The waves are there, but the wind is a beast. For a spot like this, with that much wind and size, it’s looking more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing.

The long-range stuff from the 4th of August onwards is messy and unreliable. The wind stays strong, and the swell is smaller and choppy. It’s not the time to plan a trip.

Best on offer: Tuesday the 28th morning and Friday the 31st afternoon. Both are excellent for experienced surfers, with clean conditions, proper groundswell, and good energy. The 28th has the bigger size (8ft), while the 31st has the glassy, long-period sweet spot. If you’re an advanced surfer, mark those days.

Rusty, signing off.

Read more