Church Cove Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, mate, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what Church Cove has in store for us over the next couple of weeks.

First up, the outlook is pretty grim for the first week or so. We've got a solid run of days where the wind is just ruining everything, coming onshore or cross-shore and chopping up the surface. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing to write home about.

We're looking at a long gap with no decent surf. From the 13th of September right through to the 23rd, it's basically a write-off. The wind is relentless, mostly onshore or cross-shore, and the wave quality is consistently poor. There's some size in the water, with swell heights around 5 ft to 7 ft, and the combined swell energy is moderate to strong at times (values like 531, 882, and 1155), but that doesn't matter when the wind's howling from the WSW or NW. It's just messy.

Even when the swell gets a bit bigger, like on the 20th with a 8 ft W swell and a very long period of 14 seconds, the wind is straight onshore from the SW at 16 mph, making it a complete mess. The wave energy hits 2115 (very strong), but it's just not surfable with that wind.

The first real glimmer of hope doesn't come until Wednesday the 23rd of September. The afternoon session shows a shift: the wind turns to a light N breeze at 9 mph, which is a cross-offshore wind. The swell is 6 ft from the W, period 9 seconds. The combined swell energy is 605 (moderate). The report calls it "clean." That's a major positive. For a spot that's usually onshore, getting a clean window is a real treat. Just be aware, Church Cove is inconsistent, so you might have to wait a bit for the sets.

Then, Thursday the 24th morning is another maybe. It's smaller, 5 ft from the W, but the wind is a light SSW breeze at 3 mph, which is cross-on but almost glassy. The energy is 416 (moderate). It's only a marginal surf forecast, but with that light wind, it could be alright for a beginner-friendly wave.

The real standout, the best on offer across the whole forecast, is Friday the 25th of September. The morning session is promising: a 5 ft WNW swell with a very long period of 14 seconds. The wind is a light NW breeze at 6 mph, cross-shore. Combined swell energy is 945 (strong). That's a proper groundswell. Long period swells like this can be a bit straight at beach breaks, but Church Cove is fairly exposed, so it might hold up. The afternoon looks even cleaner with the wind shifting to a light NNW breeze, still cross-offshore, and the swell picking up to 5 ft from the WNW. That's the session to aim for.

After that, it drops off again. Saturday the 26th is clean but tiny, 3 ft, and the wind gets fresh again. By Monday the 28th, we get a glimmer of something: a 3 ft W swell with a light offshore breeze from the ENE at 9 mph. The energy is low (209), but it's clean and surfable. That's your last chance in the window.

So, bottom line: the first week and a half is a right-off. The best bet is Friday the 25th of September, with a solid, clean groundswell. Thursday the 24th morning could be a quiet alternative. Get out there if you can.

Rusty.

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