Church Cove Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s have a look at what Church Cove is serving up over the next couple of weeks. Honestly, it’s a bit of a mixed bag – mostly one for the patient crew. The water’s sitting at 66°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so the wettie might feel a bit more forgiving.

We kick off on Tuesday the 18th of August, but it’s a real rough start. The swell’s around 5 ft to 5 ft from the west, with a weak period of only 6 to 7 seconds, and the wind is a cross-onshore breeze at 16 mph. The combined wave energy is pretty weak (188 to 159), and it’s just a messy, choppy scene. Not worth paddling out.

Wednesday the 19th isn’t much better. Swell holds around 4 ft to 5 ft from the west, period lifts a bit to 9-10 seconds, but the wind is still cross to cross-onshore and fresh at 12 to 22 mph. Energy picks up (311 to 394) but the conditions are lumpy and poor.

Thursday the 20th brings a bigger swell – 7 ft to 7 ft from the west – but the period drops back to 9 seconds. Wind is cross and breezy at 16 to 19 mph. Energy is moderate to strong (720 to 804), but it’s cross-shore chop. Not clean.

Friday the 21st of August is where we finally see a glimmer. Morning has a 4 ft swell from the west with a 9-second period, and the wind swings offshore from the northeast at 12 mph. The energy is moderate (199). Conditions turn clean and surfable, but it’s only a 1 out of 10 – very ordinary, small waves.

Saturday the 22nd drops right off. Tiny 1 ft to 2 ft swell from the west, period around 9 seconds, and the energy is gutless (62 to 41). Wind is light offshore or cross. Clean but flat.

Sunday the 23rd through Monday the 24th is just as quiet – swell barely registers, 0.7 ft to 4 ft, with long periods up to 14 seconds but almost no energy (33 to 83). Clean but not worth the effort.

Tuesday the 25th gets a massive spike – a 10 ft swell from the southwest, 9-second period, and strong energy (1470). But the wind is cross-onshore at 12 mph, dropping to 22 mph in the afternoon. It’s big, messy, and choppy. For experts only if they’re desperate, but honestly, with onshore wind and that size, it’s more of a kite-surfing show than a paddle session.

Wednesday the 26th is small again (3 ft to 5 ft) with weak energy and onshore or cross wind. Poor.

Now, Thursday the 27th of August is the standout, no question. Morning brings a solid 8 ft swell from the west, a 9-second period, and combined energy of 1412 – that’s strong. The wind is light and cross-offshore from the north at only 6 mph, making for clean conditions. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers. It’s a big day, over 8 ft, so not for beginners, but for the crew who know what they’re doing, this is the session to chase.

Friday the 28th drops off again – 4 ft to 4 ft, cross winds, energy around 250 to 295. Clean in the afternoon but small.

Saturday the 29th of August has a glassy morning with the wind dead calm and a 4 ft southwest swell, 8-second period, energy 229. It’s surfable but very ordinary. The afternoon gets a gentle cross-onshore.

From Sunday the 30th right through to Wednesday the 2nd of September, it’s mostly small, weak, and onshore or cross. Sizes range from 1 ft to 6 ft, with low energy and poor conditions. Not much to get excited about.

So, to sum it up: if you’re hanging for a wave, Friday the 21st offers a tiny clean window for a grovel, but the real prize is the morning of Thursday the 27th of August – 8 ft of west swell, light offshore wind, and clean. That’s your best bet by a long shot. Keep an eye on the glassy Saturday the 29th morning too, but it’s a consolation prize.

Rusty.

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