Church Cove Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s talk about what’s on the cards for Church Cove over the next couple of weeks. Straight up, it’s a tough stretch. We’ve got a few waves popping up, but the wind is just making a mess of things for most of the run. This is an inconsistent little cove that needs a clean window, and we’re not getting many.

The first real chance of a wave comes on Tuesday the 25th of August, but honestly, don’t get too excited. We’re looking at small 2ft waves from the west with a period around 10 seconds. The energy is weak, sitting at only 99 to 148. The problem is the wind is a fresh cross-offshore breeze blowing 19 mph in the morning and 12 mph in the afternoon. It’s clean enough but it’s just not enough push for a decent ride. Wednesday the 26th is even smaller and choppier – not worth paddling out for.

Thursday the 27th sees a bump in size to 4ft to 4ft from the south-southwest, but the period drops to a short 6 to 7 seconds, making it weak and pretty average. The wind is a moderate cross-onshore at 12 mph, so it’s choppy and messy. Combined energy gets up to 288, but it’s still poor conditions.

Friday the 28th isn’t much better. We get 4ft to 5ft from the southwest and west-southwest, period still short at 7 seconds. The morning has a light offshore breeze which is a glimmer of hope, but the swell energy is only moderate at 175 to 206. By afternoon the wind swings onshore and it gets messy again.

The weekend is a write-off for paddle surfing. Saturday the 29th and Sunday the 30th see solid swell building to 7ft to 10ft, but it’s all cross-onshore winds blowing 19 to 25 mph. That kind of wind on a wave that big at a beach setup is more for the kitesurfers than us. The combined energy jumps into the strong range (344 to 1197) but it’s just lumpy, dangerous, and poor quality.

The first week of September keeps the pattern alive: big swell, strong wind, poor surf. Monday the 31st of August has 8ft to 10ft west swell with fresh cross-shore wind at 19 to 22 mph and strong energy over 1300, but it’s a lumpy mess. Tuesday the 1st of September is more of the same: 10ft waves with onshore winds of 22 to 25 mph. Not for the faint-hearted or the recreational surfer. Wednesday the 2nd drops to 6ft to 8ft but the onshore wind is still fresh.

We finally get a glimmer late in the forecast. Saturday the 5th of September sees a moderate 6ft wave from the west with an 11-second period, combined energy of 842, and a cross-shore breeze of 12 mph. It’s only a “marginal” call, but it’s the best we’ve seen in two weeks. Sunday the 6th drops back to 4ft to 4ft, and the onshore wind returns.

Then, out of the blue, we get a standout window. Tuesday the 8th of September and Wednesday the 9th of September – these two days are the real gems. On Tuesday the 8th, we’re looking at a 8ft southwest groundswell with a long 14-second period, pushing huge energy of 2787. And the wind? Glassy. A 3 mph breeze from the southeast, then by Wednesday the 9th it’s dead calm. That long-period swell over 8ft is for experienced surfers only – too big for beginners – but at a cove like this, that long-period groundswell will wrap in and give proper, powerful lines. The water temp is about average for the time of year.

So if you’ve got the skills and patience, mark your calendar for September 8th and 9th. That’s the true standout. The rest of the run is mostly a frustrating battle with the wind. It’s a blank run for the most part, which is normal for an inconsistent spot like this, but when it fires, it fires.

Stay patient out there.

Rusty

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