Church Cove Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for Church Cove. Church Cove is a bit of a finicky spot, hey – it’s inconsistent and only fairly exposed, so it takes a proper aimed swell to get it goin’. The water temp is runnin’ about average for the time of year, so nothin’ wild there. But don’t get your hopes up too early; this 16-day window starts off pretty flat and grim.

First up, from Sunday the 19th through to Saturday the 26th of July, it’s a long, flat spell. We’re talkin’ tiny dribbles – 0.7 ft to 1 ft of weak, short-period slop (combined swell energy mostly under 33 – weak as water). Winds are messy or just wrong for most of it; even when we get a glassy morning on the 21st or an offshore breeze on the 23rd, there’s just no power in the water. Not worth paddlin’ out.

Then we hit Sunday the 27th of July. The swell starts to build. Monday the 27th afternoon sees 5 ft of swell from the W with a 9-second period, and the combined energy jumps to 356 (moderate wave energy). But the wind is cross-shore, so it’s a bit bumpy. It’s still only a 1/10, so I’d sit tight.

Now, the standout is on Tuesday the 28th of July, morning. This is the one to circle. Church Cove gets a solid 7 ft of groundswell from the WNW (9-second period, combined energy screaming at 765 – strong wave energy). That is sizeable. At 7 ft it’s gettin’ into expert territory – too big for beginners, but for the crew who know what they’re doin’, that’s a real pulse. The wind is a clean cross-offshore from the NW (9 mph), so the faces should be clean. It’s inconsistent by nature, so you’ll get lulls, but when a set comes through, it’ll be worthwhile. Could be a bit straight at this beach/reef setup, but for smaller craft or a point, that’d be magic. Just be aware, crowds are possible here on a good day, and this is a good day.

After that, the swell backs right off again. Wednesday the 29th into Thursday the 30th it’s back to 3 ft and 3 ft with onshore or cross-shore winds – poor quality. Friday the 31st of July has clean conditions with a strong offshore breeze (25 mph from the E), but the swell is tiny (2 ft) though the combined energy spikes to 155 thanks to the wind. That’s more of a wind-chop scenario, not proper surf.

First week of August is sloppy. Saturday the 1st has a 4 ft swell but onshore winds. Sunday the 2nd has 5 ft to 5 ft but with a fresh to strong breeze cross-onshore, making it lumpy and messy – honestly, that looks more like a kite surfing day than a paddle session. Monday the 3rd is back to onshore and small.

So, in short: endure the long flat spell for the first week, and then be on the beach early Tuesday the 28th of July for that one solid, clean window. After that, it’s pretty much back to the flats. Never a bad thing to keep an eye on the sky, though.

- Rusty

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