Church Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty. Let’s have a look at what’s brewing at Church. It’s a beach and point break that’s wide open to the swell, and it’s a very consistent wave – it takes a lot to keep this place quiet. The water temp is about average for the time of year.

We’re starting on Thursday the 23rd of July, but it’s a slow burner. The swell is 4ft from the S with a 13-second period, and the combined energy is 622 – that’s moderate. Problem is the wind is cross-on from the WSW at 6 mph, and it’s kicking up a little bump. It’s a marginal call, nothing to write home about. Thursday afternoon stays similar, a little smaller with a gentle cross-onshore. Not the day.

Friday the 24th sees the swell drop to 2.3ft, but the period jumps to 24 seconds – that’s a very long period groundswell with serious grunt, especially for a point. The energy is 947, moderate. The wind is still cross-on from the SSW at 9 mph, so it’s a bit choppy. The potential is there, but the wind is messing with it. Friday afternoon has lighter wind but smaller waves.

Saturday the 25th is a tease. The swell is 3ft from the SSW at 21 seconds – again, very long period. The wind is onshore from the WSW at 6 mph, light but onshore. The energy is moderate (922 morning, 718 afternoon). The wave comment is marginal, but it’s a step up. Not quite there.

Sunday the 26th is a write-off. The swell is 3.6ft from the SW at 19 seconds, but the wind is cross-on from the S at 9 mph, making it fairly choppy. Energy is 957, but the conditions are poor. Scores are zero. Skip it.

Now, here’s the good stuff. From Monday the 27th through to Tuesday the 28th, we’ve got a solid south-southwest swell building. Monday morning has 4.3ft from the SSW at 18 seconds, with a light onshore wind from the SW at 6 mph. The energy is 1120 – that’s strong. The wave comment is still marginal, but the scores are a 2. This is the best window in the first week. The wind is light, the swell is pushing 4ft, and the period is long. Tuesday morning pushes to 4.6ft at 17 seconds, with energy at 1179 – that’s strong. The onshore wind is still light. This is shaping up for the more experienced crew, as it’s getting into the 4.5ft range. It’s a proper long-period groundswell that will wrap into the point nicely.

Wednesday the 29th fades to 3.6ft and 16 seconds, with energy dropping to 827. Still light onshore, but losing steam.

The second week starts on Thursday the 30th with a smaller 3.3ft swell at 15 seconds, cross-on wind, and energy down to 526. It’s marginal. Friday the 31st is similar, with 3ft at 14 seconds, but energy picks up to 707. Still marginal.

Now, the standout: Saturday the 1st of August. The swell jumps to 4.6ft in the morning, building to 5.6ft in the afternoon from the S, with a 13-second period. The energy is 1190 in the morning and 1048 in the afternoon – that’s strong wave energy. The wind is from the WSW at 6 mph, cross-on, but it’s only a light breeze creating small wind ripples. For an advanced surfer, this is the best wave of the entire forecast. The size is in the 5ft to 6ft range, so it’s edging into the “too big for beginners” zone, but for an experienced surfer at Church, this is a solid, powerful swell. This is the one to circle on the calendar.

Sunday the 2nd of August drops to 5ft in the morning from the SSW at 12 seconds, with a cross-on breeze and energy of 669. It’s still okay, but not as good as Saturday.

From Monday the 3rd of August, it all goes quiet. The swell drops to 3ft, then 1.3ft, and the conditions are poor for the rest of the week. Tuesday the 4th through Friday the 7th of August sees tiny waves – 1.3ft to 2ft – with very low energy (between 144 and 270). The wind is light and often on

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