Cobden Beach - The Channel Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty, and I’ve been watching this stretch of coast like a hawk. We’ve got a solid run of surf coming up, but you’ve gotta pick your moments. The first real action kicks off on Sunday the 19th of July, and it’s a ripper start for the experienced crew. That morning, Cobden Beach - The Channel is pumping with a 6ft swell out of the west, a long 16-second period, and the combined energy is strong at 1768. The wind is a light cross-off from the east at just 3 mph, making it clean. The water temp is about average for this time of year, nothing wild. This is serious groundswell – that long period means it’ll peel nicely at this break, and the paddling will be easier between sets. It’s a standout for the experts.

Sunday afternoon eases back a bit, but it’s still glassy. The swell drops to 4ft from the WSW, 15-second period, energy at 968, and the wind goes glassy from the NNW at 3 mph. That’s clean, mellow waves for the beginner-friendly spot. Then Monday the 20th of July morning holds 5ft from the WSW, 14 seconds, energy at 839, with a light cross-off breeze. Good clean surf again. Monday afternoon gets a bit sloppy with a cross-on wind, but it’s still rideable. Tuesday the 21st of July looks lovely – both morning and afternoon are glassy, with 3ft and 3ft swells, periods around 12-13 seconds, and energy dropping to 374 then 284. That’s small but clean, perfect for the beginners.

We hit a bit of a rough patch from Wednesday the 22nd of July afternoon through to the end of the week. Wednesday morning is clean with 4ft, but the period drops to just 7 seconds – that’s short, weak energy (208). That’s not gonna be much fun. Thursday the 23rd of July morning has a decent 4ft, 13-second swell with clean cross-off wind, but the afternoon turns to poor conditions with rain and a cross-on breeze. Friday the 24th of July is a write-off – strong cross winds and messy waves. Saturday the 25th of July gets nasty: 15ft to 16ft of howling west swell, 31 mph winds, energy hitting 6395. That’s way too big for this spot, just a washing machine. Kite surfers might have a ball, but for paddle surfing, it’s a no-go.

Sunday the 26th of July and Monday the 27th of July see the swell drop but still big – 10ft and 8ft – with cross winds, so it’s too big for the break. But then Monday the 27th of July afternoon turns magic: 4ft, 12-second period, energy 521, and the wind goes dead calm, glassy. That’s a beautiful window. Tuesday the 28th of July morning has 4ft, clean cross-off wind, good for a session. Wednesday the 29th of July is back to 10ft from the NW, which is too big again. And from Thursday the 30th of July right through to Friday the 31st of July, it’s blowing up – 18ft swells, energy over 10,000, all too big.

The best of the second week comes on Saturday the 1st of August. That morning has 6ft from the west, 12-second period, energy at 1071, with a light cross-off breeze. The afternoon is a beauty too: 6ft, 12 seconds, and the wind goes offshore from the ESE at 6 mph. That’s clean, lined-up waves for the experienced. Sunday the 2nd of August and Monday the 3rd of August taper off with smaller, clean swells around 4ft to 3ft, but still good for a paddle.

Overall, the standout is Sunday the 19th of July morning for the big, clean groundswell. And keep an eye on Saturday the 1st of August – that’s a promising long-range call, but it’s a bit further out, so don’t lock it in yet. If you’re a beginner, stick to the glassy, small days like Tuesday the 21st of July. There’s a solid week of surf ahead, but you’ll have to dodge the stormy days in the middle.

Rusty.

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