Cobden Beach - The Channel Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here with the imperial take. Look, this stretch isn’t about small-wave fun. The first real session worth paddling out for is Monday the 24th of August, but I’m not going to sugarcoat it: that’s for experienced crew only. The swell is pumping at a solid 13.1 ft from the west, with a 14-second period, and the combined energy is heavy hitting at 5953 (moderate to strong). The wind is a cross-on from the WSW at 12.4 mph, which keeps it a bit lumpy, but it’s not the cleanest. The water temp is sitting at 55.0°F, which is about normal for this time of year. This is a beginner-friendly spot generally, but at this size, it’s expert territory.

Monday afternoon drops slightly to 11.5 ft, still west swell, 15-second period, energy at 4556. Wind eases to 9.3 mph, but it’s still cross-on and choppy. Still too big for most.

Tuesday the 25th, the swell stays big but the period drops to 8 seconds – that’s short period, choppy, windy. Not great. The wind is howling from the WNW at 15.5 mph, cross-on, making it messy. A poor day.

Wednesday the 26th has a solid 7.9 ft west swell but with a lovely 13-second period – that’s a proper groundswell. The wind shifts to a light offshore from the NW, 9.3 mph in the morning and 12.4 mph in the afternoon. That’s a big positive: offshores will clean it up. But the swell is still too big for this break, so it’s a standout for experts only. The energy is 2031 in the morning, which is moderate.

Thursday the 27th, the swell drops to 6.6 ft, period 10 seconds, from the WNW. Morning wind is a light cross-shore from the NE at 9.3 mph, making for slight chop. It’s marginal. The afternoon turns nasty with a strong NNE wind at 18.6 mph and lumpy cross-on conditions. Skip it.

Friday the 28th is a write-off: 11.5 ft from the NNW, cross-on winds, choppy. Not for paddling.

Saturday the 29th, the morning sees a 5.2 ft west swell with an 8-second period, wind from the west at 9.3 mph, cross-on and choppy. Marginal. But Saturday afternoon – this is a moment. The swell drops to 2.3 ft, but it’s a 20-second period from the west. That’s a very long period groundswell, meaning it’ll be incredibly clean with long, smooth lines. The wind is cross-shore from the WSW at 12.4 mph, so there’s a bit of cross-chop, but the energy is 636, which is weak. It’s small, but for a longboard or a funboard, that could be a glassy, rippable session. The crowd factor is rare, so you might have it to yourself.

Sunday the 30th, the wind picks up to 21.7 mph from the WSW, cross-on, with a 6.9 ft west swell – messy and lumpy. Not worth it.

Monday the 31st, the morning is 5.2 ft west swell, 14-second period, but cross-on wind at 15.5 mph makes it choppy. The afternoon jumps to 11.5 ft, 10-second period, cross-on again. Poor.

Tuesday the 1st of September, morning has a 7.2 ft west swell, 14-second period, with a light WSW cross-on at 9.3 mph. It’s still too big for the break, but the wind is gentle. The afternoon is 6.6 ft, same period, with a light offshore from the NW, but it’s marginal.

Wednesday the 2nd, a 8.2 ft west swell, 8-second period, with a fresh cross-shore wind at 18.6 mph. Lumpy. Not good.

Thursday the 3rd, the standout comes up. Morning: 11.5 ft west swell, 9-second period, with a light cross-offshore from the SSE at 6.2 mph. That’s clean. The combined energy is 1809, moderate. This is still too big for the break, so it’s for experts only. Afternoon: 9.8 ft west swell, 10-second period, and the wind goes glassy – zero wind from the

Read more