Cobden Beach - The Channel Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get into it. We’ve got a solid run of surf coming up at Cobden Beach - The Channel, starting this Thursday morning and stretching out for a couple of weeks. The water temp is sitting about average for this time of year, nothing to write home about, just normal.

First up, Thursday 13th August morning. We’re looking at a 6ft swell from the WNW with a 10-second period and a light cross-off breeze from the ENE. The combined energy is moderate (1027). It’s clean, but this one’s for the experienced crew only – the power is there, and the sets will have some punch. It’s a solid start.

Friday 14th August morning, the swell drops back to 3ft from the WSW, but the period stretches right out to 15 seconds, giving it a long, groundswell feel. An offshore ESE breeze of 10 km/h has it glassy clean. Combined energy is moderate (710). This is a classic smaller day for the longboard or a fun mid-length, and the tide will be your friend.

Now, here’s the standout. Saturday 15th August morning. The swell is 8ft from the west with a 16-second period, and the wind is glassy from the SSE. Combined energy is a strong 2789. This is a big, powerful, long-period groundswell. The problem is, it’s going to be too big for this break – this is expert-only territory. The waves will be hefty, the sets long, and the paddle-out will sort the men from the boys. If you’re not confident, give it a miss. The afternoon stays similar at 8ft.

Sunday 16th August is still pumping. Morning sees 7ft from the west, 15-second period, and a clean offshore ESE breeze at 20 km/h. Combined energy is strong at 2119. Again, too big for most, but if you’re an experienced local, the offshore wind will make for some epic, clean walls. The afternoon drops to 7ft, still offshore, and still solid.

Monday 17th August morning, the swell eases to 5ft from the west, 14-second period, with a light cross-off breeze from the east. Clean and moderate energy (938). This is a much better size for the average surfer – still got some push, but not the beating of the weekend.

Tuesday 18th August morning, the swell is 5ft from the WSW, but the period drops to 9 seconds. Combined energy is low-moderate (597). It’s clean with an offshore ESE breeze, but the shorter period means it’ll be a bit more disorganized and crumbly.

Wednesday 19th August morning, back to a 4ft swell from the west with a 15-second period. Clean with a cross-off breeze from the east. Combined energy is moderate (908). This is a nice, mellow, long-period groundswell that will offer some good lines, especially if you find a bank.

There’s a bit of a lull in quality from the 20th through the 22nd, with small clean mornings but nothing to get excited about. Swells hover around 3ft to 4ft with moderate energy.

Then on Sunday 23rd August afternoon, we get a spike: 8ft from the west with an 8-second period – that’s a short-period, wind-driven swell, and combined energy is moderate (1020). The wind is cross-on from the north. This is a messy, lumpy affair, and again too big for this spot. Not a good look.

Monday 24th is a write-off – fresh cross-onshore winds up to 30 km/h, solid 6ft to 8ft swell, but the wind is howling and rain is coming in. Poor conditions. Skip it.

We get a bit of a reset on Tuesday 25th August morning – 5ft from the WSW, 13-second period, light cross-off breeze from the east, clean. Moderate energy (699). A decent, workable morning.

The final standout to keep an eye on is Friday 28th August morning. A 7ft swell from the WNW with an 8-second period, but the wind is offshore from the southeast at 10 km/h. Combined energy is moderate-strong (1045). Again, it’s a bit big for the everyday surfer, but if you’re experienced, that offshore wind will make for some clean, hollow walls.

So, overall: The best window for experts is the weekend of the 15th-16th, but it’s too big for the average punter. The best all-rounder clean session is Friday 14th morning or Monday 17th morning. The long-range promise on the 28th is worth noting, but it’s a way off.

Stay stoked, check the tides, and don’t be a hero if it’s too big.

Rusty.

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