Crouching Lion Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, let's talk about what's on the cards for your local stretch.

Gotta be straight with you – the next couple of weeks are looking pretty bleak for a decent paddle at Crouching Lion. We're staring down a long stretch of poor conditions. From Monday the 13th right through to Saturday the 25th of July, it's a write-off. The wind is stuck in a cross-onshore groove, the swell is short-period, messy stuff, and the wave quality is just not there. It’s a solid two-week gap where you’re better off leaving the board in the shed. The combined wave energy kicks up a few times, hitting 345 on the Monday morning, but with those 8-second periods and an ENE wind it’s just a choppy, lumpy mess.

We don't start seeing anything resembling hope until the very end of the run. On Monday the 27th of July, the whole picture changes. The swell direction swings to the east, and the period jumps to a proper 15 seconds – that's real groundswell energy. The water temp is sitting at 79°F, which is bang on average for this time of year, so no surprises there. The combined energy on Monday afternoon is a solid 660, which is serious power. The wind goes offshore from the NE, light at 9 mph. This is the standout window.

Now, a word of caution. That long-period (15-second) easterly groundswell is fantastic for the reef and point setup at Crouching Lion, but at a beach break it can make the waves wall up and break too straight. Here, on this point, it should be your best friend, drawing in those long, clean lines. The swell is around 3ft, which is a fun size for an intermediate surfer, not too intimidating but plenty of juice.

Tuesday the 28th of July holds even more energy. The swell picks up to 6ft with a 12-second period and the combined energy surges to a massive 1221. The wind is a gentle cross-onshore from the ENE, so not perfect, but for a spot known to be *inconsistent*, this is a rare and promising pulse. The water temperature is still 79°F, so all good there.

So, if you’ve been patient, keep your eyes on Monday the 27th and Tuesday the 28th. Monday morning with that offshore wind is the cleanest shot you'll get, even if it's a bit smaller. Tuesday is bigger, more powerful, but with a slight cross-wind. Still, for a spot that rarely fires, this is the one to go for. It might be a little too much for beginners at 6ft on Tuesday, but for the intermediates and above, that’s the pick of the whole forecast.

Stay patient, and I'll see you out there when it turns on.

- Rusty

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