Fourth Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Righto folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a proper look at what’s on offer at Fourth Beach over the next couple of weeks.

Straight up, this is a tricky stretch. For the first five or six days, we’ve got swell, but the wind is just a mess. There’s nothing really worth paddling out for until we get into the back half of the month. The water temp is sitting at a pretty standard 62° for this time of year, nothing out of the ordinary there.

We start off with a bit of a wait. Tuesday the 15th morning shows a 8ft SSW swell with a 14-second period, but an ENE cross-off at 19 mph is just not doing it any favours. The energy is moderate (2222), but the call is marginal. That afternoon goes cross-shore and choppy – a definite skip.

Wednesday the 16th isn’t much better. A drop to 6ft SSW, but still a moderate breeze from the NE cross-off. The wave energy is still moderate (1693), but the conditions are “clean” in the morning. I wouldn’t get too excited though; the scores are low. Thursday the 17th gives us clean offshore from the north, but the swell has dropped to 4ft. The energy is weak (544). It’s surfable, but small.

Friday the 18th morning is the first glimmer of hope, with a glassy offshore N wind at 12 mph on a 2ft, long-period 16-second SW swell. The energy is weak (427), but it’s clean and the swell has shape. That’s a sneaky, small-wave session for the patient ones. The arvo turns to rubbish though.

From Saturday the 19th through to Sunday the 20th, it’s a write-off. The winds go onshore or cross-shore with a lumpy chop. Don’t bother.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Monday the 21st morning is your first true standout. The wind goes light and clean from the NNE (cross-off) at just 9 mph, and we’ve got a solid 8ft SSW groundswell rolling in with a 15-second period. The combined energy is strong at 2792. This is excellent stuff for experienced surfers – it’s going to be a bit heavy, but clean. For the average punter, 8ft is pushin’ it. The afternoon goes to shit, so hit it early.

That big energy keeps coming. Now, look at Monday the 28th morning. That is the one to circle on your calendar. A 10ft SSW groundswell with a 16-second period, light NNE cross-off at just 6 mph. The energy is a massive 8208. This is a clean, powerful, expert-only beast. The reports say “exceptional” – and it is. The morning after, Tuesday the 29th, also has a 10ft SSW swell with a clean offshore NNW breeze at 12 mph and energy at 7068. Another absolute weapon for the big wave crew. Still, remember these are expert waves; if you’re not confident, stay on the beach.

Just a heads up, Friday the 25th sees a monster 18ft SSW swell predicted with 20-second periods and energy over 24,000. That is way too big for Fourth Beach – it’s just overwhelming. Don’t even think about it.

So, bottom line: the first week is mostly a dud. The standout is the morning of the 21st (Monday) for strong, clean head-high plus waves, but the real heavy-hitter is the morning of Monday the 28th. That’s the one.

Stay safe, and I’ll see you in the water.

Rusty.

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