Hideaways Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s look at what’s on the table for Hideaways.

So, we’re looking at a pretty bleak stretch to start with at Hideaways. Don’t get your hopes up for the rest of August, because a solid wave just isn’t going to happen. The whole run from Monday the 17th right through to the end of the month is a real mixed bag of marginal conditions and poor shape, with a lot of cross-offshore breeze and short-period, weak swell. The wave energy during the middle of this period is very low, sitting at only about 133 (moderate energy) on the 20th, so you’re just not gonna get a ride with any push. It’s frustrating, I know.

The first chance of anything interesting kicks off on the morning of Saturday the 22nd when we see a sudden shift: a 2ft swell from the northwest, but with a *long* period of 12 to 13 seconds. The energy jumps to 262 (moderate) and 354 (moderate) across the day. Still, the height is tiny. The cross-off breeze (20 km/h E) will keep the surface clean, but it’s barely a wave. Then Sunday the 23rd picks up a little to 5ft from the east-northeast, but that short 7-second period will be a gutless, crumbly mess.

Now, the real standout, and the only one you should really circle, happens on the Friday the 28th of August into the 29th. This is where it gets interesting. We get a solid swell building to a consistent 7 to 7ft from the east, and the period stretches into a much better 9 seconds. The energy is pumping moderate-to-strong, reading 719 (strong) on the 28th. The wind stays clean cross-off from the east at 15-20 km/h. This is the peak. That swell direction from the east (N is the optimum direction for this reef) isn’t a perfect match, but with that size and clean conditions, Hideaways will start to show its teeth, albeit at a solid expert level. Be aware, at 7ft+ and a reef, this is definitely for experienced surfers only.

Straight after that high point, the swell drops like a stone. By the morning of Monday the 31st of August, we’re back to a disappointing 4ft, and it fades further into the 1st of September. The last record at Hideaways shows a 2ft bump from the west with a very long 14-second period on the 1st of September evening, but the energy (263) is moderate and the height is tiny.

So, to sum it up: most of the next 16 days are a washout at Hideaways. The only real shot is the end of August (the 28th and 29th), which is a chance for the advanced crew to get something solid and clean. But don’t sleep on it – once this window passes, we’re back to flat for a good few days. Keep your eyes on the sky.

Rusty.

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