Indicators Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the menu for the next couple of weeks.

Right off the bat, we're in a bit of a holding pattern. The first week or so is looking pretty average, with poor surf conditions dominating through the end of July. The wave energy is mostly weak to moderate (574) early on, and it's not until we get into the final days of the month that we see some real potential.

For the first few days, from Saturday the 18th through to the 23rd, it's a real struggle. The swell is small, around 2ft to 3ft, and the wind is mostly onshore. There's a brief moment on Monday morning, the 20th, with a glassy 3ft SSW swell (364 energy), but it's only surfable, nothing to get excited about. Thursday afternoon the 23rd offers another glassy window with a 3ft SSW swell (281 energy), but again, it's just ordinary.

The real turning point looks to be Friday the 24th. The morning is still marginal, but the afternoon shapes up nicely. We get a 2ft swell from the SSW with a very long period of 24 seconds and glassy conditions. The combined energy is moderate (644). This is a groundswell, and that 24-second period is a monster. It'll be clean and the sets will be fat, but with that period, it'll be better at a point or reef than a beach break. The following Saturday and Sunday afternoons, the 25th and 26th, have similar conditions: glassy, 2ft to 3ft SSW swell with periods around 21 seconds, and moderate energy (786 and 838). These are proper standouts for the period.

The highlight of the whole outlook is Monday the 27th of July. The afternoon sees a 4ft SSW swell at 19 seconds, with glassy conditions and strong wave energy racking up to 1343. That's the best-looking session on the cards. The water temp is about 60°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year.

Now, for the advanced crew, the spot is Indicators, a point break. It's fairly consistent for an advanced wave, but it's sheltered and needs a WNW swell. The good news is the swell direction we're getting is predominantly SSW, so it may not be hitting it perfectly. That said, the quality of the swell and the glassy winds on the 27th could still make it work. Just be aware that crowds are often a factor there.

Towards the end of the month and into early August, the swell drops off and the period collapses. From the 31st of July onward, we're looking at short-period windswell from the WNW and NW, with periods of only 7 to 8 seconds and weak energy (122 to 353). The wind is onshore, so conditions are poor. This is a significant gap in quality surf from the 31st right through to the 2nd of August.

So, to sum it up: the first week is a write-off. The standout windows are the afternoons of the 24th, 25th, and 26th of July, with the absolute best being the 27th of July. Get on it if you can.

Rusty.

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