Indicators Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty, and here’s how this stretch of coast is shaping up over the next couple of weeks.

We’ve got a window of swell early on, but it’s a mixed bag with winds that tend to junk it up. The standout is undoubtedly Friday morning, August 28. The Indicators break is a sheltered point, so it handles that long-period SSW groundswell from the optimum direction really well. The early session is glassy with a light N breeze at just 3 mph and 3 ft of 17-second swell. That’s a proper long-period groundswell, full of energy – the combined swell energy is 582 (moderate) – and with water temperature sitting at 62°, a touch warmer than normal for late August, it’s an inviting paddle. It’s an advanced wave and can get crowded often, but if you’re in the know, Friday morning is the call.

Saturday morning, August 29, sees a jump in size with 4 ft of SSW swell coming in at 18 seconds (combined energy a strong 1197) but the wind is onshore from the WSW at 6 mph. It’s still a groundswell, but the conditions are marginal and questionable for the tide – not the clean glass of Friday. Afternoon turns choppy, and Sunday both sessions have onshore wind, with 4 ft and 3 ft of swell but only moderate energy in the 700s, and the surf is rated poor.

From Monday, August 31, through the first week of September, the swell drops below 3 ft and the periods shorten. Winds are mostly cross-onshore or onshore, with speeds up to 12 mph. The combined swell energy falls into the weak-to-moderate range (183 to 497), and the comments are all “poor surf conditions”. There’s a four-day gap with nothing worth getting excited about.

We then get a glimmer on Saturday morning, September 5. The swell picks back up to 3 ft from the SSW at 16 seconds, and it’s glassy with a light WSW breeze at 3 mph (combined energy 725, moderate). Conditions here are good, but the crowds are still often an issue, and the afternoon turns to junk with a strong cross-onshore wind.

The second week offers nothing better. From Sunday, September 6, through to Saturday, September 12, the swell sits between 2 ft and 3 ft, mostly short to moderate periods, with the combined energy mostly in the weak-to-moderate range (269 to 523). Winds are onshore or cross-onshore, and the surf comments are almost entirely “poor” or “marginal”. Sizes stay under 3 ft for most of it, with the biggest push on Saturday, September 12, morning being 3 ft – not enough to overcome the messy winds and moderate energy (412). The crowd profile is still often present at this break. Overall, the best bet is that one smooth morning at the beginning.

Rusty.

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