Kelso (Happy Wanderers) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let's break down what Kelso (Happy Wanderers) has cooking for us.

The next couple of weeks are a real rollercoaster, with a solid run of clean waves in the first week, then a messy, blown-out second week. Water temp is around 70.2°, pretty normal for this time of year.

Right now, on Sunday the 30th, it's a total loss. A 5.9ft SSW swell, but it's short-period junk with a cross-off breeze. Not worth getting wet.

Things start to shape up on Monday the 31st. Monday morning is marginal, with a tiny 3.9ft east swell but a gentle cross-off breeze, so you might snag a few if you're keen. The afternoon is the real start – a 4.6ft east swell with a 10-second period and gentle cross-off winds. The combined energy is moderate (438), and conditions are clean. Not a standout, but a solid start.

Wednesday the 2nd is interesting. The morning is marginal with a small 2.6ft SSW groundswell but a long 14-second period, so the shape will be there at this point break. By the afternoon, the swell bumps to 3.9ft from the SSW with a very long 17-second period and a light cross-shore breeze. The combined energy is moderate (810). This is classic point-break territory – those long-period waves will wrap in nicely, but expect long lulls between sets. It's not huge, but the quality should be there for an intermediate surfer.

Friday the 4th is the first real standout. The morning brings a solid 9.8ft SSW swell (combined energy a strong 2393), but a fresh cross-off wind keeps it a bit messy. Hold out for the afternoon: a 7.2ft SSW swell with an offshore wind and a clean face. This is excellent surf for experienced surfers, with good shape and power. This is the pick of the first week.

Saturday the 5th is for the big-wave brigade only. We're looking at a massive 23ft S swell in the morning and a 21.3ft SSE swell in the afternoon. The combined energy is through the roof (14097 and 10678). The wind is cross-off and fresh, so it'll be clean but dangerously powerful. Experts only, and even then, it's a serious call. The period is around 11-12 seconds, so it's a strong groundswell.

Sunday the 6th is still huge but dropping. A 11.5ft SE swell in the morning with light cross-off winds is clean and powerful. The afternoon sees a 8.2ft SSW swell with a very long 17-second period and a light cross-shore breeze. That's a lot of water moving, and again, better for experienced surfers at this point break.

After that, the quality falls off a cliff. Monday the 7th and Tuesday the 8th are marginal, with small swell and light winds. Tuesday the 8th is actually glassy in the morning and afternoon, with a 6.6ft and 5.9ft SSE swell respectively, but the energy is moderate and the tide might be a factor. Worth a look if you're desperate.

Then, from Wednesday the 9th onward, it's poor. Strong onshore winds, choppy conditions, and small, weak swell dominate the second week. There's a spike in size on Monday the 14th with a 8.2ft ESE swell, but it's blown out by a strong cross-onshore wind. The whole second week is a no-go for quality surf.

So, the standout sessions are Friday the 4th afternoon for experienced surfers, and Wednesday the 2nd afternoon for a more mellow, long-period point-break session.

Stay safe out there.

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