Kelso (Happy Wanderers) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Right, let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ at Kelso.

We’ve got a real mixed bag over the next couple of weeks, but there’s a standout session that’s got me pretty excited. The water temp at Kelso is sitting at 72°, which is bang on average for this time of year – nothing unusual there, just your standard warm summer water.

The first wave of real quality hits on Friday, July 3rd, in the morning. This is the highlight of the whole run. We’re looking at a solid 15ft swell out of the SSW with a period of 13 seconds – that’s proper groundswell, carrying some serious grunt, with the combined energy measuring a whopping 11426. Now, this is big. Over 8ft, so this is strictly for experts only. The wind is a cross-off from the south at 9 mph, which will keep things clean. This is a point break, so that long-period swell will wrap in nicely, offering some really well-shaped waves. Expect some sizable sets with decent gaps between them. You’ll want to be on your game for this one. The afternoon sees the swell drop to 8ft, but the wind goes cross, and the score drops off – it’s a bit of a letdown after that morning session.

Saturday, July 4th, starts off with a glassy morning. The swell is 8ft from the SSE, period 13 seconds, and combined energy is 2255. That glassy wind from the SE at 3 mph is a massive plus – it’ll be absolutely clean. This is still a decent size for experienced surfers, but much more manageable than Friday. The afternoon goes a bit wonky with a cross wind, so get on it early.

Sunday, July 5th, things start to fade. Swell drops to 5ft, wind goes cross-onshore at 9 mph, and the surf gets choppy. That’s it for the first proper pulse.

After that, there’s a long dry spell. From Monday, July 6th, right through to Wednesday, July 8th, it’s pretty grim – tiny, weak, and often messy. You’re looking at a few days of flat, poor conditions where it’s not really worth paddling out.

Then, on Thursday, July 9th, we get a bit of a re-up in the morning. The swell jumps back to 8ft from the south, but the period is a short 8 seconds. The wind is cross-off from the SSW at 9 mph, so it'll be clean. The combined energy is 1133. This one has some punch, but that short period will make it a bit less organised at a point break. It’s a decent shout but not the standout.

The following days fizzle out again. There’s a little bump on Saturday, July 11th, with 5ft from the south, but the conditions are marginal. A few other days have size, like Monday, July 13th, with 7ft, but the onshore winds ruin it.

The very tail end of the forecast, on Saturday, July 18th, throws up a 6ft wave from the east with a short 9-second period. It’s clean but small – a last-gasp hope, but not worth planning a trip around.

So, the clear winner is that Friday, July 3rd, morning session. It’s big, it’s powerful, and it’s clean. After that, the Thursday, July 9th, morning offers the next best chance, but it’s not in the same league. The rest of the window is mostly a write-off with long, flat gaps in between.

Rusty.

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