Lakes Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s cookin’ for the next couple of weeks at Lakes Beach.

It’s a pretty quiet start to the period, gotta be honest. We’re looking at a long stretch of days with only small, weak swells and the wind ain’t helping much. The first real chance to get wet comes on Saturday the 11th of July, and it’s a bit of a tease. The morning delivers a clean 3ft swell from the ESE with a long 12-second period – that’s the kind of groundswell that’ll have some push and shape. The cross-off wind from the NW (10 km/h) will keep the surface glassy. The wave energy is moderate at 411, so it’s not a full-on pumping day, but it’s the best we’ll see for a while. After that, the surf just drops off into a gutless lull. From Sunday the 12th right through to the morning of Tuesday the 14th, we’re stuck with tiny, weak waves, mostly under 2ft. It’s a proper flat spell, with the energy dropping to low double digits (27). You’d be better off cleaning the wax off your board, because there’s nothing to ride.

Now, hold on to your boardies, because the pattern shifts in a big way. Wednesday the 15th of July sees a serious pulse of swell. We’re talking a solid 10ft shorebreak from the S, with a 10-second period. The combined energy is a massive 1808 – that’s strong-to-very-strong wave energy. But here’s the catch: the file says this break will be too big for the conditions. 10ft is expert territory, and with a fresh 30 km/h cross-off wind, it’ll be a bumpy, chaotic mess even for the seasoned lads. The afternoon drops to 7ft, but it’s still too big and messy. If you’re a kite surfer, this setup looks way more interesting than paddle surfing. The rest of the week on Thursday and Friday is a write-off – messy, onshore winds and dropping swell.

The next real window of opportunity comes on Saturday the 18th of July. The morning is looking clean with a 4ft swell from the E (9-second period) and a light 15 km/h cross-off breeze from the S. The energy is moderate (238), and it’s the most “normal” surf we’ve seen. It’s a good call for a session if you’re itching for a paddle. The crowds are “sometimes” here, so you might have company, but it’s not a circus.

The standout of the whole forecast is definitely Wednesday the 22nd of July. The morning is a dream scenario: a 7ft SSW groundswell with an 11-second period and glassy conditions – the wind is a whisper from the W at 5 km/h. The wave energy is huge at 1668. This is a serious swell. However, just like the 15th, the file warns it’s predicted to be too big for this break. 7ft is solid and will be pushing the limits here, especially for a beach break. It’s an expert-only window, and with the period being long, it might be a bit too straight for the sandbanks. If you’re a very experienced local, dawn patrol could be the call, but don’t drag the beginners down.

After that, the swell backs off quickly. The rest of the month looks small and ordinary again, with Thursday the 23rd offering a clean but small 4ft swell from the S, and the last week is all tiny waves with offshore winds – surfable, but nothing to write home about. The water temp is about average for the time of year, no major anomalies to worry about.

So, if you’re desperate, the Saturday the 18th is your best bet for a fun, manageable wave. For the big dog crew, keep your eye on Wednesday the 22nd, but only if you know what you’re doing. The rest of the time, it’s a waiting game.

Rusty.

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