Lefthanders Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. We’ve got a solid wave on the cards, but this one’s not mucking around. The swell’s gonna be pumping, but it’ll be too much grunt for most of us. Keep your eyes peeled and your wits about you.

The only spot in the mix is Lefthanders, a reef break that’s very consistent and exposed to the swell. It’s a beginner-friendly wave normally, but not this fortnight. The water temp is pretty much bang on average for this time of year, so no need to dig out the thick rubber just yet.

The run starts on Wednesday the 12th of August and we’re straight into it – a huge 13 ft SW swell with a very long period of 15 seconds. The combined energy here is massive (7399), so there’s plenty of push. Problem is, the wind is on it from the WSW at 15 km/h, making for a cross-onshore mess. This is only for experts, and honestly, the setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing. Thursday the 13th is more of the same – 13 ft SW, period up to 17 seconds, and a cross-on wind. The energy hits 9972 in the arvo, but the waves will be lumpy.

Friday the 14th offers a slight reprieve. Still a meaty 12 ft SW groundswell (16 sec period), but the wind swings to a light NNE cross-off in the morning, cleaning things right up. The energy is still strong at 6461, but this is a true stand-out for experts only. Crowds are likely here, but with waves this size, it’ll thin out the pack. The break is a reef, so that long-period swell will peel nicely.

Saturday the 15th drops to a more manageable 8 ft, but the wind is howling from the north at 25 km/h, creating a nasty cross-chop. Not recommended. Sunday the 16th sees the swell back up to 12 ft with a 15-second period and a cross-off wind in the morning. Clean lines, but only for the experienced crew.

Then it gets wild again. Monday the 17th and Tuesday the 18th are write-offs with fresh onshore winds and lumpy 13 ft+ surf. Wednesday the 19th throws up a massive 20 ft WSW swell (energy 29407) – that’s a full-on beast, and the wind is on it. Stay well clear unless you’re a pro.

Thursday the 20th is another highlight for experts: 15 ft WSW swell with a clean cross-off from the NNE. The energy is 9552, and those waves will be lined up on the reef. You’ll need to be on your game.

The second week stays serious. Friday the 21st is a waste with 40-45 km/h winds. Saturday the 22nd has a 15 ft swell but more onshore chop. Sunday the 23rd drops to 12 ft but with a cross-on breeze. Monday the 24th improves with a cross-off wind, but the swell is still 10 ft and the energy is moderate. Tuesday the 25th sees the swell finally drop to a more human 5-6 ft, but the wind is a fresh 30 km/h cross-off, so it’ll be clean but small and a bit blown out. Then Wednesday the 26th and Thursday the 27th are back to massive 15-16 ft swells with clean winds, but again, that’s big wave territory.

Overall, the best on offer is Friday the 14th for that clean, heavy 12 ft SW groundswell with light offshore winds, and Thursday the 20th for the similar clean power. Everything else is either too big, too wind-affected, or both. If you’re not an expert, give this one a miss – the forecasts can change, but right now it’s a solid no-go for beginners.

Rusty.

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