Lefthanders Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here. Let’s break down what’s on the table for the next couple weeks.

We’re looking at Lefthanders, a reef break that’s very consistent and loves a good WSW swell. The water’s sitting at 67°F, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year.

The first few days are a bit of a letdown. Starting Thursday the 23rd, we have a solid 8ft SW swell with a 14-second period, so it’s a nice long groundswell, and the combined energy is pumping at 2893. But the wind is a cross-off from the NE, keeping it clean, though the report says the surf is marginal. Thursday afternoon, the swell drops to 8ft, but the wind goes light cross-onshore, so it’s a bit messy. Friday the 24th is smaller, around 6ft, with a gentle cross-off wind, but it’s not scoring well.

Saturday the 25th sees a little more size, 6ft in the morning, but the wind is a moderate cross-off, and the energy is moderate (1167). The afternoon gets chopped up. It’s all just average.

Then things get wild. Sunday the 26th through the end of the first week is a no-go. The swell jumps to 15ft and then 18ft, with energy readings through the roof (4668 and 9491). That’s way too big for this reef, and the wind is cross and onshore. Monday the 27th and Tuesday the 28th are still big, 10ft to 13ft, with clean wind, but it’s all too big for the break. This is expert-only stuff, and it’s often crowded, but with this size, it’ll be a select few.

Now, a real gem. Thursday the 30th of July. The morning is looking glassy with a 5ft SW swell, 15-second period, and the energy is still strong at 1757. The wind is glassy from the NNW. That’s a rare, clean moment, and the report calls it excellent for experienced surfers. That’s your best window. The afternoon goes cross-onshore, but that morning is pure gold.

From Friday the 31st through to the end of the forecast, it’s a constant barrage of massive swell. 12ft to 15ft, with energy readings from 6299 up to 11410. The wind is clean, offshore, and cross-off, but the break is just too big. The first week of August is a non-stop run of 10ft to 15ft swell, with the 5th and 6th getting hammered by near-gale force winds and rain. That’s a total washout.

So here’s the reality: there’s a big gap of nothing in the middle, and then a massive pulse of swell that’s too much for this spot. The only real standout is Thursday morning, the 30th of July. That’s the one to point your van at. The rest is either small and mediocre, or big and dangerous.

Rusty, signing off.

Read more