Mainside Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what Mainside has in store over the next couple of weeks. I gotta be straight with you – this is one of those forecasts where you’ll be doing a lot more watching than paddling. The first week is a write-off, with barely a ripple and wind that’ll have you hanging onto your hat. Don’t even think about a board until the second weekend.

Right through Monday 6th to Tuesday 8th July, we’ve got tiny, short-period dribble from the west, mostly around 1.6 ft to 2 ft. The wind is either cross or cross-on, making things messy. There’s basically zero energy in the water (combined energy values between 18 and 29 – weak as weak can be). Still, Tuesday morning the 7th, the wind goes glassy, so if you’re desperate for a float on a foamie, the water’s like a mirror. Don’t expect a wave, though.

From Wednesday 9th through to Sunday 13th July, the swell flatlines completely – no height, no period, zero combined energy. And the wind picks up strong. Thursday and Friday see a fresh to near-gale offshore from the east (22 to 37 mph) – it’s clean, sure, but way too strong to paddle into anything, even if there was a wave. Saturday and Sunday, 11th and 12th, the wind stays powerful (28 to 19 mph) but clean. Still, zero surf.

Now here’s the thing: by Monday 13th, we get a tiny pulse – 0.7 ft with a 8-second period – but it’s so small it’s barely a bump. Combined energy just 6. The wind is offshore and clean, so a longboard might catch a foam ball if you’re keen. But honestly, that’s scraping the barrel.

Tuesday 14th is another flat day, no swell. Wednesday 15th picks up a 0.7 ft easterly with a 9-second period, and Wednesday afternoon goes glassy. But again – 0.7 ft. Not worth the paddle.

Thursday 16th July finally sees a little more life: 1.3 ft east swell, period 10 seconds, and the combined energy climbs to 30. Thursday afternoon goes glassy. You could maybe, maybe get a knee-high wrap at high tide. Still ordinary.

The real glimmer comes on Friday 17th July afternoon. Swell bumps to 2 ft, from the east-northeast, period 10 seconds, and the combined energy jumps to 67. Wind is light offshore from the ESE (9 mph), making it clean. The forecast says “surfable waves but very ordinary conditions” – and I’ll take that as a win compared to the rest. It’s not pumping, but it’s the first time you’d actually want to get wet. Crowds? Mainside (this is just the single break listed here, and it’s a reef) can get crowded sometimes, and with conditions this marginal, it might be a handful of locals out.

Saturday 18th July keeps the trend – 1.6 ft to 2.3 ft east swell, period 10-11 seconds, combined energy around 62 to 94. Wind stays light and cross-off from the east – clean and tidy. This is probably your best window of the whole outlook. The swell direction (east) lines up with the optimum from the north? Hmm, the guidance says the optimum swell direction is from the north, so the east swell isn’t a perfect match, but at least it’s got some period (10-11 seconds) which means a little more shape. For a reef break like Mainside, longer period is a good thing – it’ll wrap in nicely. Still, don’t expect head-high bombs. It’s a mellow, fun-sized session.

Sunday 19th July sees a similar 2 ft east swell, period 12 seconds, combined energy 103 – moderate energy! That afternoon, the wind goes offshore from the ESE at 15 mph, clean. This is pretty solid for the second week. If you’re free, Sunday afternoon is the standout.

Now, Monday 20th July is interesting: the swell picks up to 3 ft from the east-northeast, period 13 seconds, combined energy 238 – that’s moderate to strong energy. But the wind is a fresh cross-off from the ENE at 15 mph. It’s clean, so the reef should handle it. The bigger period (13 seconds) means better shaped waves, but at a beach break caution is needed – here it’s a reef, so it’s a good match. That said, the wave comment still says “poor surf conditions.” Huh. Maybe

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