Mainside Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, this is Rusty. Let’s have a look at what we’ve got.

Honestly, the next few days are a total write-off. We’re looking at a solid week of almost nothing until Tuesday, 4th August. The water is sitting at a warm 86°, which is about 2° warmer than usual for this time of year – nothing crazy, just a touch of tropical bathwater.

The first real sign of life comes on Tuesday morning, 4th August, at Mainside. We’ve got a 4ft easterly swell rolling in with a proper long period of 18 seconds. That’s a groundswell, and it’s packing moderate energy (1054). The catch? The wind is coming from the north at 12 mph, putting a cross-shore chop on things. It’s going to be a bit lumpy, but there’s enough push to get into something. The wave energy builds through the afternoon, hitting 5ft and 1382 in combined energy. This is more for the crew who don’t mind a bit of texture on the face.

Wednesday, 5th August, is where things get serious. Overnight the swell pumps up to 8ft by morning, still from the east, with that same long 18-second period. The energy is strong now (3480). By the afternoon, it’s 8ft and the period stretches to 19 seconds. That’s a very long period groundswell. At this size, Mainside is firmly in expert territory. The wind is still cross-shore from the north at 15 to 19 mph, so it’s going to be lumpy and challenging. This is not a day for the faint-hearted or the foamies.

The standout here is Wednesday. It’s the biggest, most consistent energy we see, but it’s a raw, powerful beast. The cross-shore wind will keep the crowds a bit more manageable – it’s a spot that *sometimes* gets busy, but the conditions will weed out the casuals. If you’re an experienced surfer and you want a real punch, that Wednesday afternoon window is your best bet, but know that the long period swell will make it line up a bit straight on the bank, so you’ll need to pick your peak.

Then, the whole thing gets obliterated. Thursday, 6th August, brings a gale and then storm-force winds from the north-west, with 12ft easterly swell. That’s a complete mess. Friday, 7th August, is insane – violent storm-force winds, a 20ft northerly swell, then a 26ft westerly in the afternoon. The energy readings are off the chart (28447 and 30199). The wind is actually cross-offshore and clean, but the swell is so massive it’s a danger zone. This is not for paddle surfing – this is a survival situation, or maybe a very, very serious big-wave tow session.

After that storm passes, we get a rapid drop-off. Saturday, 8th August, is still huge (13ft to 16ft) with near-gale winds, but the wind is clean and cross-offshore. Still too big and wild for most.

We finally get a window of clean, manageable surf on Monday, 10th August, into the middle of the week. The swell drops to 2ft to 3ft, the wind goes light offshore from the east, and the water is glassy. The period is moderate (8 to 14 seconds). These are small, clean, ordinary waves – fine for a longboard or a funboard, but nothing to write home about. The energy is weak (109 to 276). Good for a cruise, not a standout.

The real highlight for clean, surfable waves is Thursday, 13th August. The morning has 2ft from the east, 11-second period, light offshore breeze from the north-east, and the forecast says “expect good surf conditions.” The afternoon builds slightly to 3ft, same clean conditions. The energy is moderate (276). This is the best combination of manageable size, clean face, and proper swell direction. It’s not big, but it’s the most fun you’ll have in the whole 16-day window.

So, all in all, the only true standout is Wednesday, 5th August for the big-swell crew, and Thursday, 13th August for the clean, small-wave session. The rest is either flat, blown out, or terrifying.

Rusty.

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