Merewether - Ladies Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G'day, Rusty here. Let's chew the fat about what's shaping up at Merewether - Ladies.

First up, the water temp is 19°, which is about average for this time of year. The ocean's got a fair bit of juice in it right now, but it's not looking pretty for a paddle for the first few days. We’ve got a 10ft swell with a period of 12 seconds from the south kicking off Sunday morning, but that combined energy is a chunky 2297 (moderate to strong), and with a 16 mph cross-on breeze, it's just a messy, choppy mess. Not worth your time.

Monday and Tuesday are much the same story – solid swell, over 8ft, and the wind stays cross-on from the south. It's blown out and poor. Wednesday morning on the 8th of July eases a touch to 8ft, and the wind swings cross-shore from the southwest, but it's still a marginal call with rain showers around. The energy drops a bit, but it's not where you want to be.

Thursday the 9th and Friday the 10th of July see the swell back off under 7ft. The real glimmer shows up Friday morning with a 5ft south-east swell, period of 10 seconds, and the wind comes in light from the west – a cross-off breeze. That’s clean, and the energy is moderate (504). It’s not huge, but it’ll be shaped up nicely. Saturday the 11th of July is your true standout for the first week. The swell drops to 4ft from the south-east, still a 9 second period, but the wind turns offshore from the north-west at 6 mph. That's glassy, clean conditions. The waves will be lined up, and the energy is light (304), but for a relaxed session on a reef break that is very consistent, it’ll be fun. Crowds are possible sometimes, so get in early.

Sunday the 12th of July, the swell fades to under 3ft, and the energy is weak (166). It’s clean but pretty gutless. Then we hit a dry patch: from Monday the 13th through to Wednesday the 15th of July, the swell bottom’s out. We’re looking at 0.7ft to 1ft surf, with strong offshore winds. It's clean but there’s nothing to ride. A solid gap of three days where the board stays in the car.

Now, hold onto your leash for the second week. Thursday the 16th of July, the swell jumps to 13ft from the south with an 11 second period. The combined energy is a massive 3806 (strong), and with a light cross-off wind, it’s clean and powerful. That’s big, solid surf – only for experienced surfers. Friday the 17th of July is another standout. The swell peaks at 20ft from the south-south-east, period of 12 seconds, and the wind is clean offshore from the north-west. The energy is off the charts at 17751 (very strong). This is exceptional conditions for experts only – it’s too big for anyone else, and the long period means it'll be breaking pretty straight on the beach, so the reef at Merewether - Ladies might handle it better. Saturday the 18th of July stays big at 13ft from the south-east with a 13 second period – very long period groundswell. The energy is strong (5119), and the offshore breeze is still there. Another day for the specialists.

By Sunday the 19th of July, it eases back to 6ft from the south-east, a 10 second period, and light west winds. That’s a much more manageable size and a nice clean end to the run.

So, if you want the pick of the bunch early on, aim for Saturday the 11th of July – small but clean. For the big wave crew, Friday the 17th of July is the one, but it’s for experts only. Long-range, keep an eye on that date, but it’s a bit further out so things can shift.

Rusty.

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