Middles/Generals Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s get straight into it. We’ve got a mixed bag on the cards for Middles/Generals over the next couple of weeks. Things are going to start off slow, and honestly, it’s looking like one of those stretches where patience is key. The standout window is later on, but we’ll have to earn it.

Starting off now, from Monday 17th August right through to the end of the first week, it’s basically a write-off for good surf. The wind is a real pest, solid cross and cross-on from the ENE, blowing at around 19 mph or so, chopping everything up. Swell heights hang around the 1 ft to 4 ft mark, and even though there’s some decent energy in the water – like a combined energy of 607 on Monday morning – it’s all messy and lumpy. The period is all over the place, with some long-period SSW pulses on the 20th (up to 18 seconds), but the wind kills any chance of clean lines. Honestly, this stretch is better for sitting on the beach with a coffee than paddling out.

We hit a bit of a lull on the 21st and 22nd where the swell drops right off, with combined energy as low as 81. Tiny, crummy waves. Not worth your time.

Now, the second week is where things get interesting, but also a bit heavy. From the 23rd Sunday onward, the swell starts building. By the 25th Tuesday morning, we’re looking at a solid 8 ft from the ENE, period of 8 seconds, and the combined energy is ramping up to 835. But that cross-shore wind is still fresh at 19 mph, so the quality is still rough. It’s not until the 27th Thursday that we get our real standout. The swell jumps to a solid 10 ft from the ENE, period stretching to 8 seconds, and for the first time, the wind settles to a moderate 16 mph cross-shore. Now, the guidance tells me this is going to be too big for Middles/Generals – that’s a lot of water moving, and at over 8 ft, it’s strictly for experts only. The combined energy is massive, hitting 1494 on Thursday morning and peaking at 2697 on Friday 28th. The period even goes to 11 seconds, which is proper groundswell energy. But look, if you’re a solid, experienced surfer, that Thursday 27th and Friday 28th could be the best session of the whole outlook, as long as you’re rated for it. The swell direction is ENE, which is onshore for this spot, but the moderate winds might just keep it from being a total washing machine. Just be aware, it is huge and powerful. After that, the swell drops away again into the 30th Sunday, back to tiny SSW pulses.

So, my pick? It has to be the Thursday 27th August morning session at Middles/Generals. It’s the only time the conditions and power really line up for a proper challenge, but only if you know what you’re doing out there. For everyone else, keep an eye on the charts, because after the 30th it all goes quiet again. Stay safe out there.

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