New Brighton Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here, and I’ve got a look at what’s coming up for New Brighton Beach over the next couple of weeks. It’s a mixed bag, but there are a few windows where this place will turn it on.

We’re starting off pretty slow. Friday, the 10th of July, there’s a bit of 4ft east swell with a decent 11-second period and a light offshore breeze from the WSW. It’s clean, with that combined energy sitting at 267 – moderate, nothing too wild. It’ll be okay for a beginner session, but it’s inconsistent, so don’t expect a constant stream. Saturday keeps the small east swell going, around 3ft, but with lighter offshore wind in the morning and even glassy conditions by the afternoon. The energy drops to 115 by then, making for some tiny, clean little waves. Nice for a longboard or a learner paddle, but nothing to get excited about.

From Sunday through most of the following week, we hit a flat spell. Sunday morning is only 2ft and glassy, then it drops further into the week with poor conditions and very weak energy – we’re talking values in the 20s and 30s. There’s onshore wind and short-period junk swell. That run of no real surf stretches from the 12th through to at least the 16th of July. Not much to do but wait it out.

Now, things start looking up around Friday the 17th. We’ve got a pulse of east swell coming in at 4ft, with a very long 16-second period. That’s a groundswell, and it’s got some serious energy – 858 on the combined energy scale, which is strong. The wind is clean and cross-off from the SW. This is where it gets interesting. That long period means the waves will have shape and power, but at a beach break like New Brighton, it can be a bit too straight. Might be better if you can find a bank holding it together. It’s promising, but more for experienced surfers.

The real standout, and the best on offer for the whole outlook, is Tuesday the 21st of July in the afternoon. The swell jumps to 6ft east, with an 8-second period – so a shorter, windswell-type wave, but the energy is pumped up to 717. What makes it special is the wind: a steady 9 mph offshore from the WSW. That will groom the face and keep it clean. It’s a big step up in size – over 5ft, so it might push a beginner a bit, but for anyone comfortable in that range, it’s going to be a fun, punchy session. The consistency should be good with that energy. The water temperature is about average for this time of year, nothing weird to report.

Wednesday the 22nd and Thursday the 23rd also hold onto east swell around 4-5ft, with clean offshore winds in the mornings. More good, groomed surf, but not quite the punch of that Tuesday afternoon.

Further out, Friday the 24th and Saturday the 25th look smaller again, dropping back to 4-4ft. The morning of the 25th is glassy with that same east swell and 11-second period, energy at 269 – not bad for a quiet Saturday surf, but it won’t blow you away.

Crowds at New Brighton can pop up sometimes, so on those good days you might have company, but with the patchy nature of this forecast, it probably won’t be a zoo.

So, to sum it up: a slow start, a real dry spell for nearly a week, then a solid pulse from the 17th, with Tuesday the 21st being the pick of the bunch for size and clean conditions. Get out there for that one.

Rusty.

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