Newdicks Beach Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s be straight – the next couple of weeks at Newdicks Beach are a mixed bag, but there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. For the first ten days or so, you’ll be twiddling your thumbs. From now through the end of August, the surf is mostly tiny or messy, with nothing to shout about. Then, just as we head into September, there’s a decent run of swell that might actually get you out of bed.

Right now, Friday August 21, it’s a write-off. Tiny 0.3ft waves from the east with a weak period of 6 seconds, energy is almost nothing (1). Wind is light and cross-offshore, so it’s clean, but there’s simply no push. Saturday morning is similar – 0.3ft with a very long 15 second period from the north, energy still pitiful (8). That long period on a beach and reef setup like Newdicks Beach means it’ll break too straight and won’t offer any shape. Sunday August 23 sees a bump to 4ft from the northwest, but the period drops to a short 5 seconds, energy is 80 – not weak, but the wind is cross, and that short period makes for messy, weak waves. Sunday afternoon gets up to 6ft from the north-northwest with a 6 second period and energy at 237 (moderate), but fresh cross-winds make it lumpy and unappealing. That’s kite-surf territory, not paddle.

Monday through to the end of August stays small and clean in the mornings, with heights between 0.3ft and 2ft, periods mostly under 10 seconds, and energy readings below 105. The wind is often cross-offshore or glassy, which keeps the surface clean, but there’s hardly any swell to work with. The standout opportunity in this first week comes on Monday August 31 morning – 3ft from the north-east with an 11 second period (a touch of groundswell) and energy at 192 (moderate). It’s glassy calm, dead flat wind, so it’ll be clean. But 3ft with that long period on a beach break means it’ll be fat and straight, not offering a lot of wall. Still, if you’re desperate, it’s the best of a poor lot.

Now, the real news comes in on Friday September 4 morning – that’s the one to circle. You’ve got 6ft from the north with a 7 second period, energy pumping at 357 (strong). Wind is light and cross-offshore from the west, meaning clean, peeling faces. That 6ft is solid for most beginners, but not too big – intermediate-friendly. The direction (north) is a touch off the optimum of east-northeast, but with that energy and clean conditions, it’ll be the best session of the fortnight. Friday afternoon stays clean with the same 6ft, period holds at 8 seconds, energy at 426 (very strong). Crowds at Newdicks Beach are sometimes an issue, so get in early. The water temperature is sitting around average for this time of year, nothing unusual to note.

After that, Saturday September 5 morning drops back to 3ft from the north with an 8 second period, energy at 135 (moderate). The wind is light and cross, creating a few ripples – it’s surfable but nothing special compared to Friday.

So, to sum it up: the first ten days are essentially flat or poor. Don’t bother. The standout is Friday September 4 morning – clean 6ft north swell with cross-offshore wind. Get among it. For the rest, keep an eye on the forecast, but don’t hold your breath.

Rusty.

Read more