Reef Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the table for the coming weeks.

Honestly, this stretch is a tough one. We're looking at a long, frustrating run of tiny surf with poor conditions. The energy is just not there, and the wind is a persistent problem. The period kicks off on Sunday the 26th of July and it's a flat, messy affair right from the get-go. There isn't a single decent wave to hunt until at least the end of the first week.

From Sunday the 26th right through to Saturday the 8th of August, it's a real grind. The swell is barely a ripple, hovering around 1.0ft to 2ft, and it's coming from the WNW. The problem is the wind. It's a constant cross-shore breeze, mostly from the north to NNW, blowing at 12 to 18 mph. This is keeping the surface lumpy and choppy, making even the small waves a total write-off. The water is warm, sitting at 70°, which is a touch warmer than average for this time of year, but you won't be feeling it with a face full of cross-chop.

There is a faint glimmer of hope for the morning of Monday the 27th of July. For a brief moment, the wind drops to a glassy 3 mph from the north, but the swell is still a pathetic 1.0ft. It's a tease, a perfect surface with nothing to ride. The combined energy of the swells is a weak 15. Not enough to do anything with.

The only real change comes on Wednesday the 5th of August. The swell finally bumps up a little, hitting 2ft from the WNW. The combined energy climbs into the moderate range, hitting 117 on Wednesday morning and 125 in the afternoon. But the wind is still hammering from the NNW at 15 mph, making it a lumpy, cross-shore mess. You'd be fighting the chop more than the wave.

The biggest swell of the entire period shows up on Sunday the 9th of August. We're looking at a 3ft swell from the WNW with a combined energy of 241 – that's a real spike. But the wind is a stiff 21 mph from the N to NNW. This is a classic case of a big, raw, wind-affected swell. For a reef break like *Reef*, which is exposed to the SW, this WNW swell is a bit off-angle, and with those strong cross-shore winds, it's going to be a wind-blown, bumpy wall. The water is warm, but for this size, it's really only for the advanced crew.

The best bet? I hate to say it, but there isn't one. The only window that's even worth a mention is the morning of Tuesday the 4th of August. The wind is a messy cross-shore from the north at 15 mph, but the swell is 2ft from the west, which is a better direction for the reef. The energy is a weak 63. It's not great, but it's the least bad option in a grim forecast.

To be honest, with the consistent cross-shore wind and the small, weak swell, this setup looks more interesting for a kite surfer than a paddle surfer. For us, it's a waiting game. The second week has a bit more size, but the wind is relentless. Keep your board in the car just in case, but don't get your hopes up.

Rusty.

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