Sandtracks Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. I’ve had a look at the charts for Sandtracks, and I’ve got to be straight with you – it’s a grim run ahead. There isn’t a single day in this 16-day window worth paddling out for. Not one. The forecast is a long, drawn-out stretch of poor surf conditions all the way from Sunday, July 5th, right through to Monday, July 20th.

It starts with a bit of energy on the Sunday morning – a 3 ft SSW groundswell with a long 18-second period, giving a moderate combined energy of 894. Sounds okay on paper, but that clean, long-period potential is ruined by a fresh 22 mph cross-shore wind from the ENE. The water’s a warm 80°F, about average for the time of year, but you won’t be enjoying it. The wave comment is “poor surf conditions” and it stays that way all day.

Monday the 6th and Tuesday the 7th are more of the same – same cross-wind, same rough, lumpy ocean. Swell sizes hover around 3 ft with moderate energy, but the wind is relentless. Tuesday afternoon sees the period drop to a weak 7 seconds on an ENE swell, and it’s all just messy.

Wednesday the 8th kicks up a bit with a 5 ft to 6 ft ENE swell, but the period is short at 7-8 seconds and the wind strengthens to a strong 25 mph in the morning. The energy drops to moderate (550). It’s messy cross-chop. Not a wave you want to be out in.

From Thursday July 9th right through to Monday July 20th, it just drags on. Swell sizes range from 2 ft to 7 ft, but the wind stays cross-shore or cross-onshore, mostly from the ENE or E, between 9 and 25 mph. The combined energy stays moderate at best – dipping into the 200s and 300s by the second week. The rare bits of 18-second groundswell are completely wasted. A point break or reef would love that long period, but here it just makes for tricky, sectiony waves on a beach-and-reef setup that’s constantly chopped up.

Honestly, this setup looks more interesting for kite surfing than paddle surfing with that constant cross-wind. If you’re determined to get wet, wait for the last few days around Saturday July 18th and into the 20th – the wind eases to a gentle or moderate breeze, and there’s a 3 ft to 5 ft easterly swell with a short period. But even then, “poor surf conditions” is the call. It’s a long, blank run for Sandtracks. For now, leave the board on the rack.

Rusty.

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