Shida Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, it’s Rusty here. Let’s look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks.

The window opens with a bit of a whimper, not a bang. We’ve got some small, weak surf kicking around for the first few days, but nothing that’s going to get the heart rate up. It’s a bit of a slow burner, so don’t rush out there expecting much. The energy in the water is weak, with values dipping down around the 134 to 204 mark in the early days.

The first day that’s actually worth a paddle is Sunday, August 24th. The swell is still building, but we’re looking at a clean 6 ft to 6 ft from the SE. The period is a solid 16 seconds, which is proper groundswell. Water temp is sitting at 79°, pretty much bang on average for this time of year, so you won’t need a springy. The wind is a light offshore, keeping things glassy. It’s still a bit much for the groms, but for the intermediates and up, this is where it starts to get fun.

The standout days are Monday, August 25th and Tuesday, August 26th. Monday morning sees 8 ft from the SSE with a 16-second period. By Tuesday, it’s holding at 8 ft with a 15-second period, and the offshore wind is still in our favor. The combined energy is pumping, in the 2300 to 2849 range, which is strong. This is that bigger, more powerful swell; the more experienced surfers are going to be frothing. It’s a bit too heavy for beginners at this size, no doubt.

Now, for the point break at Shida, this long-period SE groundswell is going to be in its element. This is a spot that likes a solid, lined-up swell. The wind is going to be offshore or cross-offshore for most of the run, which will keep the faces clean. Just a heads-up, Shida can be inconsistent, so you might wait a bit between sets, but when they come, they’ll be worth it. The crowd factor is there, too, so if the conditions are firing, you won’t be alone. Expect it to be busy.

The energy really goes through the roof on Thursday, August 27th, with the combined swell energy hitting 4508 to 5027. But the swell is forecast to be 10 ft. That’s just too much for Shida. It’s going to be a washing machine, and you’ll be in for a beating. It’s only for the absolute experts, and even then, it’s probably not the smartest choice. That holds through to the 29th.

Things start to ease back down into the second week. The weekend of the 30th and 31st has some surfable waves, but it’s not nearly as clean or as powerful. It’s a bit of a comedown after that solid pulse. The long-period energy has faded, and the swell direction is a bit more easterly, which isn’t as ideal for this break.

In summary, the glory window is the 24th through the 26th. That’s your chance to get some proper, meaty, offshore waves at Shida. Get out there and enjoy it.

Rusty.

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