Sixtynine Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, I’m Rusty, and here’s the outlook for the next couple of weeks around the Sixtynine break.

Look, I’ve gotta be straight with you – the surf scene for the foreseeable future is pretty flat and quiet. The entire 16-day window is one long stretch with nothing to get excited about. The first record kicks off on Wednesday, 12th August, but don’t be fooled. From that morning right through until the end of the period on Thursday, 27th August, every session is marked as poor surf conditions. That’s over two weeks of the same story.

Wednesday morning, 12th August, starts with a tiny 0.3m swell (that’s about 1 foot) from the west, period a touch short at 11 seconds, and a cross-shore NNE breeze at 15 km/h (around 9 mph) kicking up a slight cross-chop. Combined energy is only 22 – that’s weak, no power behind it. Water temp’s sitting at 27°C (81°F), which is about 0.8°C (1°F) warmer than average for this time of year, so nothing wild there. The afternoon doesn’t improve – still 0.3m (1 ft), period stretches to 13 seconds, but wind lightens a bit to 10 km/h (6 mph), still cross-shore. Still poor.

Thursday 13th and Friday 14th August just roll on with the same theme: 0.2m to 0.3m swells (0.7 to 1 ft), cross-shore winds picking up to 20–25 km/h (12–16 mph), and combined energy bouncing between 10 and 36. Not a wave worth paddling for. Saturday 15th August brings a bit more wind – NE at 40–45 km/h (25–28 mph), cross-offshore, which cleans the surface, but the swell’s still a pathetic 0.2–0.3m (0.7–1 ft). Energy readings of 25 and 26. No go.

Sunday 16th August has a risk of thunderstorms, but a bit of hope with a tiny 0.4m swell (1 ft) and an offshore NW breeze at 5 km/h (3 mph) in the afternoon, period at 12 seconds, energy at 49 – still weak. Monday 17th August afternoon goes glassy with a light easterly, but the swell’s back to 0.3m (1 ft).

From Tuesday 18th August through to Thursday 27th August, it’s the same low-grade dribble. Swell heights rarely break 0.4m (1 ft), periods mostly 10–12 seconds, energy readings in the single digits or low teens at best. Winds flick between light cross-onshore and glassy, but there’s simply no wave to ride. The only notable spike comes on Thursday 20th August, when a long-period 18-second swell from the SW pushes combined energy to 71 and then 87 – moderate energy for a moment – but the swell height is still only 0.3m (1 ft). That’s a tease.

Honestly, there’s no standout day, no standout session. The whole stretch is a write-off for paddle surfing. If you’re a beginner, don’t worry – nothing here is too big (nothing’s over 1.5m, or 5 ft). But there’s also nothing to ride. For the experienced crew, the lack of any decent swell makes it a no-brainer to stay home.

Given the constant poor conditions, this blank run is just what this area does sometimes. Forecasts can change, but for now, the boards stay dry.

- Rusty

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