Tarcoola (Chanteez) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, Rusty here, and it’s a mixed bag on the radar for Tarcoola (Chanteez). We’ve got a solid run of groundswell on the way, but the size of it is going to lock out all but the most experienced crew for a while. The first real window of opportunity that’s not just a massive, dangerous wall of water is this coming Saturday, the 15th of August.

Let’s be real: the first several days, from Wednesday the 12th right through to early next week, are all about a long-period SW groundswell that’s just too damn big. We’re talking 8ft to 8ft SW swell, with periods of 15 to 16 seconds. That’s proper groundswell, and for a beachie like Tarcoola, it’s going to be a heaving, close-out mess for most folk. The combined energy is massive, racking up between 3499 and 3832 (moderate to strong wave energy) – it’s powerful, but it’s not for the faint-hearted. The wind is usually offshore in the mornings, which is a treat, but that swell size is just too much for a beginner. The water temp is about normal for this time of year, so no drama there.

The real standout, and the one I’d be circling on the calendar, is Saturday morning, the 15th of August. The swell drops back to 6ft from the SW, still with a nice 14-second period, and the combined energy settles down to 1505 (moderate). The wind swings around to a light ENE breeze, so it’s a clean offshore. That’s the sweet spot. It’s not too big, it’s glassy, and it’s got that long-period energy to push through cleanly. For experienced surfers, that’s the pick of the entire 16-day window. Just be aware that crowds are possible at this spot, so get in early.

After that, Sunday the 16th morning has a smaller 4ft swell with solid offshore wind, but it’s a bit long-period for that size, so it might be a bit fat and slow. The following week, from Monday the 17th, it gets messy again – onshore winds and building swell. By Wednesday the 19th, we’re back to huge 12ft SW swell with a combined energy of 10910 (very strong wave energy), which is kite-surf territory, not paddle. The wind is onshore, so it’s all chop and no joy.

We then hit a bit of a dead spot from the 21st to the 25th of August. The wind is howling onshore at 18-25 mph, and the swell is dropping off with poor conditions. The combined energy drops to just 441 (weak) by the 25th. It’s a proper lull.

The very last day in the window, Thursday the 27th of August, is a promising one way out. A 8ft SW swell with a 14-second period, and a clean ENE offshore wind. The combined energy is 1857 (moderate). It’s a long-range call, but if the models hold, that’s another morning to get excited about. Just remember, the swell is over 7ft, so it’s still for the experienced crew.

Best bet: Saturday morning, the 15th of August. Get on it.

Rusty.

Read more