Tarcoola (Chanteez) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what the next couple of weeks are shaping up to be for the Tarcoola region. It’s a bit of a wild ride, so strap in.

The immediate picture is the biggest issue. There’s a serious pulse of energy rolling in, and while the swell direction is right out of the southwest, and there is plenty of it, it's simply going to be too much for our main spot. We're looking at a run of days with clean conditions but just too much water moving through. The water temp is sitting around 67°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so you’ll want the rubber regardless.

We kick things off Monday afternoon, August 3rd. There’s surf on the way but it’s already cross-on with a bit of chop, so not the best start. The energy is moderate (938), but the quality just isn't there.

Tuesday morning, August 4th, has a bit smaller swell at 5ft but it’s still pretty marginal. The afternoon is where it starts to get interesting. The swell jumps to a solid 8ft, and while the wind is cross-on, it's light. The energy is ramping up (3488), but it’s just too big.

Wednesday the 5th, the size keeps climbing. Morning is 7ft with a cross-off breeze, so it’s clean, but this break is already pushing past its limits. The wind turns more southerly and gets stronger in the afternoon, adding some cross-chop to the 8ft waves. This is a recurring theme for the next week or so.

Thursday the 6th and Friday the 7th, it just keeps pumping. You're looking at 10ft and 8ft swells, with the energy staying strong (4158 and 3710 on Thursday). The conditions are fair, but this is expert-only territory, and honestly, it’s probably not even that. Too much water moving for a quality session.

The weekend isn't any better. Saturday the 8th and Sunday the 9th have 8ft to 10ft surf. Sunday morning has a nice clean cross-off wind, but the size is just too big. The energy peaks on that Sunday morning at a very strong 5254. It's going to be a washing machine out there. If you're not an expert, don't even think about it.

Monday the 10th, we finally get a drop in size, down to a more manageable 8ft. Monday morning is glassy, with zero wind, and that is a huge positive. However, it’s still a lot of water, and the break is struggling to hold it together.

From Tuesday the 11th through Thursday the 13th, we have a fresh breeze building and the swell staying stubbornly large at 8ft to 10ft. It’s choppy, lumpy, and messy. The energy is still strong, hitting 5074 on Tuesday afternoon. This is where I would genuinely be looking at the kites rather than the surfboard. The conditions are just poor for paddling.

Now, here’s the light at the end of the tunnel. Friday the 14th of August is the standout. The swell drops to a much more reasonable 5ft, but more importantly, the wind swings around to the ENE and blows offshore. The energy calms down to a moderate 1333. This is our window. The offshore wind will groom those 5ft SW swell lines into something surfable. It’s an excellent window for the experienced crew, and by far the best conditions we’ve seen in over a week. It’s still not for the beginners, as it's got a bit of push, but this is the one to circle.

After that little taste, the surf remains in that 6ft to 7ft zone. Saturday the 15th has some decent morning conditions with a cross-off breeze, and then Sunday the 16th gets blown out by a strong NE wind. Early next week, on Monday the 17th and Tuesday the 18th, the size backs down to 5ft-6ft, and we get some clean, cross-off mornings again. It's looking like a return to more playful surf, with the energy dropping back down to moderate levels.

So, overall: a long stretch of oversized, blown-out surf, followed by a welcome drop in size and wind that marks Friday the 14th as the pick of the fortnight. After that, the conditions stay cleaner and more manageable. It’s going to be a test of patience, but there are waves to be had if you pick your moments.

Rusty.

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