Tarcoola (Chanteez) Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, it’s Rusty.

Alright, let’s cut straight to it. We’ve got a solid 16-day window ahead, but it’s not going to be all plain sailing. The first few days have some real size, but the wind and conditions are going to be the deciding factor. The standout period is definitely the middle of the first week and into the weekend after that. The long-range stuff is promising, but I’d take it with a grain of salt until we get closer.

The action starts this Saturday, August 1st, at Tarcoola (Chanteez). Water temp is sitting at 66°, which is a bit colder than normal for this time of year, so don’t forget the booties if you’re prone to cold feet. Saturday morning, we’ve got 6.5ft of SW swell with a 15-second period. The energy is moderate at 1844, but the cross-shore wind is making things a little lumpy. The afternoon cleans up slightly but the wind picks up, and the swell jumps a touch to 6.9ft. It’s surfable, but not perfect.

Sunday the 2nd is the first real standout. Morning is the call: clean, offshore ENE wind at 15 mph, with the swell at 7.5ft from the SW at 14 seconds. The energy’s up to 2216, which is solid. This will be the best shape of the early period, but remember, that’s pushing into the size where it’s not for beginners. If you’re not comfortable in larger surf, give this one a miss. The afternoon is a downgrade with a cross-shore wind.

Monday the 3rd is a letdown. The swell drops to 5.2ft, but the wind goes cross-shore and then cross-onshore, making it messy. Not worth your time.

Tuesday the 4th has some size in the afternoon, 7.9ft with a very long 18-second period, and the energy jumps to 3723, which is strong. The problem is the cross-onshore wind. It’s going to be lumpy, and with that size, it might be more of a battle than a pleasure.

Wednesday the 5th is another morning call. The wind is light and cross-offshore, and the swell is 6.9ft at 16 seconds, clean and lined up. It’s a good wave, solid energy at 2080. The afternoon gets a bit bigger at 8.2ft, but the cross-onshore wind spoils it.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. From Thursday the 6th through to Sunday the 9th, the swell just keeps pumping, but it’s getting too big and messy. Thursday morning is 9.8ft, but the wind is onshore. By Saturday the 8th, it’s a full-on 14.8ft with a fresh cross-onshore breeze. The energy readings are off the charts – 8530 on Saturday afternoon. This isn’t a paddle-surfing situation; it’s a full-on heavy water event. With that much swell and strong wind on a beach setup, this looks more interesting for the kite crew than for us on a surfboard. We're talking 14.8ft plus, it’s expert-only territory, and that’s if you can get out.

But hold on. Sunday the 9th is the big one. The swell is huge, 16.4ft in the morning, but the wind is light and cross-offshore. The energy is massive at 15976. This is a monster groundswell. This is a day for the experts only, and only at the most protected spots. Tarcoola is exposed, so it’s going to be a washing machine, but the potential for a ride of your life is there for the elite. If you're not in that bracket, stay on the beach.

After that, things start to settle down. Monday the 10th still has a hefty 9.8ft on the morning with clean cross-offshore wind, but the energy is dropping. It’s still big and for experts. Tuesday the 11th and Wednesday the 12th see the size drop to a more manageable 6.9ft with clean, cross-offshore winds. These are the days for the advanced crew to get back out. Good, solid long-period swell at 17 seconds on Wednesday morning.

Thursday the 13th is a highlight as we get into the second week. A fresh offshore NE wind in the morning with 5.6ft swell, but it's a bit inconsistent. The afternoon is the money shot: light offshore wind and the swell pumping back up to 8.2ft from the SW with a very long 19-second period. The energy is up at 4248. This has the hallmarks of a classic. But it’s more than a week away, so while it looks great, don’t book your flights just yet.

Friday the 14th looks good in the morning with clean cross-offshore

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