Telescopes Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Righto, let’s have a proper look at what’s on the cards for Telescopes.

We’ve got a solid run of SSW groundswell rolling in, and the first real action kicks off on Wednesday morning the 19th of August. There’s a big pulse of energy – we’re talking 3797 in the combined energy reading – with an 8ft swell running at 18 seconds. That’s proper long-period groundswell, and with a light cross-off breeze from the SSE, the reef at Telescopes is going to have some serious, clean lines. Sets will be well-spaced and powerful, but this is all for the experienced crew only. At that size and period, it’s not for the faint-hearted. The water temp is sitting around average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

Thursday the 20th is a real standout. Thursday morning still has clean, cross-off conditions with a 8ft SSW swell at 16 seconds, but it’s Thursday afternoon that really gets me going. The wind drops right out to glassy conditions – dead calm – and you’ve got a 8ft SSW swell with that same 16-second period. The energy is still high at 2754, and the wave quality is excellent. That’s the pick of the week for anyone who can handle it. Crowds are sometimes an issue here, so you might have to share, but on a Thursday it could be better than the weekend.

Friday the 21st sees the swell dropping a touch to 6ft in the morning and 6ft in the afternoon, but the wind stays cross-off and the period holds at 15 seconds. Still very good, but not the standout size. Saturday the 22nd builds again to 7ft, though a risk of thunderstorms and stronger cross-off breeze makes it a bit less inviting. The energy is still substantial but the quality dips a little.

Sunday the 23rd and Monday the 24th are a bit mixed. The swell backs off, and while there are clean windows, the wind gets a bit fresher and cross-shore. Tuesday the 25th through to Wednesday the 26th sees the swell drop further into the 3ft to 5ft range with lower energy, but still clean in the mornings. It’s more of a mellow, fun-sized wave for the intermediate crowd.

Then we get another pulse of long-period SSW swell around Thursday the 27th of August. That morning starts at just 3ft but the period jumps to 18 seconds – long gaps, punchy little waves on the reef. The afternoon builds to 5ft at 17 seconds, and conditions are clean. That’s a solid late-week option.

Friday the 28th holds at 5ft, clean, light winds. Good, dependable surf. Saturday the 29th and Sunday the 30th are smaller again, in the 4ft to 5ft range, but with light winds, especially Sunday morning with a 4ft SW swell at 16 seconds.

Now, looking into the first week of September, Monday the 31st of August and Tuesday the 1st of September deliver another strong pulse. Tuesday morning has a 8ft SSW swell at 17 seconds with a moderate cross-off breeze – big, clean, powerful, for the experts. Tuesday afternoon is even better: same 8ft size, 16 seconds, but with only a light breeze. That’s a true standout for the second week, but it’s further out so keep an eye on it. Wednesday the 2nd is still good at 7ft, and Thursday the 3rd rounds out the run with 5ft clean surf.

If I had to call the absolute best on offer, it’s Thursday afternoon the 20th of August – glassy, 8ft, long-period groundswell on a reef. And for the long-range promise, Tuesday the 1st of September afternoon looks like a cracker too, though less certain this far out. Crowds are possible at Telescopes, especially on the weekends, so aim for midweek sessions.

Rusty.

Read more