The groyne Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. It’s been a pretty quiet run for The Groyne, and honestly, for the first week and a half, there’s next to nothing worth paddling out for. The break is a reef setup at The Groyne, and we’re aiming for swell out of the SE, which is what it really likes. The water’s sitting at 67°, which is a bit colder than what we’d normally expect for this time of year – about 3° below average, so you’ll feel that nip.

The outlook starts on Tuesday 28 July, but it’s a no-go. Tiny swell at 1ft from the ESE, period of 11 seconds, and the combined energy is a measly 31 (weak). The wind is a light cross from the S at 6 mph, but the surf is just poor. That theme carries right through the first week. Wednesday 29 July has a glassy morning with a 2ft E swell, but the period is a short 6 seconds, and the energy is only 40. It’s small and weak. Thursday 30 July sees a jump in energy to 161 (moderate) in the afternoon with 4ft from the SE, but the wind is a moderate cross-onshore at 12 mph, making it choppy and messy. Friday 31 July has similar energy around 151, but the wind and chop ruin it.

Saturday 1 August and Sunday 2 August are more of the same – poor conditions, with the swell sitting around 3ft to 5ft, and the wind mostly cross-on. The energy on Sunday hits 243 (moderate), but the wind is cross-on and the surf is described as poor. It’s just not coming together.

There’s a gap of several days here with no real recommendation. The surfable waves don’t show up until Monday 3 August morning. That’s the first real flicker of hope. The Groyne sees a 3ft E swell, period of 7 seconds, with a light cross-offshore wind from the SW at 3 mph. The combined energy is 185 (moderate), and the conditions are clean. It’s surfable, but ordinary. The wind is light, so it’s a small window of cleanish waves. Still, 3ft with a short period isn’t going to get the heart racing.

After that, the pattern turns ugly again. Tuesday 4 August has a fresh 19 mph wind from the S, cross-shore, with a 1ft SE swell – tiny and lumpy. The energy is just 99 (weak). The next few days are all poor, with wind howling between 16 and 22 mph, and the swell staying under 5ft until the end of the week.

Now, the standout, and I mean the only one worth circling on the calendar, is Sunday 9 August morning. The Groyne picks up a 8ft ESE swell, period of 10 seconds, with a gentle cross-shore wind from the S at 9 mph. The combined energy is a massive 1725 (very strong). That’s proper groundswell energy. The wind is light and cross-shore, so the conditions should be clean, with a slight cross-chop. The swell is over 8ft, so this is strictly for experts – it’ll be big and powerful, and the reef will be working. The period is 10 seconds, which is solid, and the direction is straight out of the SE, which is what The Groyne is built for. Crowds are possible here, as it’s listed as “sometimes” busy, but on a big Sunday morning, it’ll be worth the fight. This is the best on offer, no question.

Monday 10 August morning is also decent – 6ft ESE swell, 10 seconds, with a gentle cross-shore from the S at 9 mph. Energy is 678 (strong). It’s still big, but the quality is marginal due to tide or setup. The wind is clean enough. Tuesday 11 August morning has a 6ft E swell, period of 11 seconds, with a light cross-shore from the S at 6 mph. Energy is 710 (strong). That’s a long period, so the waves will have good shape, but at a reef break, it should handle it well. The wind is light, so it’ll be clean. Wednesday 12 August morning holds 5ft from the E with an 11-second period, light cross-shore wind, and energy of 619 (strong). Marginal, but still waves.

So, the long and short of it: the first week is a total write-off. The only real standout is Sunday 9 August morning, with a big, powerful groundswell and clean conditions. If you’re an expert, that’s your day. The following Monday and Tuesday mornings are also worth a look, but they’re a step down. For the rest, you’re better off staying dry.

Rusty.

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