The Pines Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Righto, let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for The Pines, a rarely breaking reef break that’s best for beginners when it does fire. The water temperature is sitting at 58°, which is about average for this time of year, so nothing wild there.

The forecast starts with a bit of a mixed bag. Friday afternoon, 10 July, we’ve got some 5ft SSW swell with a 14-second period, making for a gentle offshore breeze and clean conditions. The combined energy is moderate (752), so it’s surfable, but nothing to write home about.

Saturday, 11 July, the wind kicks up hard from the NW at 25 mph in the morning, so while the swell is small at 3ft, it’s a strong offshore – clean but a nightmare to paddle into. Later that afternoon, the swell jumps to 10ft from the SW, with a cross-off wind, but the conditions are poor. That’s too big for beginners anyway.

Sunday, 12 July, and Monday, 13 July, sees solid SSW swell building, peaking at 15ft on Sunday afternoon with a combined energy of 10124 – that’s strong. The period sits at 13 seconds, so it’s a groundswell, but the wind is cross-off, and the conditions are marginal. This is expert-only territory, and the long period means it’ll be breaking straight at this reef, so it’s a bit tricky.

Tuesday, 14 July, holds similar energy, with 13ft SSW swell and a 16-second period, still cross-off winds. The wave energy is very strong (7582), but again, it’s marginal.

Now, the standout window. Wednesday, 15 July, morning is where it gets interesting. The swell drops to 8ft from the SSW, period 15 seconds, and the wind is light offshore from the NW at just 3 mph. The combined energy is 2563 – still moderate to strong – but the conditions are clean. That afternoon, the wind goes glassy from the SE, and the swell settles to 7ft. This is the best on offer: clean, glassy, and manageable for experienced surfers. The long period (15 seconds) will give it good shape, but at a reef break, that’s a bonus.

Thursday, 16 July, through Friday, 17 July, stays clean with 6ft to 7ft SSW swell, light winds, and periods of 14 to 16 seconds. The combined energy is moderate (1265 to 2049). These are solid, clean days for an intermediate or better surfer, but the crowds are often here, so you’ll have company.

The surf then fades from Saturday, 18 July, with a drop to 4ft and poor conditions, and then a lull through Sunday, 19 July, with small swell and strong offshore winds. That’s a gap of a few days with nothing worth chasing.

The second week starts to show promise again. Wednesday, 22 July, morning sees a massive 15ft SW swell with a 13-second period and moderate offshore winds. The combined energy is 6494 – very strong. This is excellent for experienced surfers only, but the wind is solid. Thursday, 23 July, stays big with 13ft SSW swell, but the wind turns cross-shore, bringing a chop, so it’s less clean.

Friday, 24 July, morning is another highlight: 10ft SSW swell, 14-second period, and gentle offshore winds from the WNW. The combined energy is 3869, and the conditions are very good. This is a promising day for strong surfers, but it’s a week and a half away, so keep an eye on it.

The run ends with smaller, clean surf on Saturday, 25 July, with 6ft to 5ft, but the energy drops off.

Overall, the best bet is Wednesday, 15 July, with that glassy afternoon session. The second week’s standout is Friday, 24 July, morning, if you can wait. The Pines is a rare break, so when it’s on, it’s worth the effort – just expect company.

Rusty.

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