The Window Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G'day, it's Rusty here. The Window is the only spot on the menu for the next couple of weeks, and it's a classic case of waiting out the bad to get to the good. This spot is a reef setup, so it's got the right shape for the long-period groundswells that are coming, but we've got to pay our dues first.

The water temp is sitting at 67°, which is a touch warmer than normal for this time of year, so you can leave the thickest rubber at home.

The start of the run is rough. Monday afternoon the 10th is a write-off with a strong 28 mph cross-on breeze whipping up a messy 18 ft swell. The combined energy is massive at 8512, but it's all just windblown chaos. Tuesday and Wednesday are much the same story – plenty of swell, but the wind keeps it lumpy and choppy. You'd be wasting your time.

Things start to shift on Thursday morning the 13th. The wind drops to a light cross-shore, the swell settles to 12 ft with a very long 16-second period, and the energy is still hefty at 7230. The conditions are marginal, but the wave quality is starting to show. By Thursday afternoon, it's a light cross-on breeze with a 13 ft SW swell – still a bit of texture on the surface, but the potential is there.

Friday the 14th is where it starts to get interesting. Morning sees a clean 12 ft SW groundswell (16s period) with a light cross-off breeze. The energy is 5262. That's excellent surf if you've got the experience – that's a proper, powerful wave. Friday afternoon? It's glassy. The wind is gone, the swell is a clean 10 ft, and the conditions are described as excellent. That's the window we're chasing.

Saturday the 15th keeps the clean trend going with a cross-off breeze and a 10 ft to 8 ft WSW swell. The period is still a solid 14 seconds. It's not the biggest, but it's clean and fun. Sunday the 16th is a mixed bag – the morning gets a bit windier, but the afternoon cleans right back up with a 12 ft WSW swell at 15 seconds and a gentle cross-off. That's a solid day.

Now, Monday the 17th is a brutal washout. A near-gale onshore wind and a 13 ft W swell makes for a dangerous, messy ocean. Don't even think about it.

But then, Tuesday the 18th is the absolute standout. The morning brings a 15 ft WSW groundswell with a 14-second period, a light cross-off breeze, and utterly clean conditions. The combined energy is a massive 12112. The data calls this exceptional for expert surfers, and I'm not gonna argue. Tuesday afternoon is just as good – same 15 ft swell, clean, with a gentle breeze. If you're an advanced surfer and you've got the time, this is the day. The Window is a reef, and that long-period groundswell is going to wrap in perfectly with the SW optimum direction. Expect a crowd, though – spots like this don't stay quiet when it's this good.

Wednesday the 19th is still very good. The swell drops to 10 ft, but the wind is light and cross-off, and by the afternoon it turns glassy. A classic, clean day on a solid wave.

The end of the run fades out. Thursday the 20th gets windy and messy, and from Friday the 21st through to the end of the run on the 25th, it's a mix of onshore winds, rain, and lumpy conditions. The swell energy is still there, but the quality is gone. The 22nd of August has a clean 15 ft WSW swell, but the wind is moderate and cross-off, so it's worth a look if you're desperate, but it's not the standout.

So, bottom line: the first week is a write-off. The real magic is Friday the 14th through to Wednesday the 19th, with Tuesday the 18th being the absolute gem. After that, it's pretty much done. For the advanced crew only at this size, and keep an eye on the crowd.

Rusty.

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