Thirroul Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G'day, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what's on the cards for the Illawarra over the next couple of weeks, and I'll be straight with you – it's a bit of a mixed bag, but there are a couple of windows worth getting excited about.

First thing to note, the water temp at Thirroul is sitting at 65°, which is pretty much spot on average for this time of year, so no nasty surprises when you hit the water.

We're kicking off on Friday the 31st of July, but honestly, it's a bit of a write-off to start. We've got a solid 7ft swell from the south, but the wind is a cross-on SSE breeze, and the combined energy is pumping at a strong 1206. It's all a bit messy and choppy, and the tide is questionable. Saturday morning the 1st of August is still looking average with a cross-shore wind, but then things get interesting. Saturday afternoon, the wind drops to a complete glass-off, and we've got a clean 5ft SSE swell. That's a session worth chasing – it'll be clean and fun on the right bank.

Sunday the 2nd of August is the real standout. We've got a solid 5ft SE groundswell, with a long 12-second period, and the morning is glassy with a light cross-offshore NNW breeze. The energy is a moderate 665, and it's looking very good. This is the one to circle. The long period means it'll be better shaped, but it might be a bit straight for the beach, so keep an eye on the banks. Crowds are possible here, so get in early.

After that, the swell drops off and the week ahead looks pretty ordinary. Monday the 3rd has a tiny 3ft swell, and by Tuesday the 4th, we're down to 0.7ft – basically a flat spell. Expect a run of a few days with very little to offer until we get a bounce back.

Thursday the 6th of August morning sees a glassy 5ft S swell, but the period is a short 8 seconds, so it'll be a bit weak and jumbled. Friday the 7th of August morning is another glassy morning with a 5ft SSE swell and moderate energy (401). That's a decent option, but it won't have the same grunt as Sunday.

From Saturday the 8th onwards, the swell slowly fades for the rest of the second week. We get a few small clean windows on Monday the 10th of August morning with a 1ft swell, and Tuesday the 11th of August morning with a 2ft ESE swell, but it's all very small and ordinary. The wind stays clean, but the waves are just not there. The 13th and 14th of August offer a few glassy mornings with near-flat conditions, but it's really a case of waiting for the next proper swell.

So, bottom line: this Sunday the 2nd of August is your best bet by a long shot – get out there for that clean, long-period SE groundswell. The Friday the 7th morning is a solid backup. The rest is a long, quiet stretch.

Rusty.

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