Thompsons Bay Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G'day, I'm Rusty. Let's have a look at what's on offer for Thompsons Bay over the next couple of weeks.

We've got a bit of a rough start here, mate. The first week is pretty much a write-off for anything decent. The conditions are getting knocked around by onshore and cross-shore winds, and the swell is messy. There's a stretch from Monday the 6th right through to the end of that first week where the surf just isn't worth paddling out for. You'll see poor surf conditions day after day, with the odd bit of energy but never lining up with the wind.

Now, the water temperature is sitting about average for this time of year, so you won't need the thickest steamer, but a spring suit will do fine.

After a week of frustration, we finally get a genuine highlight. Tuesday the 14th of July is your best bet. On Tuesday morning, the wind swings to the south at just 3 mph, going glassy. The swell is coming from the south at 3 ft with a 12-second period, pushing through solid moderate energy (479). It's a sheltered spot, so that southerly groundswell will wrap in clean as a whistle. The conditions will be smooth, with no wind chop. It's a fairly consistent break, though you might have a few others with the same idea as crowds are possible. For an intermediate surfer, this is the session to aim for.

There's another glimmer on Monday the 20th of July. Early morning looks glassy again with a westerly swell of 5 ft from the east-northeast. That shorter period (7 seconds) means it'll be a bit softer, but with glassy conditions, it'll be clean and fun. The combined energy is moderate (432), so it won't be pumping, but it'll be rideable and pleasant under a clear sky.

Towards the end of the window, on Tuesday the 21st, we get another glassy morning with a 6 ft swell from the northeast. Same short period means it's not a proper groundswell, but the wind is from the northeast at just 3 mph, making it glassy. The energy is moderate (731), and for a break that's usually cross-shore, this is a rare clean opportunity. Still, that shorter period means the waves might be a bit fat and less defined, but if you want a paddle without the wind in your face, it's a goer.

The rest of the second week is patchy. There's a big pulse of swell around Thursday the 16th of July, with a 13 ft south-southwest swell, but the wind is howling from the southwest at 19 mph, creating lumpy conditions. That's too big for beginners and only for experts, and frankly, with that wind, it's going to be a washing machine. Looks more interesting for kite surfing than a paddle session, to be honest.

So, to sum it up: keep your eyes on Tuesday the 14th and Monday the 20th. Everything else in between is a bit of a gamble or a total dud. The first week is a blank run, so don't get your hopes up early.

Stay stoked, Rusty.

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