Three Peaks Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, it’s Rusty.

Honestly, the next couple of weeks are looking pretty grim for a proper paddle. We’ve got a long stretch of tiny, weak surf ahead, and for the most part, you’re better off finding something else to do. The first real chance of anything rideable doesn’t show up until the twentieth, and even then it’s a marginal call.

Let’s break it down day by day. From Saturday the 8th right through the 18th, it’s basically flat to gutless. You’re looking at waves from 0.3ft to 2ft, with the combined energy mostly in the low double digits – weak energy (11 to 79). The wind is all over the place, mostly cross or cross-on, which is just chopping up an already non-existent swell. There’s a bit of a pulse on the 13th and 14th with 3ft of swell, but the energy is still moderate (195 to 204), and the period is short, so it’s just lumpy mush. Forget it.

The one thing worth noting is the water temp. When we finally do get waves, the water is sitting at 68°F, which is a massive 7°F warmer than normal for this time of year. That’s very unusual, so at least you won’t need a thick suit.

Now, the 19th of August is when things start to wake up. We’ve got a jump in swell to 6ft, and the energy is getting strong (292 to 320). But here’s the catch – the period is a short 7 seconds, and the wind is howling from the west at 19 mph, making it a fresh cross-onshore lump. That’s not a clean surf day; that’s a messy, bumpy day. At Three Peaks, a W groundswell with that short period is just going to be closing out and jumbled. This one’s for the kites, not the paddles.

The best of what we’ve got, and it’s a relative term, is on Thursday the 20th. The swell drops to a still-juicy 5ft in the morning, with the energy strong at 223. The wind swings around to the NNW at 16 mph, which is cross-offshore and clean. That’s the standout window. It’s a bit under the 5ft mark, so it’s manageable for a strong beginner, but the short 7-second period means it won’t have much push. The afternoon eases a little to 4ft, still clean and cross-off. It’s not perfect, but it’s the only time in the whole run where the conditions line up. The wave comment calls it “marginal,” and I’d agree – it’s a “maybe” day, not a “go” day.

After that, it fades back down. The 21st and 22nd have some small, clean waves in the mornings – around 2ft – but they’re just ordinary. The 23rd has a morning offshore NE wind with 1ft, but it’s tiny. Three Peaks is a fairly consistent break, but it needs more than this to be fun.

So, to sum it up: if you’re desperate, clear your schedule for the 20th of August. It’s the only real chance, but keep your expectations low. The long-range stuff is promising but less certain, so we’ll just have to see if that swell holds together. It won’t stay this poor for long, so don’t lose hope.

Rusty.

Read more