(NOTE: Reviews may be edited by our content team for the purposes of ensuring accurate and relevant information)
“For most of the 1980's and 1990's I had the privilege of surfing this world class surf beach. I have heard it said and read the same comment on the internet- "Waitpinga, the beach that never goes flat." This is mostly true as you might get unsurfable small days with offshores, about once every 3 years.
The beach itself is a fairly straight looking embayment between Newland Head at the eastern end and Waitpinga/Parsons Point to the west end. It is approx 3.2 km long.
The surf at this beach is breaking on top of regularly moving sand banks and is both hollow and walling. The surf here is most ridden between 1.5 m and 3.5 m. The surf steps up out of deeper water in a peaky dumping section before backing off into a wall as it passes into the rip channels.
My favorite time of year is winter because often there is a big SW storm blowing followed by an offshore wind overnight, which is developing a head of the next SW wind change. What does this mean? It means big lumpy looking swell on new sandbanks at Waitpinga with offshores. Often I would paddle out and surf all day alone picking off 4 to 6 meter lumps with barrels comparable to pipeline in Hawaii. This demonstrates Waitpinga's other potential as a real adrenalin junkies fixer upper. The offshores during winter can be intermittent but the other side of the coin is that I have seen offshores for 2 weeks at a time and that happens often in winter.
A 6'8 to 7'2 is good for this bigger winter stuff. best offshores N, and NE, but will accept NW winds better nearer to Waitpinga /Parsons Point.”
Steeve Whitehead from AUSTRALIA - 18 Feb 2012
Waitpinga Ratings
Overall: 1.0. Based on 2 votes and 1 review. Vote
Quality on a good day: 3.0(1 star: Even when the swell and winds are optimum, the waves are poor quality, 5 stars: If conditions are right, the waves will be World Class). |
Consistency of Surf: 3.5(1: Waitpinga is a fickle surf spot that only works a few times a year. 5: Reliable year-round spot). |
Regional Rating: 4.0(1: Waitpinga is usually very poor quality compared to other spots in Adelaide. 5: the best break in Adelaide). |
Difficulty Level: 4.0(1: Suitable for Groms. 3: Intermediates. 5: Expert tow-in surfers only). |
Onshore Wind: 3.0(1: even a light onshore ruins the surf. 5: Waitpinga can offer better rides with a light wind behind them). |
Other Options: 3.0(1: If wind or tide conditions are poor at Waitpinga, it will be poor everywhere nearby. 5: other locations nearby provide a rich variety of wind and swell exposures). |
Wind and Kite Surfing: 2.0(1: An unsuitable spot. 5: Wind and wave conditions at Waitpinga are often excellent). |
Water Quality: 5.0(1: Known health risks from pollution. 5: Never any pollution). |
Crowds: 3.5(1: Often too crowded. 5: Waitpinga is an isolated spot where you are unlikely to meet other surfers). |
Access: 5.0(1: Getting to Waitpinga requires an overland expedition or chartering a boat. 3: A 30 minute walk from the nearest parking. 5: Park a vehicle right by the break). |
Scenery: 4.0(1: An ugly industrial backdrop. 5: A spectacular setting). |
Local Attitude: 5.0(1: Locals are hostile to visitors. 5: Either there are no locals who surf, or else they are accommodating and friendly). |
Accommodation: 3.0(1: No convenient places to stay indoors. 5: A wide variety of accommodation near Waitpinga for all budgets from hostels to luxury hotels). |
Camping: 3.0(1: Camping at Waitpinga is not possible. 3: Camping tolerated but no facilities. 5: A nearby camp ground has excellent facilities and a good vibe). |
Entertainment: 2.0(1: Besides the surf and the solitude there is nothing to do when it is flat. 5: Waitpinga is in such an interesting area to visit that getting wet is a bonus). |
Equipment and Repairs: 2.0(1: Nothing can be sourced, not even wax. 5: Quality surfing equipment can be purchased or hired. Major repairs can be fixed too). |
Eating: 2.0(1: Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop. 5: A wide variety of places to eat and drink at Waitpinga, from fast food and cafes to fancy restaurants). |
Drinking: 2.0(1: Alcohol is not allowed in the country. 5: There is an excellent pub near Waitpinga where you can stay or park a camper van overnight). |
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