Windmills Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let's have a look at what we've got coming down the line. This is a tricky one, I gotta be honest with ya. The bulk of the next 16 days is going to be a write-off for most of us, but there's a few windows that might just get your heart racing if you're patient and you've got the right board.

For the most part, we're looking at a massive, powerful, and unruly ocean. The forecast is dominated by a serious, long-period groundswell that's just going to be too mean for the average paddle. The water's sitting at a balmy 66°F, which is a touch warmer than usual for this time of year, so at least you won't be freezing while you're getting hammered.

The first week is a real struggle. From Wednesday the 5th right through to Tuesday the 11th, the swell is just too big, pushing 10 ft to 15 ft, and the wind is almost always onshore or cross-onshore, making a mess of things. The energy is massive, often in the thousands (6037 to 12246), but it's not surfable. You'd be a fool to try. This is strictly a "watch from the cliff" kind of period.

Now, here's where it gets interesting. The first real standout arrives on Wednesday, August the 12th. This is your window. The swell drops to a still-very-chunky 8 ft, coming from the SW with a long 16-second period. The energy is still significant (3383), but that's for experienced surfers only. The kicker is the wind. We get a cross-offshore breeze in the morning and then *glassy* conditions by the afternoon. The break is Windmills, and for a short window, it's going to be clean. This is big, powerful, groundswell. It's going to be a freight train, so only for the experts who can handle the size and the current. The long period means there will be plenty of time between sets, so you can get your breath back.

The following day, Thursday, August the 13th, is another promising one. The swell is still 8 ft to 10 ft with a very long period of 17 to 18 seconds. The energy is still high (4374 to 5254), but again, the wind gods are smiling. We get clean cross-offshore breezes in the morning and glassy conditions in the afternoon. This is a high-performance setup, but again, it's for the experienced crew. The long period will make the waves stand up tall and wall up, but at a beach break like this, they might be a bit too straight and hard to ride. Still, the conditions will be pristine.

The following week gets messy again. There's a marginal window on Friday, August the 14th with a smaller 7 ft to 8 ft swell and clean cross-offshore winds, but the energy drops off a cliff (2362 to 2541), and it's only rated as marginal. It's a maybe, but not a standout.

The rest of the forecast is a washout. The swell pumps back up to 10 ft to 16 ft, the wind turns onshore or cross-onshore, and the energy goes through the roof (up to 14277). It's just a big, angry, blown-out mess until the very end of the period.

So, to sum it up for you: The best on offer is the Wednesday the 12th and Thursday the 13th of August. The surf will be big, powerful, and clean. It's a rare treat for the experienced surfer, but if you're a beginner, stay well clear. The rest of the 16 days is a long, painful gap with no real recommendations. It's a tough run, but when it finally comes together, it looks like it could be a session to remember... for the right people.

Stay safe, and check the tides.

Rusty.

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