Winki Pop Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright, mates, Rusty here. Let’s cut to the chase. The long-range outlook is showing some serious potential for our coast, but it’s not going to be a straight line to glory. We’ve got a slow start to work through before the ocean really wakes up.

The first proper call isn’t until Monday, August 10th. We’ve got a bit of a wait, and the early stuff on Saturday and Sunday is pretty forgettable with onshore slop and small, weak waves. Don't even bother waxing up for that.

Monday morning is when it starts to get interesting. The swell is still a modest 4ft, but it’s coming from the SW with a long period of 19 seconds. That’s beautiful, drawn-out groundswell energy, and the combined energy is a solid 1026. The wind is light and offshore out of the NNW, which should keep things glassy. This is the start of the real action.

The energy builds through the week. Tuesday morning sees a jump in size to 6ft, with the swell direction shifting a bit more WSW. The period drops to 9 seconds, which is a bit shorter, but the power is there with a combined energy reading of 1011. The offshore wind is still holding, so it could be a bit of a beast.

Then we hit the standout window. Thursday, August 13th, through Friday morning, August 14th, is the one to circle on the calendar. The swell pulses up to 8ft, still from the SW, with a solid 16-second period. The energy readings are massive – 3636 and 2897 – that’s some serious, powerful water moving through. Friday morning looks the pick of the bunch with lighter winds and that clean, lined-up SW groundswell. This is a real Winki Pop day, for experienced surfers only. At this size, it’s pushing beyond what beginners should even think about.

The break itself, Winki Pop, is a reef and point set-up that loves this SW direction. It’s fairly exposed, which means it takes the full brunt of the energy. The downside? It’s a consistent break, so you won’t be alone, and the crowds are often there for the good days. The water temp is sitting at 56°, which is about normal for this time of year, so make sure the hood is on.

After that Friday morning peak, the winds start to turn more southerly, and things get a bit messier through the weekend. The swell drops back a bit, and we get some cross-onshore and onshore winds making it choppy. It’s still rideable, but the quality drops right off.

The second week is a bit of a mixed bag. The big energy has faded, and we're looking at smaller swells, mostly in the 2ft to 4ft range. The wind looks better at times, with a few light offshore mornings later in the week, but the size just isn’t there to get excited about. There might be a few clean, small days for the longboard if you’re desperate, but nothing to write home about. The energy readings are low, mostly in the 200–500 range, which tells you the ocean is just catching its breath.

So, the long and short of it: the first week is where it's at, with Friday morning being the standout. The second week looks pretty quiet, so get your fix in early.

Rusty out.

Read more