Winkipop Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. We’ve only got one spot on the radar for the next couple of weeks – Winkipop – and it’s a ripper of a point break that needs a decent S to SE swell to really light up. Let’s see what’s in store.

There’s a bit of a quiet start, but things fire up soon after. The water temp is sittin’ around 63°F, which is about what you’d expect for this time of year – nothin’ out of the ordinary.

We’ve got a taste of what’s comin’ on Sunday morning, August 30th. The swell is a clean 3ft from the south, with a period of 9 seconds. The wind is a light cross-offshore from the WNW at just 3 mph, so the face will be clean. Combined wave energy is moderate at 283. It’s a fun, clean little session to get the week started.

Monday and Tuesday are a write-off – messy onshore winds and dropping swell. Wednesday and Thursday mornings are clean with gentle offshore breezes, but the swell is tiny – down to 2ft or 2ft – and the energy is weak (76 to 90). Not worth paddlin’ out unless you’re desperate for a float.

Then we get a bit of a tease on Friday morning, September 4th. That south swell bumps back up to 3ft with a 10-second period, but the wind swings cross-onshore from the NNW at just 3 mph. Combined energy is moderate at 248, but the onshore touch will put a little ruffle on it – marginal, but could be okay if you’re keen.

Saturday, September 5th is a write-off with a 19 mph northerly cross-onshore, but things take a huge turn. Sunday morning, September 6th is a standout. Swell jumps to 4ft from the south, with a 12-second period, and the wind is glassy – just 3 mph from the SSW, clean cross-offshore. Combined energy is strong at 511. This is proper groundswell, with longer lulls and better-shaped waves. A beautiful morning at Winkipop.

The real main event, though, is Thursday, September 10th through to Friday, September 11th. For the advanced crew, this is the one. On Thursday morning, the swell hits 8ft from the south, 13-second period, with a clean offshore wind from the WSW at 9 mph. Combined energy is massive at 2426. That’s big, powerful groundswell with perfect offshore conditions. The afternoon jumps to 12ft – that’s expert-only territory, and the wind turns cross-shore, which will make it lumpy. Friday morning holds similar size at 10ft, still with a clean offshore wind from the SW at 9 mph, energy at 2346. Friday afternoon drops a touch to 8ft but stays clean offshore. This is the best of the run – a big, clean, lined-up point break for the experienced crew.

After that, it fades. Saturday, September 12th has moderate energy (535) and a cross-shore wind, and Sunday, September 13th falls apart with tiny swell and onshore winds.

So, the standout is hands down Thursday and Friday, September 10th and 11th – big south groundswell with offshore winds. That’s the one to circle on the calendar. Sunday morning, September 6th is also a cracker for a clean, solid session.

Stay safe out there, and don’t be a hero if it’s too big.

Rusty.

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