Winkipop Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, this is Rusty. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up at Winkipop. It’s a point break that handles a south swell well, and it’s consistent, so we’ve got a decent run over the next couple of weeks. The water temp is sitting about average for this time of year, so no nasty surprises there.

We start off on Thursday the 23rd with small, ordinary surf – only about 3 ft from the ENE with a weak 9-second period. The combined energy is weak at 129, and a cross-offshore wind is keeping it clean, but it’s not worth getting excited about. That carries through the afternoon with similar 3 ft waves.

Friday the 24th is where it kicks off. The morning brings a solid 7 ft south swell, period stretching to 10 seconds, and the energy jumps right up to 1388 – moderate energy but really punchy. The wind is a sweet offshore from the WSW at 15 km/h, making for clean, lined-up waves. This is the standout of the first week. The swell is over 5 ft, so it’s getting into intermediate territory, but for experienced surfers, this is excellent. The afternoon drops off a bit with a smaller 6 ft swell and a light cross-onshore, so aim for the morning.

Saturday the 25th and Sunday the 26th keep a solid 6 ft to 6 ft south swell going with moderate wave energy (695 and 817), and the wind stays cross-offshore through the mornings – clean and workable. The period sits around 10-11 seconds, giving good shape. The afternoons get a bit messy with lighter cross or cross-on breezes, so dawn is your friend.

Monday the 27th sees the swell drop to about 4 ft from the south, with energy down to 213. It’s clean in the morning with a light cross-off, but the afternoon turns onshore and messy. Not a great day for a session.

From Tuesday the 28th right through to Wednesday the 30th morning, the size drops right off – down to less than 1 ft to 2 ft – with weak energy and poor conditions. There’s a bit of a gap here where it’s not worth paddling out.

Then Thursday the 30th morning hits us with a massive 15 ft south swell, period 12 seconds, and the combined energy is a whopping 9408 – strong to very strong energy. That’s a big, powerful groundswell. The wind is offshore from the SSW at 30 km/h, so it’ll be clean, but this is only for experts. The swell is well over 8 ft, so leave the foam boards at home. It’s a bit of a wild card with the rain showers, but the power is real. The afternoon stays big at 13 ft.

Friday the 31st is still pumping: 12 ft from the south in the morning, 10-second period, and energy at 4202. The wind is gentle offshore, making for excellent conditions for the experienced crew. The afternoon drops a bit to 10 ft but stays clean.

Into August, Saturday the 1st has a 8 ft swell from the SE, period 12 seconds, energy 1492 – still solid, and clean with a light cross-off in the morning. That’s another good morning for advanced surfers. Sunday the 2nd is more manageable at 5 ft from the SE, with a 10-second period and moderate energy, clean in the morning – this is a good option for a broader range of surfers.

Monday the 3rd and Tuesday the 4th drop off again to 3 ft and then 6 ft, but the winds turn messy on Tuesday with an onshore breeze and short period. Not recommended.

Wednesday the 5th brings an 8 ft swell from the SE, period only 8 seconds, so it’s a bit of a short-period wind swell with energy at 861 – marginal but clean in the morning. The afternoon is better with 8 ft and clean wind, but still short period. Thursday the 6th has 7 ft from the SE, again short period, clean in the morning but not the best shape.

Finally, Friday the 7th of August shows a 5 ft swell from the SE, short 7-second period, but the wind is glassy – dead calm, 0 km/h. That will give clean, smooth faces, but the swell period is short, so expect a bit of a bumpy ride. Combined energy is 298, so it’s weak to moderate.

Overall, the standout mornings are Friday the 24th of July for that first clean 7 ft south swell, and Thursday the 30th of July morning for the huge 15 ft groundswell – that’s one for the thrill-seekers. Keep an eye on the long-range stuff; it’s promising but you know how forecasts go. For the rest, it’s a mixed bag, but when it’s on, Winkipop delivers.

Rusty.

Read more