Woolgoolga Surf Forecast and Surf Report

G’day, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s on the cards for the next couple of weeks. It’s a bit of a mixed bag, so let’s break it down.

First up, we’ve got a bit of a wait on our hands. The surf is pretty lackluster for the first stretch. We’re looking at a period from the 18th through the 24th where it’s mostly small and junky. A lot of poor conditions, with onshore breezes and weak energy. You’ll see waves, but they won’t be worth your time unless you’re desperate for a paddle. The energy readings are low, mostly between 42 and 376, just not enough push. It’s a slow start, so patience is key.

Now, the first real bright spot jumps out on Wednesday the 19th. The morning at Woolgoolga is looking glassy. We’ve got a light SSW breeze that’s keeping it clean, with a chest-high 4ft of ESE swell. The energy is a moderate 329. It’s not huge, but with the glassy conditions, it’s going to be fun. The afternoon builds on that, with the swell picking up to 5ft and the period stretching out to a nice 10 seconds. That’s a proper groundswell pulse. The energy jumps to 426, and it’s still glassy. This is the standout of the first week. It’s an advanced spot, so it’ll be a bit of a paddle, but the clean lines will be worth it.

After that little window on Wednesday, it’s mostly downhill again. Thursday morning the 20th is still glassy but the swell drops off and the energy is weak. Then the wind comes up and messes things up for the rest of the week. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are all small and mostly blown out. There’s a slight reprieve on Sunday morning with a cross-off breeze, but the swell is tiny. It’s a waiting game.

The following week, things start to get more interesting, but the conditions aren’t quite there. From the 24th to the 27th, we’ve got some small, clean windows but the waves are just too small. The energy builds a bit on the 25th but it’s accompanied by strong winds, making it messy. The long-period swell starts showing up around the 26th, but it’s still too small and the wind isn't right.

Now, for the long-range look. The end of the month is where the real potential lies. Monday the 31st of August is the next big one to circle. We’ve got a solid groundswell filling in, with a period of 14 seconds. The swell height is 4ft, but the energy is a strong 646. The wind is a stiff cross-off, which will keep it clean. It’s a bit of a building swell, and that long period means it’s going to have some serious power. Given it’s that far out, treat it as promising but not set in stone.

That period of very long swell (over 15 seconds) shows up on the 31st as a 14-second pulse, which is getting up there. It’s more of a point break wave, and given Woolgoolga is a beach and reef set-up, it might be a bit more tricky. Still, it’s the best on offer for the second week, and the only other real option.

So, to sum it up: the start is a write-off for the next four or five days. Get your fix on the 19th, which is the standout. The rest of the first week is a waste. The end of the month, specifically the 31st, has the most potential, but it’s a long way off. Keep an eye on it. The water temp is about average for this time of year, so no surprises there.

Rusty out.

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