Zero Surf Forecast and Surf Report

Alright folks, Rusty here. Let’s have a look at what’s coming up for our local zone over the next couple of weeks. I’ll be straight with you – it’s a slow start and we’ve got to be patient, but there’s a bit of a pulse building later on.

Right now, we’re looking at a long dry spell. The first record we’ve got is for a spot that’s basically a non-starter: it’s a point break that only rarely breaks, and when it does, it’s tiny. From Wednesday 15 July right through to late in the month, the surf is poor. The combined swell energy is weak, sitting between 122 and 164 (hundreds) for the first week – that’s barely a ripple. The swell is coming from the SW, but it’s only 1 ft to 2 ft, and the period is long, 14 to 19 seconds, which is a groundswell, but there’s just not enough height to do anything. Winds are mostly onshore or cross-onshore, so it’s choppy and messy. There’s a gap of about 10 days with no real surf on offer.

The first sign of life appears on Saturday 25 July. The swell bumps up to 4 ft to 5 ft from the S with a 14-second period, and the combined energy jumps to 1273 (strong wave energy). That’s a proper increase. The wind on Saturday afternoon shifts to a cross-offshore WNW breeze at 12 mph, which will keep the surface clean. This is the standout of the whole outlook. The water temp is about average for the time of year, so no complaints there.

Sunday 26 July holds a bit more size, with 5 ft to 6 ft from the SSW, but that’s getting up there – over 5 ft, so beginners might find it a handful. The wind is light cross-onshore in the morning but cleans up to a cross-offshore WNW breeze in the afternoon. The combined energy is strong at 1484. This is a day for the experienced crew.

Monday 27 July keeps the swell going at 3 ft to 4 ft from the SSW, with a long 18-second period. That long period means the waves will have real shape and power, but at a beach break, it can break a bit too straight. A point or reef would be the go. The wind is light cross-onshore in the morning, but the afternoon has a clean cross-offshore breeze at 12 mph.

After that, Tuesday 28 July afternoon is another clean window with 4 ft from the SW and a cross-offshore WNW wind. The combined energy is moderate at 696. The surf is expected to be very good.

The rest of the week into 30 July drops back to smaller, marginal surf with 3 ft to 3 ft, but still some clean afternoon windows.

So, if you’re holding out for the best, circle Saturday 25 July and Sunday 26 July. The S/SSW swell with the clean offshore winds is the pick of the bunch. It’s a long wait, but it’s worth it.

Rusty.

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