Well… that was a crazy 34 hours, wasn’t it?! On Wednesday afternoon a party atmosphere descended over most SA Coastal regions, and there were waves pretty much everywhere. But Huey mocked us on what should have been day one of a 6 day lockdown, delivering the best day the South Coast has seen in months on Thursday. Across the state, perfect waves went unridden… all day.
As I type the party has resumed, and there are small, clean waves on the Mid Coast. There were people paddling out at Middleton Bay halfway through the press conference today at 11:30, and by 2pm everywhere was chokkers. The weekend will probably be busy again, given everyone now has to go back to work and school on Monday.
Saturday will open to light ENE winds and clean, glassy conditions on the Mid Coast – but fading swell. The full tide early Saturday will limit options too, but there will be 1′ waves and occasional bigger sets on selected reef breaks. The East in the wind will probably leave a few lumps on the South Coast, but it’ll straighten up after lunch as the wind tends more Northerly. Middleton looks in the 2′ range, but it’ll be bigger around at Waits and Parson’s. Just bear in mind that a drive to Middleton might not pass the “essential travel” test while some COVID-19 restrictions remain in place…
On Sunday we’ll be back to a less restricted state and the South Coast will be nice and clean with offshore NNW winds at 10 knots early, picking up to 15 knots mid-morning. The wind will add bumps on the Mid Coast, and it’ll probably only be 1′ or so – building to 2′ later in the day. A Westerly change after lunch will swing the wind onshore on the Mid, and cross-shore at Victor.
The wind will go ’round to the South Sunday night and the working week will open to SSW winds at 15 knots. The Mid Coast will be 1′ and probably a bit bumpy with 1′ waves and occasional bigger sets Monday morning. Surf on the South Coast will be wind affected with Middleton around 2′.
Tuesday morning looks like it’ll kick off with very light WSW winds and 1′ waves and a few light bumps on the Mid Coast. Conditions will be semi-clean between Goolwa and Port Elliot early with surf around 1 – 2′ at Middleton. Conditions will deteriorate as the wind shifts onshore from the South and picks up to 15 knots.
Clean conditions should prevail over the Fleurieu and Yorke Peninsulas all day on Wednesday, with light NNE winds. The Mid Coast will remain in the 1′ range, and there will be clean 2′ waves at Middleton and bigger sets around at Waitpinga and Parson’s.
Northerly winds will pick up on Thursday, adding bumps on the Mid Coast in the morning. Surf should pick up from 1 – 2′ early with a few bigger sets on the incoming tide after lunch. Surf should be clean and around 2′ at Middleton in the morning, but by late arvo it should build to 3 – 4′. Definitely worth keeping a late one up your sleeve.
Winds will be more NW on Friday and probably stronger, with another front due heading into the weekend. For what is typically the worst month for surf in SA, it could be a lot worse. Get out and enjoy it!