In this week's beach report Craig Holden says the weekend's weather forecast will not produce good swimming conditions.
Well, after a very warm and humid start to the week, the weather started to change slightly yesterday, but from today, it is certainly going to change even more – and it will not be in a positive way!
Today is forecast to be a very wet one, with rain periods forecast, before we then see strong (very strong) S/SE winds set-in by this afternoon and continue across the entire weekend!
It really is not looking like being a good weekend at all for beachgoers unless you can find a beach that provides protection from the winds (Hervey bay will be one of these, but there will not be too many others).
This morning’s winds will be from the S/SE at around 15 to 20 knots before they increase quickly through the day – up to 20 to 25 knots initially, before reaching 25 to 30 knots late this afternoon.
Tomorrow will be similar with 20 to 25 knots of S/SE to E/SE winds that also increase to 25 to 30 knots during the day.
Sunday also will be windy, with 20 to 25 knots of S/SE to E/SE winds forecast.
The good news I suppose, is that the rain will ease across the weekend, with only scattered showers expected on both days, but more likely tomorrow.
Swimming: The swimming conditions during this past week have generally been pretty good for beach goers, although they have been a little choppy through the afternoons.
Unfortunately though, unless you are swimming at Hervey Bay, the ocean conditions are going to get very choppy and very messy from today onwards – those more open and exposed beaches could even get quite rough!
There will also be a strong side sweep (or current) pushing along all beaches from right to left over the coming days, so swimmers will need to be wary of this.
As mentioned previously, Hervey Bay is going to provide the best and safest swimming conditions over the coming days, but other locations such as Agnes Water, Moore Park Beach and possibly Nielson Park Beach may be ok as well, but the wave conditions at these beaches will make them quite tricky for swimmers – so only swim between the flags!
The very early mornings could be slightly better for swimming, but it will be low tide.
Please check with the lifesavers or lifeguard on duty, read any safety signage or messages, and most importantly please swim only at patrolled beaches, only between the red and yellow flags, and only during patrol times – remember, if we can’t see you, we can’t save you!
Beach patrols: Saturday and Sunday – 9am to 5pm at Elliott Heads, Kelly’s Beach, Nielson Park, Oaks Beach, Moore Park Beach and Agnes Water
Today – 9am to 5pm at Kelly’s Beach, Nielson Park and Agnes Water only
Weekdays (From next week) – 9am to 5pm at Kelly’s Beach and Agnes Water only
Surfing: This past week has not seen a lot of action in terms of quality waves on our local beaches, but there were a few small windows of opportunity there for those that timed it right!
Now, looking ahead to the coming days, it does look like there will be plenty of waves about our local beaches for board-riders, but the wave quality will not be great! The waves will be very messy and choppy, and maybe not that great in terms of wave heights due to the SE swell direction, but if that swell direction does turn more E, it could well be better.
Nielson Park, Mon Repos, Moore Park and Agnes Water will likely be the better options for board-riders, but please be mindful that there will not be a lot of room at Nielson Park Beach due to the Junior SLS Carnival. Good luck!
For the experienced SUP and ocean ski paddlers, there will be plenty of very fast downwind paddling conditions over the coming days (going from south to north) but be careful and please wear a leash!
If not, the protected creeks, rivers and inland waterways will be the only other option if looking for a more relaxed paddle.
Events: Good luck to all local junior surf lifesavers competing this weekend at Nielson Park Beach (Bundaberg SLSC) in the 2022 WBC Branch Junior Surf Life Saving Championships.
Important note: Remember there are updated COVID-19 restrictions, if you are at the beach, please also do your best to abide by them as much as possible.
Last week's beach report: Choppy and messy ocean conditions to continue
