LifestyleHit the beaches early for best conditions this week

Hit the beaches early for best conditions this week

beach conditions
Craig Holden says mornings will have plenty of nice conditions for swimmers and beachgoers in the Bundaberg Region.

Well, after a very, very windy weekend last weekend, the wind settled down through the week, and we have had seen some quite nice beach conditions for the most part this week.

However, as we look ahead to the weekend, it again looks like being another windy weekend for beach-goers – thankfully though, not as windy as last weekend!

The early mornings will see the winds at their lightest over the coming days, so take the tip and hit the beaches early if you want to grab the best conditions!

This morning’s winds will be from the south at around 10 to 15 knots, before they swing from to the S/SE at 15 to 20 knots later this morning and then eventually increase to 20 to 25 knots from the E/SE by mid to late afternoon.

Tomorrow will be quite similar, with around 15 knots of southerly winds early that will then increase to 15 to 20 knots from the S/SE to E/SE, and then gust to 20+ knots through the late afternoon.

Sunday then brings us E/SE winds at 15 to 20 knots that will also gust to 20+ knots through the afternoon.

Sunshine will be plentiful today, before we start to see partly overcast skies over the weekend and just the slight chance of a shower by Sunday.

Swimming: The swimming conditions during this past week have not been too bad for the most part, with the mornings in particular seeing plenty of nice conditions for swimmers and beachgoers!

Looking ahead to the coming days, and the early mornings will certainly provide the best swimming and beach conditions for beachgoers – this is when the winds will be at their lightest, and also when the tide will be high – so take my advice and get yourself out of bed early to grab the best conditions!

From around mid to late morning, we will see the winds increase and turn more onshore, bringing with them choppy and slightly messy ocean conditions, along with a side sweep pushing from right to left along most beaches (but stronger on the open and exposed beaches).

The better beaches for swimmers will once again be those that provide some protection from the prevailing winds, so Hervey Bay, Agnes Water, Moore Park Beach and Nielson Park Beach.

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

Weekdays – 9am to 5pm at Kelly’s Beach and Agnes Water only

Surfing: This past week has seen a few small, clean waves about, but nothing that has really seen the local board-riders get too excited.

As we look ahead to the coming days, we should see a slight increase in wave heights as the onshore winds start to increase through this afternoon.

The early mornings will likely be the best time to hit the waves, while the winds are lighter and the waves cleaner, but also consider checking out conditions from mid-afternoon onwards as well. 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 another SLS Carnival. Good Luck!

For the experienced SUP and ocean ski paddlers, once again, there should be plenty of quick downwind paddling conditions over the coming days (going from south to north).

If not, the protected creeks, rivers and inland waterways will probably be the best other option if looking for a more relaxed paddle, unless you can hit the beach super early in the mornings while the winds are lighter!

Events: The Bundaberg SLSC will host the 2022 Queensland State Surf Rescue Championships this weekend at Nielson Park Beach, Bargara – good luck to all competitors, but in particular to our local surf lifesavers that will be competing!

Good luck also to the local surf lifesavers that will be racing at the Summer of Surf Shannon Eckstein Classic at Northcliffe (Gold Coast) today and tomorrow!

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.

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