Craig Holden says local beaches are the place to be as the weather has been fantastic with sensational swimming.
Well, what an amazing long weekend of weather we experienced across the local region last weekend, and the great weather has continued throughout this past week as well with slightly cooler minimum temperatures through the early mornings that have then turned into mild, sunny days.
Looking ahead to today and then across the weekend, it does appear that the mostly sunny skies will continue, along with mild temperatures, but the forecast suggests that we should see moderate (not strong) winds through the afternoons today and tomorrow before they ease back on Sunday.
Generally though, the early mornings should continue to bring lighter winds.
This morning will bring S/SE winds at around 10 knots but they will soon swing more from the E/SE and then increase to around 15 knots by late morning onwards.
Tomorrow will be very similar too, with S/SE winds at 10 to 15 knots through the morning that will then increase to around 15+ knots from the E/SE through the afternoon.
But then on Sunday the winds will ease back to be only around 10 knots from the S/SE to E/SE.
Swimming: The swimming conditions have been just like the weather this past week – absolutely sensational!
Mild and gentle ocean conditions have been the norm, but whether they remain this way for today and across the weekend is the big question.
The general trend moving forward will be milder ocean conditions through the mornings while the winds are lighter, and then choppy conditions through the afternoons as the winds increase – particularly on the open and exposed beaches, and particularly through today and tomorrow.
Sunday, however, is likely to provide milder ocean conditions across all beaches.
Remember though, with high tides and lighter winds through the mornings, the best time to have a swim will be up until mid to late morning. Whilst the ocean conditions will not be terrible this weekend, those beaches that provide some protection from the S/SE to E/SE winds will be slightly better, so therefore, beaches such as Hervey Bay, Agnes Water, Nielson Park and Moore Park Beach will likely offer the better swimming conditions.
Please check with the 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: Today and weekdays – Nil
Saturday and Sunday – 9 am to 5 pm at Kelly’s Beach and Agnes Water only
Surfing: Not to be outdone, and despite the great swimming conditions, there has also been no shortage of great waves across the local region over this past weekend and up until Tuesday this week.
It has been a great run of waves, but it did come to an end quite abruptly.
Looking ahead to today and then into the weekend, we are not likely to see anything special in terms of wave heights, but there could just be a small increase in swell through tomorrow, but it could likely be a little messy and sloppy wave about depending on the wind strength.
Agnes Water, Nielson Park, Mon Repos and Moore Park could all be worth a look at least, and probably up until about midday.
Fingers crossed but for another run of swell next week.
For the SUP and Ocean Ski paddlers looking for a downwind paddle, you might just find enough wind to punch out a south to north run through this afternoon and again tomorrow afternoon.
For those that just want a more relaxing ocean paddle though, you may have to wait until Sunday morning.
Events: Nil
- Last week's beach report: Strong winds a board riders delight
