In this week's beach report Craig Holden says there will be improved swimming conditions throughout the region but it will be muggy with a chance of showers.
Well, it has been yet another week of mixed weather conditions, with moderate onshore winds and rough seas across last weekend and for the start of this week.
But since Wednesday we have been greeted with milder ocean conditions, lighter winds and warm, muggy, summer days.
Looking ahead to today and then across the weekend, the forecast suggests we are set for more warm and humid temperatures, with moderate northerly winds, and the increased chance of a shower or two on both Saturday and Sunday.
This morning’s winds will be light at around 10 knots from the N/NW before they increase to 10 to 15 knots during the morning and then to 15 to 20 knots through this afternoon.
Tomorrow will bring N/NW winds through the morning at 10 to 15 knots before they also increase to 15+ knots through the afternoon, whilst Sunday should be slightly better with 5 to 10 knots of N/NW winds through the morning that will then increase to 10 to 15 knots.
Swimming
Just like the weather, the swimming conditions have improved dramatically from Wednesday onwards, with rough and messy conditions giving way to more mild conditions with a few small, clean, fun waves about to enjoy a bit of body surfing.
Looking ahead to the weekend and we are going to have northerly winds for at least the next three days, with the general trend being that they will be lightest through the early mornings and strongest through the afternoons.
Therefore, the best swimming conditions will be found through the mornings (any time from early morning to around midday) and at beaches that provide some protection from the northerly winds – Elliott Heads and Kelly’s Beach being the best for swimmers this weekend!
Please check with the surf 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
Weekdays: 9 am to 5 pm at Elliott Heads, Kelly’s Beach, Nielson Park, Oaks Beach, Moore Park Beach and Agnes Water, plus a Rove Lifeguard across the Bundaberg Region.
Saturday and Sunday: 9 am to 5 pm at Elliott Heads, Kelly’s Beach, Nielson Park, Oaks Beach, Moore Park Beach and Agnes Water, plus a Rove Lifeguard across the Bundaberg Region.
* Note: These are minimum patrol times – some locations may have longer hours of patrol time.
Surfing
There was plenty of swell about our local beaches up until about Tuesday this week, although it was very messy and sloppy thanks to the predominantly easterly winds.
But, like all good things, they must come to an end as the wave heights dropped quickly from Wednesday – although at least the waves were clean and fun on Wednesday morning.
With the onset of the northerly winds, and the long period cyclone swell all gone, we are set to return to small and mostly choppy conditions over the next few days – but the early mornings will still be worth a look for the odd clean, fun wave before the northerly winds mess it up too much.
Maybe Kelly’s Beach could be the better option.
For the SUP and Ocean Ski paddlers, there should be plenty of north to south downwind fun on Friday and Saturday afternoon, but for a more relaxed and gentle paddle, I would suggest hitting Kelly’s Beach or Elliott Heads through the early mornings.
Events
The Elliott Heads SLSC will host its annual Xmas Raffles and Ham Wheel on Sunday from 3 pm at the Clubhouse at Elliott Heads.
