While conditions have improved caution at the beach remains critical with quite a bit of erosion and some debris floating about after last weekend’s big surf and king tides.
Residents should keep an eye on weather updates before heading to the beach.
Weather
Well, after last weekend’s wild weather, and with all the cyclone activity being to the south of us since about Monday, we have had a sensational week of weather here in the local region with mostly blue skies, warm temperatures and light winds – and awesome beach conditions to match!
Now as we look ahead to today, we will see the W/SW winds that have been spinning up off TC Alfred for the past day or two, replaced by W/NW to N/NW winds probably this afternoon, and then eventually from the N/NE to E/NE across the weekend.
Showers are forecast across the next few days, although they are expected to be only scattered, and it will continue to be quite warm for at least another day or two yet.
Today’s winds will be from the W this morning before swinging from the W/NW to to N/NW at 15 to 20 knots, although they should be slightly lighter through this morning.
Tomorrow will then bring N/NW to N/NE winds at 10 to 15+ knots, before Sunday brings E/NE winds at only 10 to 15 knots.
Swimming
Swimming conditions have been sensational since Monday this week with mostly calm and gentle conditions, and even some glass-out days as well!
These good swimming conditions will continue through this morning, but once the winds start to swing more from the N/NW (this afternoon) and then from the N/NE to E/NE across the weekend, we will see choppy conditions return, but more so on those beaches that are exposed to these northerly winds.
With this in mind, the best beaches for swimmers through today and then across the weekend will certainly be Kelly’s Beach and Elliott Heads – although all beaches will be sensational through this morning while those winds are offshore.
The best time for swimmers to hit the beach will either be from early to mid- morning, or again from mid to late afternoon.
Just continue to be cautious though whilst at the beach as there is quite a bit of erosion on some beaches, and also still some debris floating about after last weekend’s big surf and king tides.
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:
Today – 9 am to 5 pm at Kelly’s Beach and Agnes Water only.
Saturday – 9 am to 5 pm at Kelly’s Beach, Nielson Park, Oaks Beach and Agnes Water; 1 pm to 5 pm at Elliott Heads and Moore Park Beach.
Sunday – 9 am to 5 pm at Elliott Heads, Kelly’s Beach, Nielson Park, Oaks Beach, Moore Park Beach and Agnes Water.
Surfing
Last weekend delivered some outstanding surf conditions across our local beaches and board-riders certainly made the most of it, but that swell did drop very quickly from Monday onwards, with most of this week having just a few small, clean (and glassy) waves for the long boards.
The forecast for the coming days is not looking fantastic in terms of waves, especially with the wind forecast to turn from the W/NW to N/NE, but if you can find the right stage of the tide at the right beach, there may still be a few small, clean waves about to enjoy.
Perhaps try Kelly’s Beach or Elliott Heads for some cleaner conditions, and to escape the northerly winds. Good Luck.
For the SUP and Ocean Ski paddlers chasing a downwind paddle, there should certainly be enough wind about over the coming afternoons for a few north to south downwind runs, but if you are looking for a more relaxed and gentle paddle at the beach, head down there early this morning, or check out Kelly’s Beach and Elliott Heads through the mornings across the weekend.
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