In this week's beach report Craig Holden says there will superb swimming conditions and wonderful weather at local beaches.
Well, it has been another week of epic weather across the local beaches, with chilly nights and early mornings, but mild temperatures during the day with plenty of sunshine as well!
Good news too for the coming days as well, with more sunny skies, mild temperatures and light winds forecast!
Today’s winds will be from W/NW to N/NW at only around 5 knots this morning, before they increase slightly to around 10 knots (possibly up to 10 to 15 knots) through this afternoon.
Tomorrow morning will then bring SW winds early at 5 to 10 knots, before the winds gradually increase to around 10 knots and swing more from the E/SE during the late morning, and then from the E/NE late this afternoon.
Sunday’s forecast then has S/SW winds through the morning at around 10 knots before they increase to 10 to 15 knots through the afternoon and swing from the E/SE as well.
Swimming: In keeping with the weather, the swimming conditions have also been superb during this past week, with mostly calm ocean conditions, and clear, clean water to boot!
Looking ahead to the coming days, and generally speaking, the ocean conditions will be quite okay too, although there will be moments where we do see slightly choppy conditions but mainly through the afternoons.
The winds are variable across the next three days, but they are mostly light to moderate only at best, but with this in mind, the better beaches for swimmers will change with the winds.
For today, Elliott Heads and Kelly’s Beach will be the pick of the beaches for swimmers, and probably also again tomorrow afternoon as well.
All beaches will have great swimming conditions tomorrow and Sunday morning, but by Sunday afternoon, beaches such as Hervey Bay, Agnes Water, Nielson Park and Moore Park Beach will be the better options.
The best time for a swim will either be in the very early mornings, or again around that mid-afternoon period.
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: After a couple of days of small, clean, and fun waves last weekend, this past week has been pretty much devoid of any waves at all to entice the board-riders out for some fun.
As we look ahead to the weekend, there is potential for some long-range E/NE ground swell to start reaching the coastline, but it will likely only be small to fun-sized at best.
Check out the usual locations if you are chasing some fun, but for today with the N/NW winds, Elliott Heads and Kelly’s Beach could surprise on the mals. Good Luck!
For the SUP and ocean ski paddlers, this afternoon could be worth a look if you are chasing a fun downwind paddle (north to south), and if not, Sunday afternoon could also provide a similar south to north downwind option. Outside of that, there should be plenty of opportunity for relaxing and gentle ocean paddles through the mornings.
Events: Keep an eye out on local waters today and tomorrow – former Ironwoman Bonnie Hancock is nearing the end of her record-breaking Paddle of AUS, whereby she is paddling a surf ski around Australia!
She is due to finish her epic journey on the Gold Coast on Sunday 28 August, and is expected to be paddling into local waters either today or tomorrow!
Other news:
- Mixed weekend of weather ahead
- Queen remembered at high tea event
- Bargara Esplanade Carpark to be upgraded
