Well, it has been another warm and mostly sunny week just passed with some reasonable beach conditions about to enjoy as well.
Now, as we look ahead to today and then across the weekend, we can expect more warm and sunny conditions, along with moderate northerly winds as well, so heading to beaches that provide protection from these winds will be the best option.
The winds will be from the N/NW this morning at around 10 knots before turning more from the N during the afternoon and increase to 15+ knots. Saturday will then bring N/NE winds at around 10 knots through the morning, before they then also increase to around 15 knots during the afternoon.
Sunday will hopefully then bring slightly lighter winds through the morning, with the forecast suggesting 5 to 10 knots of N/NE winds, but again increasing to around 15 knots through the afternoon.
Swimming: Swimming conditions have been okay during this past, but also a little mixed due to the varying wind direction and wind strength.
As we look ahead to today and then across the weekend, the mornings will provide the best swimming conditions over the coming days while the winds are lighter and the tide higher, but the best swimming conditions will certainly be found on those beaches that provide protection from the northerly winds – as these are forecast to be with us for at least the next three to four days.
With this in mind, the best locations for swimmers will certainly be Elliott Heads and Kelly’s Beach, but the early mornings should be okay at other beaches provided that the wind doesn’t start to gust too early.
Those beaches that face more in a northerly direction will certainly be a lot choppier through the afternoons, and they will also have a side sweep running from left to right as well.
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: Today – 9 am to 5 pm at Kelly’s Beach and Agnes Water only
Saturday – 9 am to 5pm at Kelly’s Beach, Nielson Park, Oaks Beach & 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: There has once again been plenty of small, but fun-sized waves about local beaches during this past week, with the early mornings providing the cleanest conditions.
Looking ahead to today and then for the weekend, we are unfortunately going to see northerly winds for at least the next three to four days, which are usually not conducive to great surfing conditions.
However, beaches such as Kelly’s Beach and Elliott Heads will still be worth a sneaky look through the mornings.
Other beaches will also be worth checking out through the very early mornings before the wind starts to chop-up the ocean. Good luck.
For the SUP and ocean ski paddlers, the afternoons from today and through until Sunday or Monday, will provide plenty of wind for a slick north to south downwind paddle for those keen to have some downwind fun, but for those looking for a more relaxed and gentle paddle, you will need to hit the beaches very early in the morning, or else head to the sheltered inland waterways.
Events: The iconic Coolangatta Gold is being conducted this weekend on the Gold Coast with the short-course event being held tomorrow and the traditional long-course event being held on Sunday.
Good luck to a couple of locals that are teaming up in a Masters’ team for Sunday’s long-course evet!
