In this week’s beach report Craig Holden says board riders will enjoy more fun-sized waves over the weekend, but expect conditions to get choppy in the afternoons as winds strengthen.
Weather
Well, it has been a pretty good week of weather locally with plenty of sunshine and blue skies, light to moderate winds and slightly lower temperatures.
Looking ahead to today and then across the weekend, the forecast will change slightly, with the outlook suggesting an increased chance of showers, along with moderate onshore winds that will strengthen slightly more through the afternoons across the weekend.
The general trend for the coming days in terms of winds will be S/SE to E/SE winds that will be lighter through the early mornings and then stronger through mid to late afternoon.
Today’s winds will be from the S/SE to E/SE at 10 to 15 knots this morning and then increasing to 15+ knots through the afternoon.
Then, for both Saturday and Sunday, we can expect S/SE to E/SE winds at 15 to 20 knots through the morning and then increasing to 20+ knots through that mid to late afternoon period.
Swimming
Swimming conditions have been quite good for the most part this week, with just some slightly choppier conditions developing through the afternoons on those open and exposed beaches.
Looking ahead though, if the forecast stays true and correct, we can expect swimming conditions to deteriorate slightly across the weekend – particularly through the afternoons and particularly on the open and exposed beaches where the onshore winds will have an impact.
Mornings will provide better swimming conditions before choppier conditions start to develop from around mid to late morning onwards and then become choppier and messier through the afternoons.
The best time for a swim over the coming days will certainly be from early to mid-morning while the winds are lighter and the tide is high, whilst the best beaches for swimmers will be those that offer some protection from the S/SE to E/SE winds – so think about Hervey Bay, Agnes Water, Nielson Park and Moore Park Beach.
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
Weekend and weekdays (school holidays) – 9 am to 5 pm at Elliot Heads, Kelly’s Beach, Nielson Park, Oaks Beach, Moore Park Beach and Agnes Water, plus a rove lifeguard in the Bundaberg region.
Surfing
Local board-riders have been enjoying plenty of clean and small, but fun-sized, waves since Wednesday onwards this week, and all indications are that these waves will persist into today and then increase a little more in size across the weekend too!
The early mornings will provide cleaner conditions while the winds are lighter and then the waves will become messier during the day as the winds increase, so keep this in mind when planning your surf.
Best locations will likely be Agnes Water, Nielson Park, Mon Repos and Moore Park Beach. Good Luck.
For the SUP and Ocean Ski paddlers there will be plenty of wind about overt the coming days for some slick south to north downwind runs to enjoy them while they last!
For those chasing a more relaxed and gentler paddle though, hit the beaches through the very early mornings while the winds are lighter and slightly more from the south.
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