Plenty of action Sunday but with limited options

Craig Brokensha picture
Craig Brokensha (Craig)

Victoria Forecast by Craig Brokensha (issued Friday 5th May)

Best Days: Surf Coast Saturday, Torquay early Sunday, both coasts Wednesday morning

Recap

Excellent conditions on the Surf Coast all day with easing sets from 3ft. The Mornington Peninsula was also good with fun 3-5ft waves, smaller later.

This morning we're back to the small stuff with clean fading 2ft sets on the Surf Coast and 3ft waves on the Mornington Peninsula.

This weekend and next week (May 6 - 12)

Moving into tomorrow, a strengthening N/NW wind will create clean conditions on the Surf Coast and small 2ft waves, while the Mornington Peninsula should see OK conditions at dawn and 3ft+ of swell.

Winds will swing more NW late morning and W/NW into the afternoon ahead of a late strong W/SW change.

This change will be related to the remnants of a vigorous polar frontal progression moving in from the southern Indian Ocean under the country.

A moderate to large W/SW groundswell has been generated, with it expected to arrive Sunday morning, building strongly to 4-6ft at exposed breaks on the Surf Coast and the 8ft range on the Mornington Peninsula.

Early morning we're probably looking 3-5ft waves on the Surf Coast and a brief period of W'ly winds around Torquay should create OK conditions before swinging SW. Other locations will be poor with a gusty SW breeze.

Also in the mix will be some average quality mid-period swell from the front moving through later Saturday.

Moving into Monday, both swells should ease off and conditions look average with a gusty S'ly winds. There is a very very slim chance for an early W'ly around Torquay again but the surf will still be quite raw and unorganised.

Into Tuesday, lingering S/SE winds will continue to create poor conditions with easing 3ft sets on the Surf Coast and 4-5ft waves on the Mornington Peninsula.

An approaching front Wednesday will steer winds back to the north and locally offshore but the swell will be small and fading.

As touched on last update, into Thursday a very inconsistent but strong W/SW groundswell is due to fill in across the state.

This swell has started to be generated today, by a very strong and expansive polar frontal progression firing up west of Heard Island.

A fetch of severe-gale to storm-force W/SW tending SW winds will be projected through our far western swell window, with the system weakening south-west of WA early next week, leaving the swell to travel out towards us.

The long-period fore-runners are expected to arrive 24 hours before the peak of the swell (Wednesday afternoon) with the groundswell building slowly through Thursday.

The Surf Coast should build to a very inconsistent 3-4ft with 5-6ft+ sets on the Mornington Peninsula Thursday afternoon. The waits between sets will be in the order of 10-12 minutes.

Winds are still a little up in the air with a surface trough due to bring a S'ly change at some stage but we may see a morning NW'ly ahead of this. More on this Monday. Have a great weekend!

Comments

gannet's picture
gannet's picture
gannet Friday, 5 May 2017 at 12:46pm

Winds are up in the air?

Aw Craig, you crack me up!

Craig's picture
Craig's picture
Craig Friday, 5 May 2017 at 12:50pm

Unintentional as well :o haha

Gary G's picture
Gary G's picture
Gary G Friday, 5 May 2017 at 1:59pm

Hey guys, with the weather getting colder we're all looking for a bit of extra protection around our exposed areas, hey? Hoping to hear what people are into so Gary can branch out a bit: Gary has used the same brand for years as every time he tries to try on a new type in a surf shop, it seems to raise a few eyebrows.

These are Gary's brand of choice: https://www.ripcurl.com.au/mens/wetsuits/accessories/rubber-soul-plus-3m...

Gary likes them for for the snug fit, resistance to leakage, and superior durability & washability when compared to other multi-use prophylactics.

What's your favourite?

thatguy's picture
thatguy's picture
thatguy Friday, 5 May 2017 at 2:39pm

FCS storm troopers. Not sure if they still make them but there's stock around.

Gary G's picture
Gary G's picture
Gary G Friday, 5 May 2017 at 2:45pm

Any issues with Chafing @Thatguy?

thatguy's picture
thatguy's picture
thatguy Friday, 5 May 2017 at 3:24pm

Nah, very comfy. Like having waterproof ugg boots.

Gary G's picture
Gary G's picture
Gary G Friday, 5 May 2017 at 3:45pm

What about for your partner or partners?
Gary wants anyone who buys a ticket to the G show to have a rollicking good time: chafing can be a real issue with some of these brands: it's almost like they were designed for a totally different purpose entirely?!

zenagain's picture
zenagain's picture
zenagain Friday, 5 May 2017 at 4:28pm

+1 on the FCS, have a pair and probably best booties I've bought.

Currently, Patagonia R3's, super comfy and warm but can't comment on durability.

Mate has a pair of O'Neill Heat booties that he speaks very highly of.

No chafing issues with any of them, even when using them for surfing:)