COASTALWATCH PLUS    |   MOUNTAINWATCH    |   TRANSFER    |   TRANSMOTO    |   SURFING WORLD    |   COASTALCOMS
COASTALWATCH Bringing the surf to you
West Oz Summer Wrap


Report by Dan Wyer

It's been a memorable Summer of waves in southwest Western Australia, with plenty of unseasonal swells and clean offshore days through the season.

December was wetter than average in the southwest thanks to an active La Nina pattern while January and February were very hot and dry. Stand-out days in December included a clean four foot plus pulse on the 10th that saw pumping waves at exposed reefs and beachies.

Gallery from summer archives:



SLIDESHOW
Previous Image IMAGE 1 OF 23 Next Image
Solid, unseasonal swell turned on some great waves in WA this week.
DSCF072220120125025441PM.JPG
Solid, unseasonal swell turned on some great waves in WA this week.
Photo: Dan Wyer
A protected point looking the goods.
DSCF073120120125025441PM.JPG
A protected point looking the goods.
Photo: Dan Wyer
Even spots that normally require large winter swells were breaking.
DSCF074520120125025441PM.JPG
Even spots that normally require large winter swells were breaking.
Photo: Dan Wyer
Big, blue peaks and strong offshores - standard fare in the South West.
DSCF075720120125025441PM.JPG
Big, blue peaks and strong offshores - standard fare in the South West.
Photo: Dan Wyer
Big, blue peaks and strong offshores - standard fare in the South West.
DSCF075820120125025442PM.JPG
Big, blue peaks and strong offshores - standard fare in the South West.
Photo: Dan Wyer
Surfers in Western Australia enjoyed a good run of clean waves last week.
lotd_jan_26_Wyer20120130022954PM.JPG
Surfers in Western Australia enjoyed a good run of clean waves last week.
Photo: Dan Wyer
After a week milling off the North West coast Cycone Iggy delivered a solid northwesterly swell across South West Western Australia on Thursday.
DSCF086620120203100004AM.JPG
After a week milling off the North West coast Cycone Iggy delivered a solid northwesterly swell across South West Western Australia on Thursday.
Photo: Dan Wyer
After a week milling off the North West coast Cycone Iggy delivered a solid northwesterly swell across South West Western Australia on Thursday.
DSCF085320120203100003AM.JPG
After a week milling off the North West coast Cycone Iggy delivered a solid northwesterly swell across South West Western Australia on Thursday.
Photo: Dan Wyer
After a week milling off the North West coast Cycone Iggy delivered a solid northwesterly swell across South West Western Australia on Thursday.
DSCF082120120203100003AM.JPG
After a week milling off the North West coast Cycone Iggy delivered a solid northwesterly swell across South West Western Australia on Thursday.
Photo: Dan Wyer
After a week milling off the North West coast Cycone Iggy delivered a solid northwesterly swell across South West Western Australia on Thursday.
DSCF082720120203100003AM.JPG
After a week milling off the North West coast Cycone Iggy delivered a solid northwesterly swell across South West Western Australia on Thursday.
Photo: Dan Wyer
After a week milling off the North West coast Cycone Iggy delivered a solid northwesterly swell across South West Western Australia on Thursday.
DSCF083720120203100003AM.JPG
After a week milling off the North West coast Cycone Iggy delivered a solid northwesterly swell across South West Western Australia on Thursday.
Photo: Dan Wyer
After a week milling off the North West coast Cycone Iggy delivered a solid northwesterly swell across South West Western Australia on Thursday.
DSCF080520120203100002AM.JPG
After a week milling off the North West coast Cycone Iggy delivered a solid northwesterly swell across South West Western Australia on Thursday.
Photo: Dan Wyer
After a week milling off the North West coast Cycone Iggy delivered a solid northwesterly swell across South West Western Australia on Thursday. Luke Campbell, getting amongst it.
_MG_073520120203101704AM.jpg
After a week milling off the North West coast Cycone Iggy delivered a solid northwesterly swell across South West Western Australia on Thursday. Luke Campbell, getting amongst it.
Photo: Jamie Scott
Wierd angles as the NW swell hits Yallingup main thanks to T.C Iggy.
TCIggy20120302094022AM.jpg
Wierd angles as the NW swell hits Yallingup main thanks to T.C Iggy.
Photo: Dan Wyer
Afternoon glass off late January 2012.
LateJan20120302094021AM.jpg
Afternoon glass off late January 2012.
Photo: Dan Wyer
Australia day had some fun waves on offer in the southwest.
Jan220120302094021AM.jpg
Australia day had some fun waves on offer in the southwest.
Photo: Dan Wyer
Clean 3-4ft swell and offshore winds.
Jan20120302094021AM.jpg
Clean 3-4ft swell and offshore winds.
Photo: Dan Wyer
Just one of many pumping line-ups when T.C Iggy came to play.
Iggy20120302094021AM.jpg
Just one of many pumping line-ups when T.C Iggy came to play.
Photo: Dan Wyer
Unknown swoops off the bottom on a larger set.
13220120302094021AM.jpg
Unknown swoops off the bottom on a larger set.
Photo: Ben Parker
The last day of Summer 2012 delivered some clean fun waves.
2920120302094021AM.jpg
The last day of Summer 2012 delivered some clean fun waves.
Photo: Dan Wyer
A solid SW swell on Sunday 26th Feb saw some fun waves at protected breaks.
2620120302094021AM.jpg
A solid SW swell on Sunday 26th Feb saw some fun waves at protected breaks.
Photo: Dan Wyer
2320120302094021AM.jpg
Photo: Dan Wyer
Unknown charging a large chunky Margies bomb.
1320120302094020AM.jpg
Unknown charging a large chunky Margies bomb.
Photo: Ben Parker




The biggest swell of the season came shortly after on the 12th, when a large SSW swell arrived through the day. Wave heights went from three-to-four foot early to a solid ten-to-twelve foot plus by dusk. There were some inconsistent gems on offer at North Point in the afternoon, while further south a select crew of local chargers took on solid Marg’s Main Break. Later in the month, the 20th delivered clean four-to-six foot waves at open-ocean exposed breaks. 

January 2012 easily saw the best of it providing a memorable run of quality surf through the month. To be honest it all became a bit of a blur with too many good days to pin point the stand out ones. Late January stood out with some rare all-day offshores around the Australia day long weekend. Swells were consistent in the mid range and it was hot and sunny for much of the month.

Perth sweltered this Summer with heat wave conditions and periods of humid thunderstorm activity. Surf wise it was pretty bad (as Summer usually goes in these parts). Trigg Point had some good sand and was the saviour, sucking in any available swell and ensuring some fun days. Crowds were worse than ever with over 50+ surfers hitting the small line up on the good days.

February was average in comparison with plenty of OK days. It was back to typical Summer WA conditions: SE winds and small-to-medium sized swells. The stand out day of the month came in the form of a rare NW swell thanks to ex Tropical Cyclone Iggy. The swell built from a peaky two-to-three foot to a solid four-to-six foot plus later in the day. The Yallingup region cranked with some epic - although very busy line-ups - through the day. 

All up, it's been a good start to 2012. Lets hope it continues.

- Dan Wyer




Add comments here...





   
Share





Related Articles

Video: Chris Robertson - June 9, 2013
Wave of the Week: This day was mental and only 3 of my mates were out... More
Sign Up to HIF and Help Surfing WA
Surfing WA's long time corporate sponsor HIF is helping them purchase two brand new SWA jet skis that will keep surfers safe at their events and surf school programs. More
Video: Asher Pacey, Snapper Rocks - June 6, 2013
Wave of The Week: Twin Fin Soul at The Beginning of Winter. More
WEEKEND SURF FORECAST, 7- 9 June 2013
Australia is a land of extremes.. whether its our climate, geography, or in this case, the surf. Check the weekend forecast. Image: Randy Sparrow. More
WEEKEND SURF FORECAST, 31 May - 2 June 2013
A low key start to winter looms around the continent this weekend. Image: Liquid Visions Photography. More
ASP Announces Acquisition of Big Wave World Tour
An arrangement that will take the big wave world tour to the next level, and also allow Parko, Kelly etc to compete in 25 foot plus waves. More

CW © Copyright Coastalwatch 2009. All rights reserved
Surfing magazines     |     Surfing Books     |     Surf Shop    |     Privacy    |     Disclaimer    |     Contact Us    |     Advertise     |     About 		Wind, tides, UV ratings, air temps and outlook provided by
Coastalwatch are based on data and radar images
provided by the Bureau of Meteorology. www.bom.gov.au
coastalwatch coastalcoms mountainwatch transfer transmoto surfing world