An insane fortnight of swell, sunshine and offshore winds on the Surf Coast.
We have enjoyed an incredible run of waves in Victoria in the last two weeks or so. The run of consistent swell started back on Wednesday April 28 and it hasn't stopped since. The swell really started pulsing through late arvo and was perfect until dark in the 3-6ft range. The next day, Thursday April 29th was big and raw in the 6-8ft plus range at Bells and Winki. The extra size meant that it wasn’t too crowded either. Remarkably, the next day when it dropped back to 4ft, people with injuries the previous day were all of a sudden ok. It hasn’t really dropped under three feet since then, and winds have been favourable most of the time.
Thursday May 6 was pulsing in the 4-5ft range for the late. Then on Friday May 7, it was smoking at Winki, with 4-5ft waves and perfect offshore wind, before it swung onshore around 3pm. There were plenty of barrels down the valley with an 11am low tide.
Saturday May 8 was on again with 6ft waves and 8ft sets on offer at the Reefs. Impossos, Torquay Point, Coulders, Winki and Bells were all as good as they get. Reports came in from the far-east and the far-west of the state, of pumping waves, especially for the evening glass off.
If you’re a mum, and have a son (or daughter) that surfs you would have been extremely lucky to see them on Mother’s day, Sunday May 9 was insane. In the morning the wind was a little north, adding a little lump to some of the spots that are more offshore in a NW. Bells was handling it, however 13th was the spot in the morning on the dropping tide. The wind swung more north west in the arvo producing some more amazing waves. Liew Callahan scored the waves of the day at 13th.
Monday morning May 10 dawned smaller in the 3-4ft range, but by 8.30 it was macking in the 6-8ft range. The wind was a little north in the morning again. 13th was like Pipeline for most of the day with waves in the solid 6ft+ range and even bigger on the Bombie. Bells turned it on around lunchtime when the wind shifted to the NNW, with flawless 15 wave sets in the 6-8ft range. The reefs down the coast had waves in the 15ft plus range and there were plenty of tow teams lining up to score perfect waves. All reports say that Jeff Rowley scored some of the biggest barrels of his life in the 15ft+ range.
There were still fun waves in the 3-5ft range on the Tuesday morning with clean conditions. The wind had gone a little onshore overnight and was due to swing during the day. Forecasts are looking promising for the next week or so too.
Late autumn has rocked in Vicco, and the water still isn't that cold yet, it's still in the 17 degree range, so its quite warm in a 3/2 steamer.
– Carlo Lowdon.
Crew contemplating paddling out into the abyss on their rhino chasers at dawn on Thursday morning April 29.
Photo: Scanlon.
Down south on Monday May 3 again. Check the rubber duckie for scale.
Photo: Ryan.
Different angle of Bells lining up on May 8.
Photo: Ryan.
Unusual angle of The Pop on May 8.
Photo: Stanley.
Absolute perfection. Thirteenth doing a fair Pipe impersonation on Monday morning May 10.
Photo: Scanlon.
Backdoor Pipe Thirteenth style. Darren Wilcox bottom turning on mental Monday morning May 10.
Photo: Scanlon.
Darren Wilcox slotted with his Go Pro cam on at 13th on Monday.
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
Wind, tides, UV ratings, air temps and outlook provided by
