Aloha Crew! It can be quite a challenge working out when and where to surf to get the best waves. There are plenty of factors to consider, including the tide, wind direction and strength, swell size and swell direction.
Another critical factor, especially on the open beaches, is the shape and depth of the sandbanks and gutters, which affect how the waves break on a particular tide. The tricky part is that the sand is constantly moving around.
Around Caloundra, a general rule of thumb is that Kings Beach and Happy Valley are more protected in a northerly wind, while Moffat Beach, Dicky Beach and Currimundi are often better in a southerly.
If the waves are very small, an open beach like Currimundi will usually pick up more swell than the protected beaches.
I’ll continue this article in the next edition with some information about the apps I use to forecast conditions.
If you’re keen to get into surfing, my advice is to book a lesson with an experienced coach. Talk to Russell at North Caloundra Surf School on
0411 221 730, or John at Caloundra Surf School on 0413 381 010.
Image: Riley Hubbard @caloundra_surf_photography
