Though scientists bid farewell to La Niña back in early March, the swell cycles didn't respond immediately. They never do, weather doesn't work that way. Rather than a switch being flicked from one state to another, there's a long slow transition period where the atmosphere, and in this case the ocean too, slowly alters its makeup. When enough parameters have been surpassed, scientists will deem that the new 'state'.
The exit out of La Niña couldn't come soon enough for Victorian surfers who've endured three years of a largely sedentary ocean. Since then, lone swells have done enough to move some sand around, blow away any cobwebs, and given cause for surfers to strike up a conversation with a shaper, however it took a while for the swells to properly stack up like they should through autumn into winter.
The beginning of May was as good a marker as any for when multiple swells began to feature in forecast outlooks. The southerly energy is rising and it's becoming persistent. Better yet, there's been a fair whack of offshore days during the swells.
On the weekend, one of the stronger storms of the season did its heavy lifting west of Tasmania, producing a mix of large swells which peaked on Monday with strong 6-8ft waves on the Surf Coast, bigger east of Melbourne and west of Otway. Offshore winds then kept grooming conditions till Tuesday presented long-range, ruler-edge waves around 4-5ft on the Surf Coast - again, bigger elsewhere.
Photographer Steve Arklay, shot Bells and Winki as said lines cornered their way around the reefs. The stretched, long-period lines contrasting against the content coming from the NSW/QLD border region with its jumpy, insistent energy.
Better yet, with La Niña retreating ever further into the rearview mirror, the run isn't done. Another very significant storm is due to develop over the coming days, generating an oversized swell for later in the weekend.
More on this in the Forecaster Notes.
All photos by Steve Arklay.
Comments
At long bloody last we can show our chilly but smug smiles to our northern and eastern brethren!!!
They will be packing the planes as we speak to get down here. You can still get away a 3/2 but I doubt they know what one is.
If your managing a 3/2 bone you must have a pretty good layer of beer blubber.
Beer blubber and in the bloodstream. Just enough to take the edge off.
Don't bother with Victoria, there have been several big white sightings from Lorne to 13th beach in recent years, the water is already 14 degrees (and feels colder) there's a sewerage outlet a couple of beaches north of Torquay that should be avoided, the tidal movement is significant and tricky to understand and the locals might just let your tyres down if you have NSW or Qld number plates or an obvious hire car. Sorry to share this terrible news
Lol, I grew up in Torquay from 67 to the early 80’s. There’s a great local crew of chargers but more often than not now it’s fat mal riding kooks at Possos who’ve been there a year thinking they rule. None of your comment rings true
In regards to that spot I'd add...this used to be a lonely spot to surf especially mid week but now whenever there's a swell on the car park is completely and totally full half way back down the dirt access road. It's a great spot if you like to share every one of your precious your waves with several other entitled longboarders.
Yes mate. I remember the old road straight from the Fishos caravan park past the tip. Now it’s an AV Jennings wonderland full of Melbourne accountants
Lets face it, the new estates at Torquay are practically meters away.
Now the new residents who've moved there in the last few years are becoming more competent in waves....hence they head to possos.
Yeah, used to surf there in the 1500s with the local crew but the Macassans would show up every time there was a decent swell and shoulder hop every wave on thier trader sailers. Bloody pencil neck business types stinkin-up the place.
Haha this is gold
yea agree good shit haha
The last few years of trash swells have been the icing on the shit filled cake that was covid. Man we copped it bad here in vic. I hope everyones feeling fit, cause this weekend will test your skills.
With you on that... Caged animals during lockdown, and then, when released, no waves for months on end.
Good week tho... finally!
Geez, it looks good. And somewhat familiar.
might have to jump a plane and FIFO.
.....
kidding.
you should freeride....have a surfcoast session the whole coast will be lit up. then hit the tub before or after and experience all that vicco has to offer. even just driving down great ocean road when swell is comming in looks and feels like heaven.:)
...and with hatted-restaurants, charming cafes and five-star wineries set among temperate forests, the Great Ocean Road is a foodie’s dream. Head off from Melbourne's Bellarine region, and drive to the Otways via the Surf Coast, taking in ocean views along this world-renowned coastline for the ultimate couples’ getaway.
#bonsoyboi
Steve's Hummer won't make it around the Devil's Elbow.
No, like Nate he'll be in a MG SUV hire car, the type of vehicle required to get you down all those crazy surf coast access tracks.
You’d be welcome
How’s the crowds been? Those photos make it look mellow
Everyone is spread out along the golden mile, from Bells to Juc. All reefs handle different tides. Winds stay offy all day. No photographs to crowd line ups (aka snapper). Most guys are chilled, both literally and figuratively speaking.
Can’t tell if you’re being sarcastic but I don’t think you are. Sounds like heaven. Have surfed the stretch several times over the years and found it to be pretty hectic human wise at the main spots at least
Growing up in Sydney and then living down here for many years - the vibe in the water still blows me away to be honest. Every crowd has its outliers - but even at packed weekend Bells, strangers chat, there's laughs, Ive called guys into waves in front of me (mind you - yelling "go go go" is often mistaken for telling them to get off!), drop ins are usually apologised for.
Its not fairyland but pretty damn good if you surf respectfully.
Good to hear
agree. surf cooly in Feb and that will be my last time
Usually when its 6ft keeps most average joes out (and a hell of a paddle at winki if you don't jump off the button)
Enjoy Vicco crew! So many options when it's on away from the two obvious choices above
Just don’t surf near me and you’ll be ok
Ok Begbie
Ok Begbie
bahhahahahahahhahahaha yeah beggsy - i've still got your gummies at my house too ;-)
Monday was the best "3ft" surf I've had for a long time.
That was the forecast.
Monday wasn't forecast to be 3ft, by the models or the notes. Models had 6ft and I had 6-8ft.
The forecast always cracks me up. You soon learn that the "3-4" foot is usually double overhead. When the report comes in at "6+" - then you reach for a bigger board!
When I go back to Sydney and they say "3-4 foot" I am always bummed when you turn up and its head high.
Huh Rusty?
Heard lots of health enthusiasts installing ice baths in Byron Bay we have the real deal down here.
Haha, yep. But surfers here still have yoga girlfriends, so there's plenny of ice baths (and deep breathing, sound baths and farkn' sacred cocoa ceremonies) - don't pretend we're THAT different.. the ice baths are just funnier down here : )
We need to be realistic here, especially for our northern friends. The surf may have been pumping but it is still bloody crowded on the main breaks. Everything is pretty orderly: none of that Queensland super bank shit: but I wouldn't fly down expecting no crowd perfection!
Yep your right. They have the Bells Bowl and Rincon blocked off for the indigenous Surf Champs this weekend(starting today). Oh...dear
And Peninsula Boardriders are taking over Suicides Pt Leo Sunday. Going to be a circus both sides (well...its always a circus in WP)
Surfed Western Port yesterday and it was kinda horrible...winds were good but the 11 sec swell period had waves really close together almost leapfrogging each other on some sets....Hoping for better things this weekend!
I want to say it's the first time in a while there are no negative opinions.
After a last weekend Distinguished Gentleman's ride and everybody acting accordingly
Its so refreshing
Love that coastline, used to call it home
Agree with some of the comments above that it doesn't look too crowded. There always seems to be a pack out at Winki, even on some average days when looking on the cams. It always seems hard to get waves on the good days I find. At least there are plenty of B and C grade waves (compared with Bells and Winki) all along the SC when conditions line up like they have been recently. I reckon there'll be a lot of people around this weekend with the forecast, as you would expect.
Still looks like there is far too much west in this swell. Winki looks busy as you would expect on a Saturday morning (and with the Bells Bowl closed for competition). Hopefully, the
the swell angle will move more SW and with an increase in size we will see some excellent conditions.
Sat 27 th May AM....West Coast Vic is stacked to the horizon with a building swell and Westerly winds...Yew!!!