South East Queensland and Northern New South Wales Surf Forecast (issued Friday 21st March)

Where I live, you wouldn't think I live here on the GC , I like the weather, I like the bush, I like listening to the Yowies at night as of recent....! I do get good waves other than the GC not far away.
I hate the crowds MVG, but it gets me thinking on different levels ie between 10- 2pm when I'm home, light onzie's, little sneaky south swells during winter and TOS on those swells, hey the water is warm too.
Over surfing the Catlins in 4-5mm steamers feeling like a bag of cement but I do miss NZ, its so under rated as of waves, many people here say get rid of the North Island but have they travelled there thru autumn, it pumps both West and East.
Anyways got a mortgage so paying it off at the mo, might look further a field later on, would like to check Tassie out :)

Mitch Very Good, Can I ask the same question.......?

I'm hearin ya Welly, the hinterland is quite rainforesty and beautiful. I like the idea of the Catlins, must be the most consistent spot on Earth, and surely the locals have every nook and cranny for winds sussed. But I'm not afraid to wear a steamer in December, so not sure how I really would go down there haha.

I moved to SEQ for uni, but now, I'm waiting for enlistment. Off to sail the seas my friend.

Welly.... "tassie" -4/3.... bootys.... hood........gloves... real estate is cheap though..... Down near Port Arthur is good... On one side you get the sw swells... On the other is the east coast..... Don't bother down my way.... No surf here...... ;)

Mitch, here's the graph...... Dunno about "sandcastles"..... Note all graph lines peaking around pre lunch 24th...... ???

Sandcastles comment was about this peak on the 25th at Southport, circled in red, which you referred to originally.

Now you've moved onto this peak? the one circled in red?

or this one? You also mentioned early on the 24th previously.

Either way, I don't really see anything too out of the ordinary, when you look at the overall trends. A guy from MHL has said on another thread that the maths behind it is a black art. I'm not saying it's dodgy, but representing every bump in the ocean in a meaningful way is very complicated. Then, you gotta take into account the assumption that the data is being recorded and transmitted 100% perfectly also.

Mitch, Yeah I took the "sandcastles" comment onboard for the 25th. But in my original post, I also wrote "All other readings fall between the two mentioned" ( as in the peak early 24th, and the peak early 25th).

On the mooloolabah graph, could one could argue that the max wave height peak @ roughly 12.30am 24th, could be a "sandcastle"? Afterall, zero period is well down at that stage..... Whereas at about pre lunch to lunchtime on the 24th mooloolabah, all 4 sets of data seem to peak at the same time.... Seems to be a similar peak at North moreton bay too, and a 9.00am ish' peak at caloundra.....

Hey.... Ben!!!! I found a new toy!!!!! Shouldn't you be drinking double decaf soy lattes in Manly right now? ;)

Ok well, for starters, I've been using coastwatch.com.au. So I didn't even realise the Caloundra buoy was there! my bad.

So, you've identified a smaller peak in Hmax and a rising Hsig, to varying degrees, at various buoys...
- after forerunners of groundswell arrive
- but before groundswell trains consistently fill in (Tzero peak)
- and before the Hmax and Hsig peak peak

a) disregard it as an artefact
b) synoptically, we had a slackening ridge (until the 25th), correct? So I don't see a source of sandcastles there. Not impossible as there could've been imbedded features not shown on the BoM charts.
c) I guess it's just the nature of squash zone groundswells (should this be distinguished from a cyclone groundswell, even though teher was a cyclone?), consistently pumping out bigger and bigger swell trains. Then some of those trains (not sets? I dunno?) happened to double up under the buoy, and probably 10s of kms E & W of the bouys too?

Don, help me out. Sub polar low groundswells have different characteristics to squash zone and cyclone groundswells right? When they are generated and when buoys record these swells from great distance, 1000s of kms from the fetch? i.e. compare virtual buoys from inside the fetch to adjacent to the fetch to distant from the fetch.

Lastly, fyi, I surfed the arvo of the 23rd and it was pretty dismal. High tide around Moffs. After surfing punchy,low itde waves in the morning, the gutlessness of Moffs was doing my head in. So I was giving a boog infested shorie a crack and rolled my ankle a bit. Punchy waves are a dangerous addiction :|

Ooooh, double blended!? Gotta try that one.

Well...... As far as my forecasting goes, I can see why I've stuck to my old tried and tested ways........ :) Jesus..... :o) The old deckhand just looks at the maps and goes "yep"...... ;).

To strip it down to it's bones, mitch, incase others are reading our boring jargon, Let's compare that graph to the stockmarket...... yeah, I know, you're shaking your head.. hehehe........Lets say the 4 lines represent different shares..... And the questions were, " between the 24th and 25th, at what time were all 4 shares simultaneously performing well"? "When did they all peak together?"

I'd have to say, at around 11am to 12 noon on the 24th..... Yeah?

Unfortunately the multi-spectral Byron buoy data for the 24th is no longer available bit if it was (and if my memory serves me well) you'd see that the long period groundswell peaked pre dawn on 24th. It also shows multiple period swells in the water, more so later on on the 24th and I think this is what has tended to think the other buoys peaked later on the 24th (the trade wind swell in the 11-12sec band).

If we an get access to the multi spectral analysis for Byron for the 24th/25th then this would help show my point (and hopefully that my memory isn't that bad!!!)

Not bad a bad analogy Sheepy. As a surfer, I would define the peak of the swell as something like: The sets have to be in the, say, within 20% of the highest. (e.g. 8ft max, then 6ft sets( I know that doesn't add up) and must be more consistent than not (e.g. more consistent than every 2nd set). Hsig and Tzero are pretty much the mathematical approximation of this. Looking at all 4 lines works can help, but I think that's how we got in this muddle.

So, I wouldn't go so far as to say 11am-12noon. I'd say mid morning. But I wouldn't say you're wrong.

So Don, basically what you're saying is it would show a typical groundswell pattern where the 'bulk' of the swell arrives after the forerunners?

Agreed Ben but when Tzero is very high it shows that there is very little windswell contaminating the data, which was the case around the 24th.

Yeah cheers. Agree with all points here. I generally look to the spectral analysis first, then the graph, then Point lookout data, then the rest. The spectral analysis realllllly has been a great addition.

Sheepdog wrote:

I'd have to say, at around 11am to 12 noon on the 24th..... Yeah?

I reckon too Sheepio, was in the water around that time and it was consistent solid 6ft, more that one wave sets at 20 min intervals, thats for sure, maybe the push of the tide helped as well....?
That morning was great as well but a lot less waves with longer waits, as what was predicated.

IMO it helps to just check the waves at the coast all day and surf different intervals, thats what stands out in my mind with size, period etc :) Good work fellas, interesting to say the least.

Ha yeah Welly, that would be better.

now that I think about it a bit more, Tp/Tzero/Tsig doesn't directly have anything to do with set consistency. More of just a guide as to whether there's more ground or windswell trains in the water. Then you infer frequency of sets.

All well and good....... minimal wind at the time..... minimal windswell etc etc etc.......
So, in hyndsight, looking at the graph..... I'll ask a simple yes or no question..... Please no politicians answer....... yes...... or no.

Did the swell at mooloolabah generally peak (across the board - all aspects) late morning/lunchtime on the 24th? Yes?........ or....... No?...... ;)

SD, now I know where you've got your login name from. You're just like a fecking sheep dog continually nipping away at the sheeps heels until you put the sheep in the pen and then your job's done. Give it away mate. We beg to differ on this one, so just let it go mate!!!!

donweather wrote:

SD, now I know where you've got your login name from. You're just like a fecking sheep dog continually nipping away at the sheeps heels until you put the sheep in the pen and then your job's done. Give it away mate. We beg to differ on this one, so just let it go mate!!!!

Probably one of those dogs that jump on and over the sheeps back, suppose its a lot quiker to cover ground eh Sheepio.

"YES"

Wellsy, actually got the name at high school.... My mates labelled me after the WB cartoon -sam the sheepdog ( you know- the coyote and that sheepdog)... Long hair hangn' over my booshot red eyes.. Real friendly dog unless you try steeling his sheep...... ;)

Donny.... Chillax mate..... Stop being so touchy and taking everything as a dig..... It's not mate.... You didn't have to answer at all. The question was open to mitch, you ,ben, or anyone...... Not just you.... There is a reason I asked the questions...... So chillax and don't take part, mate. I didn't mean to offend you....... sheeesh......
Mitch, if you are out there..... The reason i ask the questions above is re' my old theory about cyclone swells generally rocking up a bit later than most expect. Before the Luci swell, you even commented that the bar graph had the luci swell peaking at late one evening, yet the actual records show it peaked some 8 hours after that...... Now this swell, looking at the graph, peaked 11 hours after what was predicted...

It's called "learning", maybe putting old style forecasting together with your "elite uni' style new wave forecasting ( just stirring, mitch, us working class deckhands do that sort of thing lol ;) ).

But look, if no one gives a fuck, neither will I..... I'll just keep to my way of doing things..... That's cool.....

Yes

Fuck me dead haha. Welly actually surfed it throughout by the sounds, so I'd go by his word. I vaguely remember the automated forecast peaking Mon morn, early. Definitely didn't come early though!

SD, according to the forecasting website I use, it had the following forecast for SE Qld for Monday 24th:

Mon 24th
12am 3.5ft@14s
3am 5ft@14s
6am 5ft@14s
9am 5ft@14s
12pm 5ft@14s
3pm 4.5ft@13s

So I'll let you decide where it was forecasting the peak.

Nice work Don,

But were you surfing BH between 11am and 1pm, IMO it was cranking even tho light onsies and was solid sets not just one or two waves.

:) love your research tho, is your Octiva (Skoda) Black.....?

Don.... I have decided via the mooloolabah chart above.... It peaked between 11am and 12.00pm . note... I also supplied the chart for your perusal...... ;)

Gents, the results I posted above are "forecast" swell heights, not actual recorded observations. SD is claiming that the forecast was set to peak early on the 24th, whilst it actually arrived just before lunch (according to him). I was merely indicating that the forecast wasn't really showing a peak, rather a plateau for some 9hrs+ or so.

And Welly, my Occy is an RS blue wagon

http://i860.photobucket.com/albums/ab161/donweather/IMG_5180.jpg

Nice car, donny.......Sweeeeet ride...... :) Now, you write "SD is CLAIMING that the forecast was set to peak early on the 24th, whilst it actually ARRIVED just before lunch (according to him)".....

1. It didn't "arrive" just before lunch....Just above, I said "It PEAKED between 11am and 12.00pm ". Arrived and peaked are two different things, Don.

2. re' "SD is CLAIMING that the forecast was set to peak early on the 24th"...... Um ... Don.... maaate... Go up to the top of the page and read Ben's notes, written only 48 hours before...... Better still, I'll paste them here to save you time....

"Sunday morning should see the arrival of long range E’ly groundswell courtesy of TC Mike. I've already detailed the complexities around this swell in the various forecast notes since last Friday; suffice to say that this swell is DUE TO PEAK IN SIZE OVERNIGHT SUNDAY OR EARLY MONDAY MORNING."

There in black and white, Don........

Wellymon was "on the frontline".... He doesn't seem like a bullshit artist.... He reckons late morning/lunch the swell was at it's biggest, and most consistent..... The Mooloolabah graph seems to back his claim.....

Anyway, probably no more cyclone swells this season, unless we get a rogue forming quite a ways north..... So next season, we'll see if my 3 decade long observation of cyclone swells being a bit late for Dons party will continue..... heheh... Cheers big fella....

Apologies SD, I meant PEAK rather than ARRIVE.

My point above was that not ALL websites were forecasting the swell to peak overnight Sunday.

And if only can stop the axle tramping she'd be an even sweeter ride since my new tune!!!!

"And if only can stop the axle tramping she'd be an even sweeter ride since my new tune!!!! "

Classic Don,
Yeah I have seen you zooming around from time to time, next time I will say hello if you stop going WOT:) I like those wagons, a good mate went back home and drove his dads around the South Island, said it was the sweeetest ride he'd experienced.
Did you get some good waves during the last 2 swells....?

Sheepdog, creature of the night, was there a resort in the next bay over from Ratshit when you were there? you must've met a few interesting characters? I still can't get over your insights into the personality of /\lift. Best call, and I believe you're not just having a dig. Seriously, who gives a fuck.

Mitch.....No, no resort at turtle bay.... Used to get a little brown peeler in there sometimes too... pebblys, up near yule point, wanghetti, Ellis, Buchans sandbar, Yorkeys beach, and the yorkeys cove (little cove right next to the rock wall - actually a fun little 2 foot wedge off the cliff sometimes).

2 photos of ratshit in all her mushy brown glory, and one of a young sheepy with his single fin pointing at a wedge in the cove, all around 1981;

Ah, Sheepie, been a resort at Turtle bay for a long time now. Maybe you should drop in for a visit..........

fitzroy..... Ith that an invite thweety? Yeah.... heard the rumours..... Very funny...... :)

"And Welly,"
What the,,,,.......Come on Don give us some love mate.....?

Tagged

"And Welly, my Occy is an RS blue wagon"

Be ready for a kiss through the side window champ.

Sheepio what aclassic 70's photo, single fin, cropped long hair done from ya missus with a long bowl around ya haed :)

Maybe you did the head cut....? who knows.

UMMMMMMM

81 :)

Yeah... Wish I had that much hair now hehehe :)

Mitch - cyclone gene - 2008 - struggled to get to 5 foot for one day.

...... Cyclone des, 2002..... A 1 1/2 day wonder swell. The best quality 6 foot granite I have ever seen.... But swell vanished by the second afternoon...

The fetch Sheepio Dawwgio
The fetch????
:)

Thanks SD, so what do you think? they move around too fast?

Oh and that wedge, fuck yes I've mind surfed that a few times haha!

Fetch, doggy! Fetch! ;) Mitch, welly is right onto it.... You can have a stationary cyclone/low just south of New Cal', but if there isn't a decent high parked under it ( over NZ) causing a "squeezed" fetch, it'll be lucky to get to 4 foot.... And the lows that move "too fast" are generally the ones that aren't being held in position by a "blocking high". So what you are saying makes perfect sense....
ps- the wedge in that photo at it's peak was nearly 3 foot..... I'm actually standing up on the groyne, which you should be able to tell by the photo angle...... It's about as good as the cove ever gets lol...

A guy drowned on the south side of that groyne. A strong enough rip got moving there and he couldn't swim his son back in amongst the 25kt wind chop. The son was rescued though.

Back to the lows. Gene looks pretty legit, even had 1025 under it on that day. So it is surprising. Especially comparing it to ECLs, which can whip up 6ft overnight, and boost into the 13sec range on the 2nd day. So I guess the difference is down to the decay.

i'm driving back up north on Fri, taking a board(s). I think I'm gonna take my fave 5'10 King's Groyne "Axe" cos I can grovel with it a bit too... do you think it is mistake to not bring a real grovel board though??? I've seen punchy beachies up there, but I dunno...