Stormrider Guide to surfing Shoalhaven, South Coast

New South Wales, AUSTRALIA

Aussie Pipe, Colm Walsh

Summary

+ Varied quality breaks	- Colder than Sydney
+ Swell consistency	- Sharky waters
+ Low NSW crowd level	- Weekend crowds
+ Sydney escape	- Some localism

The South Coast generally refers to the coast south of Sydney down to the border with Victoria. Shoalhaven is the northernmost of three subregions, populated by retirees and visitors from Sydney and Canberra. The most popular tourist destination in New South Wales Ð a majestic stretch of coast with natural bays, white sand beaches, and a cloak of typical Aussie bush. Famed for its fish, dolphins and migrating whales, but also the unique reefs, points and beachbreak surf spots providing a great release valve for SydneyÕs weekend warriors.

When to Go

Consistent but rarely epic, most of the summer swell is generated by NE/SE wind. SE-S groundswells are more reliable and powerful from April to September. The surf is regularly 2-5ft, hitting 6-8ft a few times per month, with short flat periods in winter. SW winds are common in winter while summers are offshore in the morning before the NE sea breeze picks up. Most beachbreaks and reefbreaks work best on the incoming tide, even though tidal range is minimal.

Surf Spots

Booderee National Park is home to the all-time classic reefbreak Black Rock (aka Aussie Pipe, Wreck Bay or Summercloud Bay). One of the hollowest and most photogenic lefts in Australia, breaking intensely over a shallow cunjevoi and urchin-infested bottom. The local indigenous surfers can be protective. S swells, NE sea breezes and mid tide. ConeeleyÕs Reef is a quality left and right reefbreak facing Swan Lake that needs a moderate SE to S swell and westerlies. Plenty of beachies nearby. All standards of surfer will find something at Bendalong Beach, where busy but highly consistent peaks can offer barrels on all swells and tides. ItÕs a long walk and a longer paddle (over the Shark Pit) to the tip of Green Island where long, sectiony, bending, walled-up longboard lefts break in a moderate to big NE to S swell. Offshore in summer NE winds so often crowded. Mollymook has punchy beach peaks plus a zippy right off the reef at the south end. Ulladulla, a bustling fishing port and commercial centre is the hub of South Coast surfing. Locals show a real respect for Golf Course Reef, a left with long hollow walls peeling over shallow rocks in a big NE-SE. The bigger the better, but expect a heavy paddle-out. On a monster S swell, the locals head to the Bommie, a challenging, unpredictable and unforgiving open ocean right and occasional left. Rips and shallow bottom Ð watermen only. Neighbouring Rennies Beach offers great beach waves for intermediates and a right reef in the southern corner. On a medium NE to E swell, head to Dolphin Point where a gnarly left jacks-up hollow, barreling sections over a shallow ledge. Crampton Island is home to Dum Dums, a shallow reef that gets fast and hollow in a small NE to SE swell. Guillotines is a scary freefall drop into a growling barrel over a ledge, getting faster and shallower before shutting down. Further out on Bawley Point, is a short intense right barrel with a bottomless take-off in monster swells up to 15ft. ItÕs really nasty getting in and out when over 6ft. Hellmen only. Explore the bush to find uncrowded spots like Depot Beach with S wind protection. North Durras has a large reef in front of the lake entrance, where intermediates will enjoy excellent lefts and rights, but beware of the deep channel rips.

Statistics

dominant swell

E -SE

E -S

swell size (ft)

4-5

5-6

consistency (%)

dominant wind

NE -S

N -SW

S -W

SW -N

N -SW

N -S

average force

F4-F5

consistency (%)

water temp (C)

wetsuit

springsuit

3/2

Travel Information

Weather
Winter temps range from 8-22¡C (46-72¼F) and summer temps are between 14-26¡C (58-79¼F). Winter days can be warm and dry or cool and wet with sudden downpours that are evenly distributed throughout the year. A 3/2 fullsuit and booties in winter. Springsuit the rest of the year. Boardshorts on the warmest days.

Lodging and Food
Large choice of motels, guest houses, cabins and tent sites. Book in advance for overnight camping in Booderee Nat Park ($25/night). South Coast Ulladulla Lodge ($25, $58/dbl) is the best backpacker option. Huskisson Beach Tourist Resort in Jervis Bay has 5pax cabins ($100/n) as does the legendary DonÕs at Green Island (from $50/dble). Caravan Parks everywhere including Sussex and Mollymook.

Nature and Culture
South Coast is a place to experience nature, with Jervis Bay, the Kangaroo Valley, Ettrema Wilderness, Budawang Ranges and Morton National Park being the main landmarks. The wild bush area that extends from Pretty Beach to Durras is well worth a visit.