Late arvo update:
Shot with the new Panasonic G1.
Spent pretty much the whole day at a press function in Bondi. It was held at the Icebergs, so I had lots of time to watch the surf conditions there this afternoon. Basically, it started out with about 4 people in the water under drizzly skies at 10ish, and by the time I left 6 hours later, it was fairly crowded and sunny, but not dramatically better. For the most part it was in the knee to waist high range, with the odd chest high set. Banks didn’t look too wonderful, but there were occasional sections of interest, especially if you had a fish or a mal.
Lunchtime lump gets caught.
The press event was Panasonic’s launch of their new G1 micro four thirds digital SLR and the highlight came when they lent us all cameras and set us loose to take pictures of sculpture by the sea artworks. Not exactly great picture taking weather in a conventional sense, but I had fun. I borrowed a telephoto lens at one point when I got to Tama and found there were a few lidders playing in the junky shorepound. The G1 is a relatively small camera, but it’s a true SLR, and my preliminary impressions were favourable. Quite simple to use for the uninitiated I would think, and yet it has all the proper functions more experienced photogs want. Anyway, when we got back from the picture taking expedition, I grabbed another shot of someone mal-ing in the south Bondi shorey for ya.
I see the swell direction is still east, but the period has crept up closer to 8 seconds and the average size at sea is getting closer to 2 metres. Wind is out of the NNE at 15-20 kts, so if you’re heading out for a late one on this grey afternoon, this morning’s advice still applies.
Tomorrow’s still sounding like a furnace. Blasting hot NW winds ahead of a late 20-30 kt south change. I’m not too hopeful about waves, but maybe early you’d still get some of the little windswell that was pushed up toward dark today… small, weak and junky I’d say.
here’s this morning’s thoughts…
Hello Friends,
More grey skies and little weak chop at Dee Why
Hard to believe at this point, but tomorrow’s going to be hot-as. This morning’s grey skies and cool temps are matched with an equally lacklustre wave situation. Overnight the windswell’s swung back to the east. It’s short period, junky stuff though. According to the MHL data, it’s only 6 seconds apart and about 1.5 metres out at sea. I’d say you’d be doing well if you found a wave face half that height at one of our more easterly stretches of beach.
Mind you, even if you’re able to turn up something worth the effort, the Bureau is running up the strong wind warnings for this afternoon. The wind’s set to go from 10-15 kts NE this morning, to 20-25 kts this afternoon. That’s strong enough to (potentially) create something in the semi-protected north corners toward dusk. And by then the showery weather may have cleared up a bit.
Gotta get on with the day, but I’ll leave you with the cheerful news that a quick scan of the models shows they’re all riffing on a theme of longer period south swell mid-next week. In a bit of a rush this morning, so maybe will take a closer look this afternoon it the schedule permits.
Have yourself a top old day!
