Lefthanders • Surf Spot Statistics

Best Surf Season (April - September)

The year at Lefthanders builds from the autumn equinox into the southern winter as the Southern Ocean storm track intensifies. Average swell heights climb from 6-7ft (2.0m) in April to a powerful 8-9ft (2.6-2.8m) between June and September, while average periods strengthen into the 12.8-13.3s band. During these months, the swell rose locks into the ideal SW-WSW-W direction for this west-southwest facing reef, producing the long, heavy, grinding lefts the wave is famous for. April and May are the standout quality months, with ideal offshore wind percentages peaking at 28-29%, but even the more wind-affected midwinter months offer the most consistent and consequential surf of the year.

Fair Surf Season (March & October)

The shoulder months of March and October are transition periods when the ocean is still full of energy but the wind regimes are shifting. March averages 6ft (1.9m) at 12.5s with 22% ideal winds, while October holds 7ft (2.2m) at 12.9s but sees ideal winds drop to 17%. Both months produce plenty of SW/WSW groundswell, but the quality is more sensitive to local wind direction changes, making the early-morning window particularly important.

Low Surf Season (November - February)

Summer is the sleepy season. Average heights drop to 6ft (1.8-1.9m), periods fall below 12s, and the dominant wind regime swings back to SE/SSE/S - steadily onshore and cross-onshore at Lefthanders. Ideal offshore flow from the NE/ENE/E/ESE quadrant is only present 14-17% of the time, which is why the reef is at its least consistent from late spring through the summer months. Occasional tropical-origin or frontal swells can still provide fun days, but this is strictly a waiting period for the next winter swell season.