Ulladulla Bommie • Statistics for January

January: Summer Trade-Swell Grind

January is the heart of the Australian summer, and the trade-wind belt from the Coral Sea pumps persistent NE/ENE swell toward the NSW coast. Combined, NE and ENE swell account for more than 31% of the wave energy, with a big chunk in the 5-6.5ft (1.5-2m) range. The average period sits at a modest 8.1s, so the Bommie receives mostly short-period, punchy swell rather than long-period groundswell. The ideal ESE/SE/SSE/S window still accounts for about 46% of the swell, usually in the 3-8ft (1-2.5m) range, and when a summer East Coast Low drifts south, it can throw a proper 6.5ft+ (2m+) S/SSE swell at the reef. The problem is the wind: NE/NNE/SE/SSE winds dominate and the seabreeze cycle switches on early, chopping up the face. With ideal offshore flow (N/WNW/NW/NNW) only 35% of the time, dawn patrol and late-afternoon front-runners are your best bets. Air temperatures average 21.4°C and the water is a warm 21.4°C, making it popular even if quality is inconsistent.