The Breaks

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Waitpinga Rivermouth

Drive down Denis Rd past the river estuary and the surfer finds a small yet sufficient well sheltered bitumised carpark with close access to the sprawling beach on a right hand turnoff. The panorama is beautiful with sand hill backdrop, gnarly reef break, Kangaroo Island on the western horizon and Newland Head several kilometres to the east. Truly breathtaking scenery. Wax up trot down a well-constructed boardwalk and you’re in. It is a very changeable bottom here with sandbar and sometimes exposed reef depending on sand movement. There are two distinct breaks at the river mouth, one Left one Right. The Right is to the left and the Left is on the right both culminating at a deep gutter into the river mouth. Entry is easy here most times however the Right is often accompanied by a strong rip as water drains the area, with a constant paddle required to stay on the break. Expect company on this popular break if conditions are good. It is anyone’s wave most times as are

most other very shifty Waitpinga breaks. This wave works well on the smallest days and good rides can be had at 2 foot. It is an outstanding wave at 3 to 5 ft. with north-east to north-westerly winds from 5 to 10 knots and a south west swell. If these conditions prevail on the weekend half of Adelaide will be having a go. Further to the east there are many sand banks worth investigating for more great waves.

 

 Waitpinga carpark

Continuing on down Denis Road past the river mouth the surfer blunders upon the main Waits Carpark. A large parking area with good toilet facilities, fully bitumised with a great boardwalk and viewing platform provided. From the carpark there are two choices on a small to medium swell. Directly in front of the carpark is a plethora of sand banks providing either a gnarly shore break on small swell up to a cranking left or right hander outback when swell approaches 6 foot. Anything over 6 ft may hold up depending on the banks and will provide head high barrels but only for the extremely fit well experienced surfer, the force behind these breaks is unbelievably strong. The best conditions are around 3 to 5 feet with a south west swell and gentle northerly breeze, however a gentle southerly breeze also provides great waves. This area is often the backdrop for many professional and semi-professional competitions especially when cranking. The second break from the carpark is a short 50 to 100 metre walk to the east where the surfer enters upon a channel from the beach to find a sandbar about 50 metres out. At anywhere from 2 to 4 foot this sandbar break provides a fun barrelling left hander that usually puts a grin from ear to ear on any surfer. This break also provides the long boarder with a fun do able wave often away from the young short board monkeys that abound in the area. Again gentle northerly winds and south/ south west swell are best.

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Kings Beach

Drive down a steep dirt road west of The Bluff about a kilometre to a small carpark. Take the track west to enjoy scenic gully crossings and gorgeous views of West Island. Descend a short yet steep track to picturesque Kings beach. Paddle off the beach or for the more adventurous lunge straight off Kings head into the preferable 8 foot plus swell that turns this break on for some breathtaking adrenaline rushing right hand magic. This break has the potential under these circumstances for a short but memorable barrel

session. A point break over rocky reef. Works well on straight southerly swell and can be epic. It is a wave only for the most accomplished surfer.

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Deps

Depledge beach in between Kings and Petrel Cove. Walk the track from Petrel Cove for more than a Kilometre and the surfer will find the signage  indicating Depledge Beach. A punchy left hander beach break with hidden little suck rocks all over. Works well on a 3 to 4 foot swell.

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Petrel Cove

Petrol cove is location at the south western side of the Rosetta Heads (The Bluff). A sealed car parking area looks directly of the beautiful cove – a small sandy beach (most of the time) encompassed by rocky coast line. 

Access to the beach is via steep stairs.   Don’t be fooled by the beautiful setting as this beach is dangerous.  A very strong rip runs most of the time from the western side of the beach along the jagged rocks.  This beach has claimed the lives of a number of unsuspecting swimmers over the years. Open to south west and southerly swells handling up to 5- 6 foot.  Best winds - north east / west.     A Short but punchy right hander starting out the front of the western rocky point, can produce a nice little barrel.  When the ‘stars’ are in alignment, a mystical lefty (and a small right) may appear on the eastern side of the cove – watch the rocks!

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Shark Alley

Located on the north eastern side of The Bluff, between The Bluff and Wright Island lies the infamous Shark Alley.  Stories say it was named at the time when whaling was at its peak.  Sharks were known to follow the whaling boats into the docking / processing area after an easy feed.

Shark Alley breaks on larger southerly swells and works well with a range of northerly winds.  A big paddle of over 500m will see you in the line-up.  A fast and chunky 3 -5 foot lefty frequented mostly by boogers and the occasional short boards, goat boaters and more recently SUPS.

  

Inman River

On a big swell during a medium to high tide with a light northerly breeze this rocky bottomed stretch from Inman river mouth to causeway jetty can turn on great 2 to three foot peelers. Access via the Victor Harbor foreshore near Kings Road, take your pick of easy parking and beach access with great views of Granite Island in the background.

  

The Pines

Firstly, this spot out front of Victor Harbor’s Soldier’s Memorial Gardens lined by massive Norfolk Pines only works well on a huge swell. However when the faint of heart won’t tackle the swell ripping apart all other breaks this little gem goes off. A peeling right hand break that offers clean 2 to 4 foot peelers providing a surprisingly long ride. Again offshore west, south westerly winds are the best with an accompanying mid tide. Winter often provides these conditions and nothing ends a surf session better than a coffee afterwards with your mates at the nearby “Anchorage” or Qahwah Cafe.

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The Dump

Heading out of Victor Harbor on the road to Port Elliot one turns right onto First Avenue to find a large bitumised carpark with toilet facilities. Adjacent to the carpark is The Dump three distinct breaks at a place notorious for its ferocious dumping beach break. First break to the west is a quality right hander and subsequently the most popular of the three. On a medium swell of 2 to 3 feet it is a casual take off onto a  clean face for a less than inspiring ride however ramp up the swell to six foot plus and the surfer is in for the ride of a lifetime. This break can easily hold eight foot on a high tide, jacking up from deep water for a fast take off into a steep clean face. Big swells make this a very popular break for intermediate and experienced only. The second break and middle break of the three is a little closer inshore being a very gnarly shore break working best at 2 to 4 ft. anything bigger should only be attempted by the very experienced and agile as the wipe-outs can be and are horrendous onto rocky shelf reef that lines the shore. This middle break is an A frame wave with quality lefts and rights lending itself to the gung-ho goofy footer. The final break is a left hand break just off Chiton Rocks again at 2 to 3 foot a reasonably sedate wave however any bigger than this and you had better pack another set of underwear.

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Bullies

When the swell is running at 6 foot plus this becomes one of South Australia’s premier surf locations. Breaking over submerged reef a hundred metres or so from shore it becomes the playground for only the most experienced and agile surfer. Predominantly a right hand break that can hold the largest of swells

and rivals any surf breaks around the world on such days. It will provide double overhead barrels or a horrendous wipe-out depending on take-off.

This number one adrenaline rush can be seen going off between Chiton Rocks and Knights beach. Again light offshore winds and large south west swell work best as it doesn’t break on small swells. Watch the shorey going out and coming in - can be hell!

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Knights Beach

One of the biggest, gnarliest point come shore breaks on offer in Australia with National Bodyboard Championships held here regularly. It is predominantly a body board break as it tends to destroy both surfboard and rider slamming onto bare sand. On days 3 foot plus a wedge of water pushes off its rock boulders catapulting the body boarder into perfect left beach break tubes of epic proportions. Again

best conditions offshore, southwest swell. Take The Strand at Port Elliot then turn right onto Merrilli place all the way to the end and you will find Knights.

 

Chicken Run

Entry via the Port Elliot caravan park turn off just outta town. A good gravel carpark and toilets 100 metres down. Grab the boards for a five minute walk to Bashams Beach being the only north facing bay in the entire proposed reserve. Round the bay to an east facing point break called the Chicken Run.

Will not work well on a small swell however when things elsewhere on the coast are doing five foot plus this little gem will start turning it on. Under these conditions a beautiful take off just off the rocks opens up into a

clean right hand face and lasts a long time, enough for a few cut backs and reos.

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Frenchman’s Rock

If your game paddle out from the Chicken Run to Frenchman’s, (or jump off the rocks if your game further around) it’s about 200m off the coast in deep water. On a five foot plus swell this spot turns it on with a killer left break that hits the shallow submerged rock outcrop and unleashes a powerful, gnarly wave only for the experienced. Nasty wipe-outs ensue if you get it wrong. Stand up barrels are possible on an incredibly fast and deep take off. Strong sweep on bigger days - good luck!

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Suicides

On the western end of The Bay, Middleton is Suicides. This wave is predominantly a clean and powerful right hand break surf able at 3 foot plus. It gets its name from the fact that the surfer is required to take off on a wave that throws straight onto dry rocky reef so quick take offs and dig the rail quickly to avoid injury.

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Middleton Bay or ‘The Bay’

Waves are available in close here on the smallest of days but really comes alive on offshore wind days of three foot plus. Paddle out from the beautiful sand cove straight into the constant rip that drains the Bay.

The cove has a bitumised carpark adjacent with a good toilet available 50m up the bike track. The bay is easily the most frequented surf spot in the entire state, with up to a hundred surfers present during holidays.

This does not always ruin the place as it is a great spot for surfing friends to catch up also the bay has several rows of breakers with left and right take offs meaning the bay will often have several surfers up at once with plenty of room for all.

The quality of the bay is subject to the ever moving sand in creating the ideal bank.  Winter swells see the best and biggest wave action. Not for the faint heart, great fun can be had with the wild south & south westerly stormies punching up hell man waves way out the back, holds 6 -8 footers.

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Middleton Point

Adjacent to the Bay, The Point is a right hand peeler that works from 1 to 6 foot and everything in between however 3 to 4 foot is usually ideal. Nice easy take offs on fat waves that lend themselves to longboards. This spot would be described as the longboard Mecca of the south coast hosting many Longboard championships throughout the year. To access is the same as for the Bay just paddle a little further to the point or for the more agile (and entertainment of the onlookers)  jump off the rocks at the point. Middleton Point and Bay can be found by turning toward the ocean past the Middleton Tavern onto Mindacowie Terrace. There are several bitumised car parking options with great toilet facilities.

 

Day Street

Heading toward Goolwa take Chapman Rd on the right to its ultimate destination in a large bitumised carpark. This is Day Street.  A very popular spot, surfable from 1 to six foot. On days of 3 foot plus the surfer will need to be a good paddler to get out the back. Once out the back magnificent lefts and rights are found with quick

take offs and clean fast faces.

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Grassy Knoll

Often referred to as the toilet block or second carpark. Conditions are the same here as for Day St working best on 2 to 5 foot swells, Winds that have North attached and a south to south west swell.

 

The Cliffs

Travelling toward Goolwa from Day Street along Surfers Parade the surfer encounters an area of cliffs. This area has some good unbitumised carparks and step access to the beach. This area has many sand banks and often holds the largest waves in the area. Again similar conditions to Day Street including the hard paddle on big days. Also a long hazardous swim from broken leg ropes on big days where the surfer can find themselves half a kilometre offshore with several huge breakers between themselves and the beach. Before paddling out here on huge days surfers must know their own limitations and don’t surf alone. This advice holds true for all breaks between Cliffs and Goolwa.

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Bradford Road

Heading in to Goolwa town limits turn onto Golfview Road and follow to many beach break options, Surf here is  bigger than the Middleton area however being all part of the same coastline, conditions stay the same as those from Day street onward. Many secluded carparks are on offer. This area is very suited to those that enjoy top quality yet uncrowded breaks. This area onward toward Goolwa has a reputation for getting ‘Sharky”, best not surfing at dawn or dusk here.

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Goolwa Beach

Great amenities are to be found here in the carpark at the end of beach road. A bitumised carpark, excellent toilet facilities, Goolwa surf lifesaving club and Bomboras Café. The surf on small days 1 to 3 foot is excellent for all standards with offshore breezes and south swell best. Larger swells are only for the very experienced as the waves and currents become severe indeed. This beach on large days joins the ranks of the few extremely dangerous beaches in Australia. This area has many ever changing sandbanks to surf on and again has a ‘sharky’ reputation.

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BY JOHN DOWZARD