Cyclone Alfred Sends Cooking Surf to Australia's East Coast
As the North Shore takes a breather, Australia is waking up from a nap. The first major swell event of the season is hitting the East Coast of Australia right now, and crazy things are happening.
As reported by major news outlets, Tropical Cyclone Alfred's movement is not a simple task. Forecasters believe the storm could make landfall later this week. If it does, it would be the first one south of Brisbane to do so since Zoe in 1974, according to Surfline. Both Queensland and New South Wales have issued weather warnings for flooding and dangerous winds. But while the cyclone hasn't slammed the coast yet, the swell undulating from it certainly has.
The Superbank, in particular, is ramping into the special mode that only an otherworldly sand-bottom-point can deliver. There'll be carnage, chaos, drop-ins and relentless currents that only David Goggins could love. But in between, there will be moments of reel, scroll-stopping glory. Already, we've seen some ridiculous tubes courtesy of Jack Robinson, Mick Fanning, Dean Morrison and Korbin Hutchings packed on Monday. Just hit up Surfing Australia's Insta for a plethora of 100-meter-long rides and breakneck tubes.
Later in the week, however, things start to creep into scary territory. By March 5, fueled by Alfred's might, Kirra could 8-12 feet with a 26 feet @ 14 second southeast swell bearing down on the point. After that, Alfred might render surfing impossible for a while. The Australian Bureau of Meteorology is posting periodic updates on the storm here. For all those QLD and NSW warriors, there's a limited window to channel your inner Kenny Powers. But for real, stay safe out there.
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