The weather has cleared somewhat and the wind has swung much more to the west, which will progressively clean up the giant conditions if they stay from that direction all day as predicted. Tomorrow's winds are predicted as norwesterly, which would also be good.

SURFEST'S next call is at 10am today with giant waves battering the coast although they are expected to ease during today, according to the computer modelling used by Surfest surf forecaster Surfline,

Thursday and Friday have already been lost to wild conditions at Merewether.

Surfest's Ted Bassingthwaite said there would be another call at 10am, and if the surfing proceeded, it would be spectacular.

Surfcams at Newcastle show the waves hitting up against the beach front promenade even though high tide is still two hours way at the time of writing.

The Bureau of Meteorology said yesterday that a complex low pressure system over the Tasman Sea was driving large and powerful surf, with the strong southerly winds of the past two days abating over the weekend.

The inclement conditions have forced organisers to secure permission to extend into Monday if need be, but it remains a last resort.

IN THE NEWS:

With plenty of swell, the main variable is the wind. The bureau is forecasting southwest to northwesterly winds from today through to Monday, which will improve the surf considerably from the southerlies that have blown for the past few days.

The men's and women's competitions are down to the final 32 contestants each.

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