Lefthanders

Lefthanders (Margaret River North, WA, Australia) is one of Western Australia’s classic reef breaks, known for long, fast, powerful left-hand waves that can get seriously hollow when the swell lines up.

Quick description

• Wave type: Left-hand reef break
• Best for: Experienced surfers
• Swell: W/SW to SW works well
• Wind: Offshore with easterlies or light winds
• Character: Fast, punchy, and can barrel

What it’s like

Lefthanders is a high-performance wave that breaks over a reef and offers long, walling lefts with sections that can become very steep and critical. On bigger swells, it can hold serious size and deliver long rides, but it’s not a forgiving wave—there are rocks, reef, and strong currents to deal with.

Conditions

• Works best on solid southwest swells
• Tends to be cleaner with easterly offshore winds
• Can be crowded when conditions are good
• Needs a decent swell to really come alive

Hazards

• Sharp reef and shallow takeoff zones
• Strong currents
• Powerful waves with limited margin for error
• Can be heavy and challenging in larger surf

Vibe

It’s a respected wave in the Margaret River area—powerful, scenic, and a bit intimidating. Not usually the place for beginners, but a dream session for surfers who like long, fast lefts.