Magicseaweed estimates that on average larger waves will be between 1.5x and 2x as high, so if we forecast 6ft, the largest waves in the swell will be about 9ft or 12ft. The wave height is not the actual height of the largest waves. Lastly, check swell height but do not confuse it with wave height. Northwest means there might be a good wave at the north end of your surf spot, so wetsuit up and head there. Then check the direction: this tells you where on that beach the swell breaks and if they are left or right-handed shots. That is how long the waves will be rolling in, which tells you what kind of break it may suit. The next thing to do is to check a swell period. The rating is a number that estimates the height of the waves from one to five, with five stars being the biggest. Tides are highly specific to an individual's local break, so you'll need to learn how tide patterns affect your particular spot.Ĭheck the "swell rating" to see how big the waves are. The morning is often the best time to surf because there are fewer winds. When winds are over 30km/h (20mph), it will get complicated. At speeds below five kilometres per hour (3mph), the ocean will be great regardless of whether you're going in a direction or not. The lower the number, the more likely a wave will be good. Surfers who want to practice aerial manoeuvrers would most likely prefer catching an onshore wind. Offshore winds, which push waves towards the coast rather than away from it, are ideal for surfing. In surfing, there are two primary wind conditions: onshore and offshore. A surfer values glassy conditions―a calm surface of the water without gusts of wind―the most, but tough surfers learn to manage even the worst conditions. Surfing is usually best when it’s wind-free. Surf forecasts often display wind direction in degrees/bearing. When the swell is 5m from the south and east-northeast facing the beach, it might be a better choice. If your beach is northeast facing, it will miss out on many swells that come from the south. Understanding the wind direction and swell size can help you know which areas you will find the biggest waves. Learn to know your break, and weather reports from other beaches can provide helpful info for how conditions might be elsewhere. Swell direction tells you where the swell is coming from in degrees/bearing. RELATED : Not sure what some words mean? Read our guide on 31 surfer lingo & terms and get back here right after! Swell direction When waves are breaking at a 6-second interval, surfers will find the waves weak and unappealing. The duration of these waves can be gauged by looking at how far the wave is breaking out beyond the curl or inside on tube sections. Swell periodĪt least 8 seconds of waves and longer for the swell to build momentum is essential in most places. Under 1 meter, waves are usually more suited to beginner surfers. 3m waves are not appropriate for beginners, but experienced surfers take on waves of incredible height. If the surf forecast says 1-3m (3-9ft), then it's usually a good time to go surfing. The size of the wave, or swell height, is a measure in feet or meters. Key factors of reading surf forecasts are: Swell size However, learning to read these numbers is a great first step on your way to improving your surfing learning curve. Today, we will explain the key elements and how you can gauge when an epic swell is coming your way after reading this article.Ī “good” swell size, or surf conditions in general, will depend on several factors such as if it’s a sand- or reef-break, wind- or storm-swells and many more things. Reading a surf report can be confusing at first for beginners. Let’s find out how to read surf forecast? How to read a surf report Surfing is fun but it can always be better with a little dose of planning when and where to surf beforehand. The time and place can change, depending on what kind of surf report there is. ![]() You should know the surf conditions before you go out on your own, and a great way to do that is by reading a surf report. Some people will be happy no matter the conditions, but for those who want more than just water and waves, there are some key indicators to watch out for. ![]() What makes a great day to surf? Well, it depends.
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