Have you ever wondered how some surfers have learned how to read surf forecasts without any formal education regarding weather conditions? They somehow know when the waves are going to be monstrous and when they are ideal for beginners.

One of the most vital skills that a surfer must possess is the ability to read the weather. Unlike other sports where you just hope for a nice, clear day, surfers are usually waiting for bad weather conditions and embracing the chaos. 

By the end of this article, the goal is to make sure that you will be equipped with the basic knowledge and know-how to predict the next best time to take your surfboard out. But before all that, it’s important to learn about swell, wind, and tide.

Fundamental Elements of Surf Forecasts

Before learning all about reading surf forecasts, it’s important to have an idea of the data surfers use to study the waves. As of 2023, surfers rely on the swell data, wind, and the tide. Having access to this data can guarantee a great surfing experience.

Swell

When it comes to wave quality and size, swell data is the number one resource to check out. With the help of a swell chart, surfers can get a graphical representation of the swell height, swell period, and swell direction of a particular surf spot.

Wind

Having great swell data doesn’t always equate to a fantastic surf session. Learning about off-shore, on-shore, and cross-shore winds can help you understand if the surf spot has the best qualities to provide rich and remarkable waves.

Tide

Learning about tides can also help you understand the type of waves you are likely to encounter in your chosen surf spot. Being able to know the tide schedule can greatly benefit you, especially if you’re looking for a certain type of wave.

Mastering The Waves: How To Read Surf Forecasts

Now that you have a better understanding of the swell, wind, and tide, it’s time to discuss how to become better at reading surf forecasts. The goal of this section is to help you understand the tools you can use, as well as the experience you’ll get through trial and error.

Scouting the Surf Spot(s)

Unlike other extreme sports out there, surfing usually takes some prep time. Being able to scout your target surf spot is very important, especially if you’re looking for quality waves. Each surf spot has its own characteristics and weather conditions. 

The last thing you want to do is to go out on a whim and expect ideal surfing results.

Use Apps and Websites

Seasoned surfers know that a detailed weather app is more than enough to give them an idea of what to expect. However, thanks to more tech and innovations, there are other data sets that surfers can benefit from. Here are two of the most common apps used by surfers today.

Windguru - this app has everything you need to plan your surf session accordingly. It has wind and wave forecasts, location-specific data such as swell graphs and tables, plus many more. It’s also available for iOS and Android devices.

Windy - While not purely a surf forecast app, Windy has amazing tools to help you with reading swell data. 

Swell Height, Period, and Direction

Apart from learning about the weather conditions, it’s also important to learn how to read the swell height, swell direction, as well as the swell period. Fortunately, most apps have this information readily available.

Reading Swell Height - this is measured by a buoy. It is calculated based on the wave’s distance from the trough to its highest peak.

Reading Swell Period - this is measured by the length of time it takes for the waves to pass in one location over a period of time.

Reading Swell Direction - this is done by checking the directions of the wave as it approaches the surf spot.

Reviewing Swell Charts

Being able to read and review swell charts is one of the most important skills you can get as a surfer. The visual representation of the data provided can help you analyze the swell conditions over time. Having the ability to plan ahead can reward you with a better surfing experience.

Tide Timing

Are you looking for monster waves or mellow ones? This is where learning about tide timing can benefit you. If you’re after powerful waves, then make sure that your surf spot is on high tide. For beginners looking for gentle and playful waves, wait until low tide and make the most of it.

Wind Condition Analytics

Analyzing wind conditions is very crucial for surf beginners as they can make the experience either enjoyable or terrifying. There are three known wind conditions that can affect your surfing. See below for more information.

Offshore Winds - these are wind conditions that go from land to sea. These are the ideal waves for beginners and intermediates as they are more uniform and predictable. 

Onshore Winds - these are wind conditions that go from sea to land. These tend to create wind chops that turn normal waves into disjointed ones, which makes it very tricky for casuals.

Cross-Shore Winds - these are wind conditions where both onshore and offshore winds are happening simultaneously. These are very common in areas that are experiencing horrible weather conditions. 

Advanced-Data Analytics

If you’re looking for serious waves, then it’s very important to dive into advanced data analytics. Fortunately, the most popular surf spots in the world will give you access to their historical data, buoy data, as well as wave models (if applicable). 

See more information below.

Historical data - having the capability to review historical data is valuable for accurately predicting the season so you can plan your surf sessions accordingly.

Buoy data  - popular surfing sites have installed buoys to accurately measure the wave conditions in real-time. This is very important for extreme athletes who are looking for the gnarliest waves.

Wave Models - premium surfcast apps provide access to wave data that can predict the wave conditions via simulation. While not 100% accurate, these wave models can provide more details about the waves you might encounter.

Conclusion

Reading surf forecasts accurately is not something you can master overnight. However, having access to tools makes a difference when reading waves. While it’s true that reading forecasts on your own is a valuable skill, you can still get crucial information from apps.

If the goal is to make informed decisions prior to rolling out for a surf session, then it’s safe to say that mastering everything that has been written in this article will give you a better chance of catching the best waves in your area.

What are you waiting for? Check the forecast, grab your board, and start riding those waves!