Wave height
 

It seems peoples perception of wave height varies as much as image of beauty. Every one sees something different. I found this site that is pretty revealing and informative.

http://www.intellicast.com/Travel/We...ine/Waves.aspx

Cool site Jim!!

Looks to be spot-on because it's flat in NJ today! http://www.njsurfer.com/

interesting

Quite simple actually...

It's either overhead or it's not... :D

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m...169_wsmall.jpg

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m.../1D402_w-1.jpg


and when it is not, you find someone with a waverunner to get you up to speed to ride the little ones... ;)

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m...G/13008222.jpg



Jim,

Wish ya could have been in Ocean City. It was like old times all over again...

Big Seas and some seriously damaged boats !

Pretty Cool site Jim!!

You link led me to this:

http://www.geocities.com/kp_diver/index111TheStorm.html

YIKES !!!!

Sites like this are going to suck all the fun out of this sport. How's a guy supposed to tell his buddies about "runnin' flat out in fives-n-sixes"?

And in a 232 Baja, no less! :D

Thats funny Jim,

Localized weather systems (pressure), wind, currents, temperatures and bottom contour create varied conditions on varied beach stretches . In fact as a racer you have no doubt experienced wildly different conditions from one part of a race course to another from the morning to the afternoon from from the start of the race to the end of a race. Throw on a odd roller or "set" as a surfer would call it and you could have a flat day with 4-6 ft swells.

Point is, weather conditions for a specific point (1 mile coastline) are hard enough to judge. A number on a map reresenting 700 miles of coastline is not realistic. But a good topic of conversation.

Every one thinks the big sea they are in is bigger than it really is.

Waves are formed over many miles taking many hours or days. Big swells don't just occur they are created over time and space.

Intellicast is a great site and the only one I use for weather- it's owned by WSI Corp; this company supplies the aviation world with up-to-the-minute weather for flight planning. Go to your local airport and you'll see their dishes mounted on just about every corporate and FBO hangar. Their radar is just about as good as it gets. A good site to add to your favorites.
Jim

How is a wave actually measured? Is it from bottom out to the top, or is it from horizon to top? Is a 6ft swell actually 12ft from bottom to top?

crest to tough
The site has descriptions. Read through it.
The measurements are average in a short period of time. If its 3' seas there is likely to be a 4' or 5' sneak in every now and then. But one 5' in the bunch doesn't make it 5' seas.

That is why some people describe them as 3s and 5s.

Nice link. How do I physically measure a wave? I mean if I want to say i was in 4-5's what would be needed for the OSO gods to believe me?. Should I just hang over the swim platform with a tape measure and have somebody take a pic? Or maybe rig up a floaty with a pole?? Or should I just assume that the waves crashing over my bow are 4ft tall:D

:D:D:D

Thanks Jim