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Fifty Things I Wish I Knew BEFORE I Started Surfing! #12- Surf Apps- Wind

One of the most important things to know before surfing is the wind direction and speed. The wind can make or break your surfing session, depending on how it affects the waves. The wind can either be offshore, onshore, or cross-shore. "Offshore" wind is when it blows from the land to the ocean, creating clean and hollow waves that are perfect for surfing. "Onshore" wind is when it blows from the ocean to the land, creating choppy and messy waves that are hard to surf. The cross-shore wind is when it blows parallel to the shore, creating side waves that are not ideal for surfing.


The best way to check the wind is to use a surf and weather app showing your location's wind direction and speed. You can also look at the wave forecast and see how the wind affects the wave height, period, and direction. Some of the most popular surf and weather apps are Surfline, Windy, and The Weather Channel.


Here is an example of how to use a surf and weather app to check the wind: This screenshot shows that the wind is blowing cross-shore from the left, or West, at 9 knots. This means the waves will be bad for surfing, breaking sideways, and losing power. You can also see that the wave height is 3-4 feet and "Poor," and the wave direction is south-southwest. These are not very favorable conditions for surfing, when you're Intermediate or an Expert, but as a beginner, we're not too concerned about the shape of the waves. We need to be more concerned about Tide levels and Wave Height. More specifically, we're looking for a +2 ft. tide and 2-4 feet in height.


If you want to see a nice day, look for a day when the wind is blowing "offshore'" or from land, instead of from the ocean and at a low speed. This means the waves are smooth and powerful, breaking towards the shore and holding their shape. You also want to look for a medium wave height, a long wave period, and a favorable wave direction. These are the ideal conditions for surfing.

Another term that surfers use to describe good conditions is "glassy" or "glass off." This is when the wind stops blowing, and the ocean becomes calm and smooth like glass. This usually happens in the late summer before sunset or early morning before sunrise.


These are magical moments for surfing, as you can enjoy the waves without any interference from the wind. Remember that the wind can change quickly, so always check the forecast before you head out.



















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