What is Surfline used for?
Surfing relies heavily on understanding and anticipating ocean conditions. With the Surfline app, surfers can access detailed forecasts that predict wave height, wind direction, swell period, and tide times. Using Computer Vision (a form of AI*), we analyse and break down what our Smart Cams are seeing, and thus generate live insights from the surf zone: wave height, wave frequency, ridden vs unridden waves, number of surfers in the lineup, and more.
How does Surfline predict waves?
In 2001, Surfline founder Sean Collins and the Surfline team created LOLA, a first-of-its-kind swell model that combined satellite data with bathymetry (underwater mapping) and nearshore buoy data to produce a user-friendly surf forecast, updated every six hours. In March 2000, Surfline was acquired by surf website Swell.In 2017, Surfline acquired Magicseaweed, a United Kingdom-based company founded in 2002 and focused on forecasting surf conditions in more than 200 countries.By selling digital ads and charging premium membership fees, Surfline turned into a profitable surf business and kept expanding its influence. Today, Surfline also provides forecast data to fishermen, offshore cruisers, recreational sailors, and other ocean-goers.
Do people surf 100 foot waves?
Sebastian Steudtner, the German surfer many, including blue-collar podcaster Joe Rogan, believed to be the first to ride a 100-foot wave, still holds the record for his 86-footer at Nazaré. But it took the WSL a year and a half to call it. Per their press release: “German big wave surfer Sebastian Steudtner has surfed the possibly biggest wave ever measured at 28. Nazaré, Portugal.Sebastian Steudtner, 93. Praia do Norte, Nazaré, Portugal. The blue slopes of Nazaré. Sebastian Steudtner. Sebastian Steudtner of Germany surfed an almost 100-foot wave, breaking his own record in the process.But Sebastian Steudtner is no mere mortal. He is a big wave surfer and the current world record holder. Here in Nazaré, the small coastal town in Portugal, he recently beat his own record by nearly two meters. The Nazaré big wave that he conquered in April 2024 is reported to have been 28.
Can you surf a 2 ft wave?
Generally speaking the perfect size for beginners is 1 to 2ft. For intermediates: 2-4ft waves are best as it gives you more face of the wave to progress your skills on. You should keep an eye on the ‘Swell Period’, because it’s a lot more indicative of the actual wave size (see the next point). Swell (how big are the waves) 0. Above 1.Generally speaking the perfect size for beginners is 1 to 2ft. For intermediates: 2-4ft waves are best as it gives you more face of the wave to progress your skills on. You should keep an eye on the ‘Swell Period’, because it’s a lot more indicative of the actual wave size (see the next point).