As a surfer, knowing when waves are going to hit is important. Really important.
I remember when I first started surfing, I would just go to the beach whenever I could get a ride. Sometimes there would be waves, other times there weren’t. Eventually I figured out to check the surf forecast first, which greatly reduced the number of days I got skunked.
Now, some 15 years later, I’m much busier and have to make the most of small windows of free time. I can usually only free an hour or two to surf a day so it better count. After making sure there are going to be waves, I’ve got to check things like: swell direction to pick a break, tide to pick a time, wind conditions to see if its even going to work. (Let alone what the sandbars have been doing this season.) Then there are crowds, traffic, parking and all sorts of other things to take into account.
Basically, I’ve become more concerned with knowing more about the surf. The way it stands today, I would much rather go surf a perfect uncrowded 3-4 foot day than waste a day on the promise of 6ft surf that ends up being blown out and dragging down the coast.
This is where Solspot comes in. I’ve been stoked on their site lately.
I like knowing a lot about the surf, but I’m by no means an expert, yet. The “Forecasting Ninja” at Solspot on the other hand, is. Adam Wright has credentials to boot, having worked for companies like Transworld SURF, Surfline, Wavewatch, and FuelTV.
My favorite part about the site is the unique personal approach to forecasting. He takes screen shots, draws on them and explains what to look for. He’s like the Madden of surf forecasting. 
I’m sure that after a while, I’ll be able to spot things on my own, which will be a great tool to have for doing my own surf forecasts in the future, whether its for a surf trip in a remote location or just to see if I can pick up anything else that the other forecasts didn’t mention.
So, Solspot, thanks for doing what you’re doing. Keep up the good work.
Everyone else, check it out, its pretty cool and a fun way to learn a bit more about forecasting.
Source: Surfscience