Magic Seaweed does it again

Thu Feb 03, 2011 10:46 am

i know we've already been over this but given the huge wave forcast i was still expecting a good surf up but apparently not

its quite a failing on their part i think, still a rough old day though

i dont know why i get so excited about this :?:
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Re: Magic Seaweed does it again

Thu Feb 03, 2011 10:48 am

also here are the whiterocks for good measure
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Re: Magic Seaweed does it again

Thu Feb 03, 2011 11:18 am

Just some info on Swells which don't neccessarily result in high waves but more prolonged surging waves formations...

Swells are wind waves, often born of storms, that propagate away from the point where they originated. Wave height is a measurement of a wave from its trough to its crest.

Characteristics of Swells
Swells generally have longer periods and less chop (flatter crests) than other wind waves.

Wave Properties

Waves are measured by their height, wavelength and period as indicated in the chart above ;). The height of a wave is the measurement from trough to crest. The wavelength measures the distance between two adjacent wave crests or two adjacent wave troughs. The period is the time it takes for two wave crests (or wave troughs) to pass a given spot.

Significant Wave Height Measurement

Sensors record the height of waves. Wave height is calculated from the average height of the largest third of waves over a 30-minute period.
Highest Wave
While the significant wave height is an average, the highest single wave over a given time usually measures almost twice the significant wave height.

Wave Sets

Swells arriving at the same time from different points may have similar periods. When the crests of one swell coincide with the crests of another swell, this produces a higher wave height (this is known as constructive interference). Sets of smaller waves usually follow sets of larger waves, as the difference in period of the two swells shifts the crest height of one swell to the trough of the other swell (this is called destructive interference).

Re: Magic Seaweed does it again

Thu Feb 03, 2011 11:32 am

some great info there conor and remember to take into account air pressure and wind strenght and direction in relation to swell direction :wink: . but i think the biggest factor to consider with forecasts is the fact that they are just that,,, a forecast. it would'nt be the first time we arrived at portrush to fish ramore head to discover our platform getting battered with seriously hairy waves :shock: :shock: . but yet the forecast from a few different sites was telling us it was that there was only supposed to be a slight swell and 3mph winds... yet it would have blown the bloody head off you :roll: :roll: . same goes for weekend boat trips. a few times last summer you would ring the skipper on a friday night only to be told it was too rough to head out. yet 16 hours later the sea was like a pond :evil: iv'e came to the decision to check a few sites and try to gain an average from what they all say, rather than take one site's forecast as gospel :wink:

Re: Magic Seaweed does it again

Thu Feb 03, 2011 12:05 pm

Al and Jordan wrote:iv'e came to the decision to check a few sites and try to gain an average from what they all say, rather than take one site's forecast as gospel :wink:


i would be the same as yourself and check a few then take an average
then i woudl check chasers surfcam,
http://chaserssurftours.com/?page_id=569
to see for myself, its updated every 15 minutes or so and though you cant see ramore head it can give you a rough idea

Re: Magic Seaweed does it again

Thu Feb 03, 2011 12:07 pm

cheers man. i'll add that one to my favourites. can't hurt to have too many sites to have a look at for planning a trip :P

Re: Magic Seaweed does it again

Thu Feb 03, 2011 1:10 pm

spoke to a few surfers who use majic seaweed, its about putting all info together to get more accurate outcome.

you could try ring troggs or woodies the surf shops in the port they'll give the surf conditions- those guys go out and look to see how the surf is. thats how i used to do it.

dave

Re: Magic Seaweed does it again

Thu Feb 03, 2011 11:26 pm

Hi

I was out Monday night / Tuesday morning at Ballycastle and the waves were surging. Some of the biggest must have been 10 to 12 feet high. Pans rocks were being completely covered. Didn't even get so much as a bite tho.



Fedstar.

Re: Magic Seaweed does it again

Fri Feb 04, 2011 9:11 am

hi fedstar. welcome to the site :) . unlucky with the blank man. that beach fishes 10 times better after dark at this time of the year man. don't give up just yet.

Re: Magic Seaweed does it again

Fri Feb 04, 2011 2:23 pm

hi al and jorden,thanks for the welcome. i would normally fish at night,been fishing over thirty years, so no fish no problem . fedstar