Customer Reviews

The WetSand WaveCast Guide to Surf Forecasting: A Simple Approach to Planning the Perfect Sessions

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I was always curious as to how to make surf forecasts, and with this book it was simple. The author goes into enough detail so that you know the variables involved, but doesn't get into boring details that can seem overwhelming. Instead, there are some simple calculations and explanations that make it easy for anyone to learn how to create their own surf forecasts, and learn how to estimate wind among other things. I found the book easy to read, informative, and well structured.

I've been reading the WetSand WaveCast reports for years, back when Nathan Cool first started WaveCast. I knew some of the basics of forecasting, but never realized it could be done so easily. This book shows how forecasting surf for any location can be done with some simple calculations and models you can get for free on the web. I'd give this book ten toes over the nose. Definitely worth every penny.

This is a simple to read book that has enough information to get the job done. Very quick to go through and create surf forecasts using free data, such as models that you can access on the web. Formulas are simplified, and accurate enough to gauge incoming swells, size, arrival times, etc. Graphics are a bit grainy, and URLs are a bit outdated (book was published in 2004). Overall though, a good tool for the price.

This book is a mix of pseudo-science with some heavy handed environmental-green leanings. It spends a lot of time referencing old and out-of-date government websites and barely provides a realistic view of the actual steps that you need to follow to create a useful and accurate surf forecast.

A lot of BS is spouts may have been somewhat tolerable if it had come wrapped in a better package. It is rather sloppily put together, the graphs and charts are basically photocopied from internet printouts.

If you spend a few minutes poking around any surf forecasting website you can get more relevant, accurate, and up-to-date information about how to surf forecast for free. Don't waste your money on this book.