Important Notes
- There are 7 ratings, but only 5 bars; this is because Good & Epic ratings are so rare, and need to be manually applied by a human forecaster.
- For spots we don’t issue regular observations or have smart cams, our current condition ratings is a basic potential calculation is simply based on surf height and wind conditions. Without regular forecaster input, they will not account for tides or key spot dynamics, learning from manual corrections.
Surfline previously only rated surf quality where we had expert human forecasters making observations.
Our data science team uses 35 years and hundreds of thousands of Surfline observations to train a machine learning system to tell the difference between poor surf and good surf.
We deliver this information for every hour for every spot we forecast for. Surfline has 7 ratings from VERY POOR to EPIC.
We’ve updated how we show surf ratings, however the ratings themselves and how they’re calculated have not changed.
5-point bar scale
You’ll now see condition ratings on a 5-point bar, with the following assignments:
What about Good and Epic ratings?
These ratings still exist and will override a 5-bar slot of Fair to Good when conditions are Good or Epic. We’ve made this change because Good and Epic ratings can only be assigned by forecasters who have observed the conditions.
How are condition ratings generated?
Our forecast team regularly observes surf conditions at hundreds of spots around the world, taking into account more factors in their assessment than just the swell model.
Surf ratings update hourly based on our swell model, LOTUS, which takes into account surf height and wind conditions.
When conditions don’t match the swell model, our forecasters will update the condition ratings as part of their reports.
Our new labels show whether the condition rating is coming from our swell model, or from one of our forecasters.
How should I be using ratings?
Surf ratings are meant as guides—not guarantees—to help you focus attention on potentially optimal surfing conditions. Use our ratings along with your own insights to maximize your chances of finding the best waves possible for your preferences. Some suggestions from our team:
- Use ratings as a comparative tool: Use ratings to compare potential sessions throughout the day or the week. A higher rating within your typical surf spots often indicates a time or day to look into further.
- Combine ratings with local knowledge: There’s no substitute for local knowledge. Ratings and surf heights should be used as a starting point for determining where and when you’ll surf. Always consider your local knowledge of tides, banks, sandbars, and seasonal factors. Our spot guides are a great place to start, created with input from local experts.
- Dig deeper: In addition to our condition ratings and forecasts, we provide detailed information including swell direction, tide, wind data, wave energy, and more, to help you gain a more complete picture of what you can expect in the water.
- Learn what you like to surf: You might find that your favorite days at your homebreak are when the forecast says, “Fair” rather than, “Good” or “Epic.” There are a lot of factors other than the condition rating that reflect what a fun session looks like for your unique surf life, including your board selection, skill level, what kind/size of crowds surf your spot, and your wave preferences. Get out there and track what ratings reflect the conditions you enjoy surfing.
What else should I know?
- Ratings are relative to each spot’s potential. Ratings take into account regional and spot-specific nuances. A “Fair” rating at Pipeline, for example, will not look the same as a “Fair” rating at an average beachbreak.
- At most spots, our current version of model condition ratings uses surf height and wind conditions to estimate a rating. This means that ratings not provided by our forecasters can miss important factors, such as prior winds that have left residual chop on the surface, or a very high tide that slows conditions at tide-dependent spots.
- Our team is actively investing in improving our model data sources, including how ratings are generated and what goes into them.
I prefer the Classic colors. Can I have them back?
If you’d prefer to use the classic surf rating colors, you can switch to the classic view in your account settings.
Above: website (https://www.surfline.com/settings)
Below: app (Account > THEME > Surf Ratings)
How to report an issue with the forecast/rating?
Submit a request! Be sure to select "Forecasting Accuracy" under the Request Type so your message reaches the right place.
What do we need? The machine learns from a snapshot of conditions and a rating. Therefore, we can use your feedback in a similar way.
- We need to know the exact date/time you're checking the surf in order to ingest it. Without this, there is very little we can do.
- Some kind of supporting evidence will fast-track your feedback and help us use it reliably. Example: video, photo taken at spot, cam screenshot, Rewind clip, Sessions clip...
Ingestion of inaccurate information would be counterproductive, so bear with our support staff while they confirm all the necessary specifics before logging your feedback with the forecast engineers.
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