What is a ground swell surf?
A groundswell, or ground swell, is a long-period group of waves created by a distant storm system over long distances, at least 2,000 miles away from the coast. The majority of groundswells are produced by mid-latitude depressions between 30 and 60 degrees and travel from west to east, swinging towards the Equator.
What does ground swell mean?
1 usually ground swell : a broad deep undulation of the ocean caused by an often distant gale or seismic disturbance. 2 : a rapid spontaneous growth (as of political opinion) a groundswell of support.
What is swell vs surf?
These pure wind waves without Swell produces choppy, poor quality waves. Swell is waves that has been generated by wind far out in the ocean and then traveled a long distance to reach the coastline. The further they travel the waves “bundle up” and creating longer distance between the waves, this means quality surf.
What are seas swell and surf?
Generally, “Swell” refers to open ocean waves, “Waves” are what people want to go stick their surfboard on. Seas can sit “on top” of a swell, and ruin a surfers day out. They are the localised chop, that given enough time and wind energy would ultimately turn into swells.
What is the difference between a ground swell and a wind swell?
A groundswell and a wind swell are both created by the wind blowing above the ocean. In a scientific standpoint, these are the same. A big difference between ground swells and wind swells is that waves from a ground swell can travel a big distances without losing any energy and wind swell don’t.
What causes a ground swell in the ocean?
Ground swell is created by large storm and weather systems or strong wind blowing over long distances of open ocean. Ground swells can travel over thousands of miles and can reach up to 1000 ft in depth. Ground swells typically produce long interval swell and large surf once they make landfall.
What causes a ground swell?
What is the difference between ground swell and wind swell?
What is a good swell for surfing?
Swell size The size of the wave, or swell height, is a measure in feet or meters. If the surf forecast says 1-3m (3-9ft), then it’s usually a good time to go surfing. 3m waves are not appropriate for beginners, but experienced surfers take on waves of incredible height.
What is the difference between sea height and swell height?
Seas (usually described by the term combined seas) refers to wind waves and swell working together. Waves and seas are described by the height from trough to crest; swell also is described by the direction it’s coming from.
How do swells work?
Swell is energy that has been transferred into the sea by wind. The longer and stronger the wind blows (like a hurricane) the more energy that is transferred and so larger the swell. This energy then propagates from where it is created out into the ocean, much like ripples in a pond.
Why are ground swells so good for surfing?
Ground swells are usually the best sources of waves for surfing. When strong and intense storms and wind affect the seas, they produce “wave trains” that make their way to the shores, where they lose energy. These long-distance winds produce the fetch. The fetch is the area in which the winds apply their forces.
Where does a ground swell usually come from?
A groundswell, or ground swell, is a long-period group of waves created by a distant storm system over long distances, at least 2,000 miles away from the coast. The majority of groundswells are produced by mid-latitude depressions between 30 and 60 degrees and travel from west to east, swinging towards the Equator.
What does the swell period mean for surfing?
Swell Period. Swell period is literally the time it takes for successive waves to pass the same point in seconds. Practically the peak period of a swell gives a great idea of how powerful the swell is and how likely it is to create good waves for surfing.
What are the different types of surf swells?
When swell travels great distances or combines with other swells, it can increase in size and interval. There are two types of swell that cause surf, groundswell, and wind swell. GROUND SWELL Ground swell Groundswell is the type of swell surfers hope and pray for; it often creates large and powerful surf.
