How To Find Killer Waves

People who surf have their own methods on how to find killer waves. Some of it is instinct. It’s like they can smell them rolling across the big blue towards their coastal communities. But there is indeed a method to the madness. A combination of local sea knowledge combined with a network of peers and technology has turned us all into surf forecasters all on the lookout for the next killer swell.

To find killer waves, you will need:

• Surf reports
• Coastal friends
• Wave karma

1. Report fiends. Technology is a boon to our kind. We can track storms in New Zealand and watch them push huge storms towards our spots several weeks in advance. The weather chick on TV or the token paragraph dedicated to the surf report in the local news has nothing on these guys. If you are lucky enough to know a freak that only materializes when big swells hit, make friends. Smoke with him, eat with him and study his bookmarks. These guys are better than Surfline.
2. The coconut wireless. Unfortunately, many of us have jobs or other responsibilities like pets or children. This interferes with surfing, but such is life. If you surf though, you know there is always one guy or gal who is always there. If there are no waves, they chill on the beach. If it is raining, they are in their car staring at the sea. These people are your best connection to surfing if you have obligations that keep you away from the sea. They have nothing better to do so they will call you up if only to brag. Knowing a good pair of surfer eyes on the coast is better than any surf report.
3. Largesse from the gods. Those of us who surf a lot already know the surf report is more of a guide than law. To find killer waves, one must always keep their eyes on the shore. Most non-professional surfers get their biggest waves when they least expect them because they do not actually chase huge waves. It just happens. You are in the lineup and feel the water changing. The sets grow and grow and suddenly you realize you have to take the next wave or you may never get back to shore alive. That wave will change your life forever and make you realize surf reports are fallible and you should never turn your back on a wave.

Tips: Depending where you live, certain natural events like a full moon, super high tides or wind can bring surf even though nothing was predicted.