The seven wave law

Gordon

I'm not a surfer so this is a question for you.

My father used to tell me that big waves come in sevens. Therefore, if you see a big wave you can wait for the seventh next wave and it will also be a large one.

Do surfers actually see this in reality or is it a myth?

Jak

Pretty much a myth.

On a given day you might notice some pattern in the sets coming in, but there is certainly no "rule" I have ever heard of that applies.

On a related note though, longer swell periods tend to lead to better wave formation so perhaps it is tied up with that in some way or another.

JAK

68 lost souls

well for some reaason whenever I surf Rossnoulagh I seem to find that there is usually 3 or 4 wave series and I always go for the second. That's just me. Every beach and everyday is different.

Gone West

Jak wrote:

Pretty much a myth.

On a given day you might notice some pattern in the sets coming in, but there is certainly no "rule" I have ever heard of that applies.

On a related note though, longer swell periods tend to lead to better wave formation so perhaps it is tied up with that in some way or another.

JAK

Yep, its secondary school physics, really.


Bigger delay between waves(longer period), equates to better waves

piraka

FuzzyLogic wrote:

Yep, its secondary school physics, really.


Bigger delay between waves(longer period), equates to better waves

Are physicists better surfers?

Gone West

I wont delude myself and pretend so

piraka

Considering how technical it is in determining....weather patterns....wave structure... Bugger the chemistry course. I'll think I will do physics. If I can't stand on the board at least I'll know where the best waves are located:D