How do you know when there are waves on the Gulf?

Monday February 21st, 2022 Wave WX:

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Is it blowing 15-20 yet? Embarrassing photo. Thanksgiving Day 1984. Ocean Avenue twin fin, 4mm dive beaver tail wetsuit looking for waves in IRB, what a kook…


Sunday Surf Story 7am: Growing up in Seminole, I was 14 when I really started surfing every cold front, that was 1984. There was this dude (can’t remember his name for the life of me) -he gave me a Plastic Fantastic single fin with this awesome universe airbrushed on the bottom, it was tough to ride like a Gerry Lopez Pipeline board(it did have a lightning bolt on the deck). I needed a board I could learn on so he loaned me a Jeff Klugal shaped Ocean Avenue twin fin which was an awesome board and perfect for me. We kind of discovered surfing the gulf by just going to the beach when it was super stormy. All the tourists wanted the beach to be all calm, warm and sunny. We only cared when it was rough and choppy and had waves so it would not be boring! Anyways, I was just starting to surf and I asked this guy who gave me 2 boards how he knew when the waves were up? This was a huge question like “what is the meaning of life?” I needed to know this answer in order to be happy (This is when my obsession with the weather got even deeper). How do you know when the gulf has waves? He said very simply ‘the wind has to blow from a westerly direction(i.e. SW, W, NW) at 15-20 and a few hours later there will be waves’. In this day of wave models, this statement is a super simplification but I’ve always remembered it and there’s still some truth to that equation. Which brings us to yesterday’s front. It was forecast to come in at 10-15mph and came in at 15-20 so that’s why there were waves yesterday afternoon. The timing of the front was good. Its still a downhill February despite the high pressure. No regrets but I wish last Wednesday I had said ‘by 4pm Saturday SVJ is going to have some waist high bowls and there will be waves. It looked fun! Stoked for you guys, props if you got some waves yesterday! Just felt like telling that story this am…

Saturday 2/19 WFL Wave WX Update 6am: Keep an eye on the buoy and cams this afternoon and at least conservatively- better than 50/50 chance it gets rideable after 1pm, maybe better till dark at least for a log. It’s the best chance we got to get wet. Best cold front spots could have a knee to thigh high wave by later this afternoon take a big floaty board and carve out the last couple hours before dark. I hope you find something to ride. I’ll update in the afternoon. Reason for optimism? West Tampa has trended up to 3.6 at 6 from the west at dawn and wave models show a pretty solid swath of 4ft seas approaching the Coast from the WNW this afternoon. So the forecast looks slightly better today…
Best Guess Next WFL Surf: Late today, small waves.
Best Guess Surf Window: NA.

NW PR 2022? The surf has been good the last few days in PR…

Friday Waves in PR

Avid GC surf Austin Bleiweiss from Naples ripping Marias yesterday on a Stu Sharpe T and C fish, so sick…

NW PR Updater: It’s getting windy and there are a lot of people here. The locals are fighting the governor and anyone else who tries to develop the coastline. It’s the same PR that it was 10 or 20yrs ago just a little harder to find…. Going out to dinner? Prices are expensive but eating in is not. Finding uncrowded waves? Stay away from Marias. Off time? Indy early from 6-8. Domes? the Gutter Left down by the lighthouse. Wildo? Mid day same with Jobos and Surfers mid afternoon is the call. Too windy for Aguada but worth a check if the wind drops…. Try other spots like Shacks, Ruins, etc. PR is still awesome this time of year. WX? Cool 80/80 with a breeze early is chilly. C’mon down…

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20 thoughts on “How do you know when there are waves on the Gulf?”

  2. Fuggin

    Staying optimistic here with the boards in the truck but looking at the buoys I’m hoping this one is just flying below the radar in that southern/mid gulf blind spot. Lots of ENE in the upper Gulf currently and there was a little SW flow last night but it poofed this am. Gonna check it in a bit and see if there’s any movement.

  3. Fuggin

    There is a 1ft to occasionally fun looking 2ft log line that almost has me stoked enough to suit up. Maybe a lil more time?

  5. Fuggin

    Back on the beach and it looks to have picked up a bit with a fun lb wave hitting some sandbars. 42097 showing a lil action from the ssw and I’m suited up because I have 2 hours before I have to leave for school carline ?

  8. Wendy

    I’m really sorry for your loss. I always appreciate your report whether it’s shortened or detailed. Sending positive thoughts to you and your family.

  9. RUSS-D

    My buddy Luke posted this on FB. I know there are quite a few that surf Venice so maybe we can find the owner of the duffle bag?
    “Surfers duffle bag with gear inside found at s Venice jetty yesterday feb4 22 a lady found a bag and took it to the food stand jetty jacks if u know someone that lost their bag at s jetty on Friday feb4 they have it at the stand”

  11. Fuggin

    Wow Kelly ? for sure reiterating he is the GOAT. One of the announcers mentioned him being the greatest athlete(not just surfer) of all time, hard to argue against that considering the number of championships and still being competitive at his age. Meanwhile, back here in WFL reality, I had so much fun on the heaviest lil 2-3footers today around 4-6pm.

  12. RUSS-D

    Ke11y was on ?? the entire contest. That buzzer-beater ride with 4 seconds left on the clock, that backdoor barrel sneak out the doggy-door wave, and the mind games and surfing in the finals was LEGENDARY and just proves he is an ?freak. ??

  14. Rob

    Micah – England and the North Atlantic are getting blasted by a super strong system right now. I’m wondering if that’s the same swell producer for you guys. Looks fun.

    1. admin Post author

      the waves have been really good the last 3 days

      hope you guys got some surf tonight …looked fun

  15. DW

    I liked your IRB story MW! I grew up in Tampa, started surfing in earnest at 14 in early 70’s, and learned how in Indian Sh., so some similarities 🙂
    Been living in Seminole the past 22 years and, still try to surf most the swells we get with occasional trips to EC and panhandle to visit my kids and surf better waves. Enjoy this last morning of cool weather, I fear the heat descends for good starting this week. Pray I’m wrong and we have a cool spring.
    PS, I looked at it at 5pm in IS yesterday and couldn’t justify a paddle out or travel to SB or SK.

    1. admin Post author

      awesome DW thanks for that and also thanks for the report from Indian Shore yesterday. what board did you make the most progress on back in the day?

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