On this page you will find - Wave scale & Understanding the size / Surf Condition Terminology Wave Scale & Understanding The Size ![]() Wave height is a constantly debated question So we have made the simple graphic to the left to show our readers how we determine this through out the Surfing In Japan Website. Note* Swell height - is a deep water measurement and very different to the breaking wave height Wave heights - Assuming you are looking from the beach at a surfer riding a wave and he is crouching at the knees When surf reaches 8ft plus only experienced surfers should paddle out for many many reasons. If you do not fall in to this category we advise to watch from the safety of the beach. ![]() ![]() ![]() Surf Condition Terminology Team Surfing In Japan for years have had like many surfers their own type of Language when it comes to talking about the conditions on any particular day or during a certain session. Below are just some of those. Remember the day for years to come must be clean and powerful and really well shaped, small is ok but small and barrelling / perfect shape and peeling (we should be clear and call the session, ie morning, as it is almost never epic all day) ![]() (are the same or so close they should be used interchangeably), amazing session remembered for the year, (again usually only a morning or afternoon) ![]() Rip-able / Slash & Burn / Fun Waves and a session you ride non stop more waves than you can count, one turn punt, quick down the line slash, bottom turn pull in.... ![]() Outta Control / Blowing a Hoolly To big to go out in with too many waves breaking / Huge surf with strong winds blowing on shore ![]() White Horses Big surf with strong off shores blowing white spray off the back of the wave ![]() Wind Swell Waves Weak and junky with normally not so much power to them ![]() Long Period Clean & Small Longboard Heaven ![]() |