How Big Is This Wave?

[sinistapenguin]

I thought I'd start a little game.

Basically this should highlight some international differences and some differences between beginners & more advanced people.

How big is this wave?

http://brucebutlerphoto.com/your.picture2/California_Beaches/Charlie_Fields_Surf_Pics_7-22-01/Count%20Line%20Wave.jpg

[wiiiiilllll]

big enough to drown an ant

[wiiiiilllll]

6ft?

[libby]

Smaller than 6ft for sure. Too big for me

[fierywelshdragon]

4ft ? Wish i was there instead of in work!

[little waves]

head high (i like to measure in body parts)

[drowningbitbybit]

From this perspective, chest to head high.

From the paddling hard in front of it perspective, double treble overhead

[DayWalker*]

If you're Cass Collier - "WTF! You call that a wave?"
If you're me - "Hmmm.... I feel lucky... but she don't feel me"

[sinistapenguin]

See this is interesting!

I would put that wave at around 6ft, which is about head-high in my book.

[k mac]

id say shoulder high .... or in feet 4 and a bit the dude on the waves most probably crouching

[Brent]

I'd go with a nice workable 3 foot. Us Kiwi's are used to being modest in all things. For example we call 9 inches only about 6 inches here....

[k mac]

and 4 inches 2 ?

[tomcat360]

im sayin like 4-5ish. whats your answer sinsta?

[k mac]

must say my last post came out alil wrong

[libby]

Ha ha i did wonder K mac....

[k mac]

yeah was trying to be a smart arse ...just doesnt work

[TokyotheKid]

meh it looks over head, but that guy could be short? i doubt it, but yeah

[deathfrog]

chest or shoulder

[Broosta]

That looks like a nice solid 3ft .

[WaveJunkie]

The wave is over the top of the surfer's head. He's on the board, and the board is a ways up on the face of the wave.

If surfers measure wave height by the same parameters as mariners . . . NOAA . . . It's the height from the flat water (in front of the wave here) to the crest of the wave.

Let's say the guy is 6' -- give or take. And that he's in a crouch, more or less. Not much of a crouch, because you can see his front leg is pretty straight, as is his body. He's pretty upright on the board. So -- in round numbers, and erring on the short side, 5' for the surfer.

He's got wave above his head -- a foot, give or take.

And wave under the board -- twice as much as the wave over his head, at least -- two feet, but I'm betting more.

So, I'm going to say 8' on the conservative side, but more like 9' and then some.

Around here, when people are on a wave, They ride just below the crest, and they stand way above the wave -- Oregon Coast and they run 3' on a good day, maybe 5' . . .