Tides
In Old Man’s Surf Report (Old Man’s) see how tides are forecasted for 6 days. As you noticed checking out Old Man’s, every break has its own algorithm showing different conditions including swell size. Old Man’s configures every local break as different because of the algorithmic factors there including the measurement of tides. Learning how tides affect your surf break and what tides and conditions work best during different swells (size, angle, period, ) is easy to find on the Old Man’s app. To maximize quality surf, one major factor is to understand your breaks ideal tide conditions. With Old Man’s it is fast and easy to do.
On the main screen scroll down near the bottom right-above water temperature.
You will notice that tides are measured four times a day, with the top number show the time of day and the number below that is the actual size of that tide. you will also see a bar graph with one bar marked in yellow. This represents the current time and graphical description of the tide level.
Tap on the small circle and view another way to see the tides. Notice tides in the upper left-hand-corner and move the slider at the bottom to see the tides measurement rise or fall.
More About Tides:
Every surf location has a preferred tide because of the topography of the bottom or bathymetry at your break. Some surf breaks work better when there is a mid-tide. Meaning, the tide is going up (low going high or the tide is filling in) which could push more swell into the lineup. Oppositely, your surf break may work better going down (high to low or the tide is going out. Still, some breaks work better at high or low tide. The bathymetry is part of that factor. Too high of a tide for most spots will swamp-out the surf and if the swell is minor or flat it may not even break. While a low tide could close-out the wave too fast.