Contents
Introduction
ItsGoingOff supplies accurate 5-day surf predictions to your mobile
phone via text messaging. The forecasting system was developed by an
experienced oceanographer and surfer, using the latest computer models,
satellite data, wave buoy information, as well as local surfing
knowledge. The 5-day forecast is updated at about 2am, daily.
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Surf forecasts are available for all the locations shown on the map.
It is important to note that our wave height predictions relate to a
stretch of coastline and not a particular break, enabling the user to
apply his or her local knowledge to work out which break will work best.
The particular combination of wave height, swell direction, wind
direction and tide will determine which break in the area will be
working - see our guidelines.
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How to Obtain a 5-day Forecast
ItsGoingOff members can request forecasts at any time (if they have
enough credits) by texting "4CAST" followed by a space, followed by the
first five letters of the one of the locations on the map (eg. "4CAST
NCORN" for North Cornwall) to (+44) 07950 080100. To find out more about messages on
demand, click here.
Alternatively, you can set up the system to send you scheduled
messages. To find out more about scheduling messages, please click
here.
Wave Height Scale & Accuracy
We are proud of the accuracy of our forecasts, and to prove it, we
publish the wave height scale we use, as well as our accuracy.
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ItsGoingOff use the surfing wave height scale illustrated here. This
scale is often called 'back of the wave' and relates most closely to the
scale used by experienced surfers around the world.
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This plot shows the accuracy of ItsGoingOff 5-day forecasts. The 5th day
line represents a forecast that was made 5 days before the recorded
data. As you can see, the 5th day forecast is less accurate than the 1st
day forecast, as you would expect.
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How to Understand Your Forecast
Your forecast will contain information on:
Wave Height (in feet) - as defined by the surfing wave height scale
Wave Direction - the direction in which the waves are coming from
Wave Period - the time, in seconds, between wave crests
Wind Strength - using the Beaufort Scale (ie. Force numbers)
Wind Direction - the direction in which the wind is blowing from
An example forecast for North Cornwall,
as it will appear on your mobile.
The standard text message can only be 160 characters long on most
mobiles, so to fit in all five days of information, we have had to use
abbreviations. All ItsGoingOff forecasts are given in the format:
4CAST NAME date Day1: wave height, swell direction, wave period; wind
strength, wind direction Day2: wave height, etc. for days1 to 5.
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