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High Tech Surf-Phone Comes To Southern California:
"What if you could call a number any time of day and instantly get an up-to-the-minute report on surf conditions at not only one location, but dozens at once? And what if you could get an honest-to-goodness seventy-two hour forecast of expected swells? The forecast, made by weather guru Sean Collins, might be the most exciting feature of the new Surfline. The advantages of actually knowing when a swell can be expected and from what direction it will come need no explanation. Thanks to Surfline, a lot of Southern California surfers will be scoring better waves than they did in the past." SURFING Magazine -- Currents Section, Spring 1985
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Today, we might all have a good chuckle about those headlines back then, but the surf world was never the same after March 26th, 1985, when Surfline launched 976-SURF, the new "high tech" surf phone number in Southern California. A surfer could finally receive a reliable dawn patrol report and afternoon update of what the surf was like everywhere up and down the coast. And the value of an accurate, long-range surf forecast every evening was priceless. Especially considering surf forecasts simply didn't exist at the time and surfers fed off rumors running rampant through the coconut grapevine, or the generally more reliable surfboard sacrifice. The initial launch of Surfline's Southern California 976-SURF number gained a large audience of surfers throughout Southern California. The very first forecast on that March 26th (see below) was timed perfectly to provide a five-day notice of a solid overhead Southern Hemisphere swell for the following weekend that would also coincide with the beginning of Spring Break. Throw in a good northwest swell (that created bowly peaks at the beachbreaks), and epic conditions from a Santa Ana wind, and the stage was set. The forecast delivered...and surfers crawled out of the Dark Ages of not knowing anything about the surf. Surfline expanded and launched more phone numbers nationwide throughout the '80s and '90s, such as 900-SURFLINE, 800-SURFLINE, 900-2-GOSURF, the SURFLINE Calling Card, Verizon Wireless *SURF, and more. In the early '90s, the "Wavefax" was launched and became a required staple for surfers everywhere, as it was posted on the walls of practically every surf shop across the country and every surf company within the industry. Surfline.com was launched in 1995 with free surf report information, and hosted the first live surf cam at Huntington Beach in February 1996, followed by a streaming video surf cam at Pipeline later that year. Since 2000, Surfline has added many new surf cameras and has developed its own LOLA WWIII global swell model to provide millions of surfers worldwide with accurate surf reports and forecasts so they can plan their time around the waves. Surfline's transition from phones to the Internet and wireless has been so well-received that most surfers probably didn't realize that the original Surfline phone numbers still existed. Surprisingly, however, those same numbers have continued to receive thousands of calls each month, and most haven't been promoted in years. (A great case study that many people are simply creatures of habit and don't like change.) Whatever the case, we finally reached a point where we would rather focus all of our efforts on creating improved products for the new mediums. On the business side of things, Surfline's transition to the Internet and wireless was extremely difficult, and the company went through tough times in the '90s as phone revenue was cannibalized by the free information available on Surfline.com, The Wavefax, and elsewhere. (Ironically, it's well documented that many companies in the print and newspaper industries are experiencing the same difficult transition that Surfline experienced 10 years ago, and are struggling mightily to transition their businesses to the Internet and wireless.) What about 10 years from now -- in the year 2020 when we look back at the surf information available to us today? We'll probably be laughing at the primitivism of our swell models, online computers, and mobile phone services. What if you could call a number any time of day and instantly get an up-to-the-minute report on surf conditions at not only one location, but dozens at once?
Maybe we'll be sitting in the lineup using our GPS-enabled watches that access a real time satellite orbiting overhead that monitors ocean waves, confirming that a good set is on the way and will arrive at our exact position in the lineup in 2 minutes 13 seconds, and that the third wave of the set will be the biggest. So all we need to do is to snooker that wave hog on the longboard over there to go for the first or second wave of the set. You laugh? We'll see.... The rules may change, but one thing will always remain the same: Right place, right time. And whatever the medium, we'll still be there helping you to get into the best waves. And oh, you can have the 3rd wave of this set. No worries. I'll take the 4th one. (Hmmm...) See ya out there. -- Sean First original surf forecast recorded on Surfline's 976-SURF (55 cents per call) on March 26, 1985. And yes, the surf was epic over the weekend of March 30-31st, 1985. Where were you? Hi, this is Sean Collins and welcome to Surfline's Pacific Surf and Storm Forecast effective at 6 PM on Tuesday, March 26th, presented by Surfing Magazine, the Hot One! On Wednesday we're expecting larger surf but also along with wind, clouds, and rain, as a result of a strong cold front moving through Southern California in the morning. Look for a northwest wind swell with 5-7 foot faces in most areas, and sets up to 6-8 feet in the west facing areas. Unfortunately, tomorrow's conditions don't look good - due to the intense nature of the front. We anticipate south winds of 12-20 knots Wednesday morning, shifting to 18-25 knots out of the northwest in the afternoons on Wednesday and Thursday. The Wednesday morning call should be the South Bay, and possibly Salt Creek and La Jolla, where conditions will be cleaner with the south winds. Once the northwesterly winds kick up in the afternoon however, favorable conditions will be hard to find. On Thursday morning we expect better conditions with a left over 4-6 foot northwest wind swell and some larger sets in the west facing areas. On Friday the swell will continue to drop with 3-5 foot faces in most areas, but conditions will be cleaner with lighter winds as high pressure moves in over southern California. And finally, we've been monitoring a series of intense storms just east of New Zealand over the last week that will send us a new southwest swell by the weekend. Our sources in Kauai have already reported a definite increase with 4-6 foot faces on the south shore from this same swell today. By the weekend most spots in Southern California will have waves in the 4-6 foot range from the new southwest swell combining with the left over northwest wind swell. Most beachbreaks will have peaky bowls from the combination of swells. Conditions will also be clean with increasing Santa Ana offshore winds so the waves could be epic in many areas over the weekend. Beginning in April, Surfline's comprehensive surf reports covering Huntington to Ventura will be available during daylight hours... with the Pacific Surf and Storm forecast available after sundown. Surfline is presented to you by Surfing Magazine. Stay on top with the Hot One! MORE FORECAST SURFLINE HOME PAGE |
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Comments: (15) Add Your Comment
'98 02/23/2009 09:41 AM
Off topic but I want to thank you Sean and Mr. Starkweather. The first time I was introduced to your services was outside, Mr. Starkweather's, Marine Biology class. Since first seen those fax's, in the early 90's, I became enamored with surfing and the weather patterns necessary to score great waves. Stark, I was always curious why you posted those reports and expected me to be in class. Both of you have been great role models for our communities. Huge Thanks!
from huntington 02/22/2009 01:39 PM
if only cleveland had a real surf report, the NOAA sucks, they are never right.**hint hint**wink wink**
Hans Avemaria 02/21/2009 01:15 AM * PREMIUM MEMBER - Real Name
i agree with lauren- PLEASE bring back the surf phone!!!
Surfbako 02/20/2009 10:32 AM * PREMIUM MEMBER - Nickname
I remember driving to surf and not knowing what it was going to be like. Back then, we didn't care if it was epic or shitty, we just wanted to surf. 976-SURF changed everything. For the better, I don't know. I do know that I, like many others, am on Surfline daily. It is my homepage and the first thing I check when I wake up. No wonder it's so damn crowded in the water!
Ed Bergman 02/19/2009 12:18 PM * PREMIUM MEMBER - Real Name
Hey Guys and Ladies... You have been and always will be on the cutting edge of surf forecasting... loved ya back in the day, love ya today and looking forward to a great future with you all...
ed
alexander zgura 02/19/2009 04:31 AM * PREMIUM MEMBER - Real Name
I remember using the 976-surf for florida during the storm of the century when i was in middle school. must have raked up a hefty bill with that one, because mom was like what da? lol. now i am a premo subscriber. use surfline daily.
judy bourget MD 02/18/2009 10:17 PM * PREMIUM MEMBER - Real Name
hey, have you guys considered donating that "surfline call closet"--battery pack included-- to the Smithsonian? they would probably put it right next to Judy Garland's red ruby slippers..:P
lauren 02/18/2009 06:02 PM
I miss *SURF already, instead of getting out of bed to grab my laptop across the room (my room is freezing in the morning!) I could simply reach over and grab my phone. And entering the area code was great because you could use it when you traveled too! Everyone does not have an iPhone! Bring it back pleeeeeeeeaaaaassse!!!
Mike 02/18/2009 05:09 PM
When I moved to Florida I used to call that number from Florida because I was so home-sick for So Cal surf.
Evan 02/18/2009 04:08 PM
Wow. I didn't realize Surfline was around that long but now it makes sense. You guys are always the first with everything new in surfing. Let me know when that GPS Surf watch comes out. I want one NOW!
lance nemier 02/18/2009 12:23 PM * PREMIUM MEMBER - Real Name
I,for one, really miss the telephone reports and wish they would return. There were many times that I utilized the phone reports to formulate the plans the night before or make a run south or north when my home break did not pan out. PLEASE reconsider the decision to end the phone reports/forecast.
Art 02/18/2009 12:06 PM
My mom hated me calling the surf report, phone bill definitely increased. But had to be done, lived 30-45 minutes from the beach at that time.
gary cremona 02/18/2009 11:35 AM
oh dear, sorry to see an old friend go.i used that # so many times it ridiculous.i used to joke about having a t- shirt w/ my monthly surfline bill on it,30 to 50 bucks a month!! go figure.and thats for acouple of years too! finally got a computer(duh).WORTH EVERY FRICKIN PENNY!! i scored soooo many times thanks to that # her at home and abroad! thanks guys, mucho mahahlos,thanx hea
jim russi 02/18/2009 09:04 AM * PREMIUM MEMBER - Real Name
wow i must be getting old, i do remember that, and yes i did get out of bed and scored on that swell.... thanks sean!
PS i had a phone just like that one next to my bed.. now i have an iphone in my pocket with the surfline app. weird.
Ethan 02/18/2009 08:41 AM
Pretty cool, It should be free
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ABOUT SURFLINE'S COMMENTS: Surfline comments are intended to foster and continue a community discussion and/or debate on the topic brought up by the feature above. We encourage you to comment and express your opinion. Before commenting, you should know that Surfline Comments are moderated, which means that comments containing personal attacks, excessive profanity, or off-topic remarks may not be posted. Also, 'EDITOR'S PICKS' are comments that we feel capture points-of-view from all sides of the issue at hand, not necessarily the comments Surfline most agrees with. Thanks. --the editors
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