Our forecasting engine
Meet BODI. He's kind of a big deal.
BODI is the surf forecaster behind every Surfing Tomorrow break page. He's part oceanographer, part data nerd, and all surfer. His one job: tell you where to surf and exactly when. Duuude.
"I read buoys for breakfast, bro. 🤙"
What BODI stands for
B
Break
Every break is its own animal. BODI knows which way each spot faces, which swells it loves, which ones it ignores, and whether it wants low or high tide.
O
Ocean
He splits the ocean into separate swells: long-period groundswell, mid-period swell and choppy wind swell, each with its own size, period and direction.
D
Data
Only real public data. Scripps nearshore wave models, NOAA buoys, NOAA tide stations and NOAA wind models. No made-up numbers, bro.
I
Intelligence
He turns all of it into one simple call: how big, how good, and exactly when to paddle out. Then he checks his own homework and gets sharper.
How BODI calls the surf
Eight steps, six times a day, for every break. No sleep. Just stoke.
Step 1
Checks the swell right outside your break
BODI grabs the Scripps Institution of Oceanography nearshore forecast for the spot closest to each break, about 30 feet deep. It already knows when the Channel Islands block a swell, when a canyon like Black's pumps it up, and when a headland hides it.
Step 2
Grows the waves the right way
Long-period groundswell stands up way taller than choppy wind swell of the same size. BODI grows each swell by its period, so a 14-second pulse gets the respect it deserves.
Step 3
Adds local flavor
Some spots punch above their weight. The Wedge wedges, reefs like Windansea stand up, and Doheny hides behind the point. Each break gets its own small size adjustment.
Step 4
Reads the wind
Glassy and offshore is the dream. BODI uses NOAA's sharpest short-range wind model for the next day or two, then NOAA's global model after that.
Step 5
Watches the tide
Every break has a favorite tide. BODI scores each hour on whether the tide is in the sweet spot.
Step 6
Scores every hour, 0 to 100
Size, wind and tide roll into an hourly score. That's how you get the best 2-hour session and the Should I Surf Tomorrow card.
Step 7
Checks his own homework
BODI saves what he predicted a day ahead, then compares it with what actually showed up. Over time he nudges each break's numbers toward reality.
Step 8
Tells you how sure he is
If every data source is fresh, confidence is High. If a buoy goes quiet, he says so and switches to the next best source.
Where his data comes from
- Scripps CDIP nearshore models: swell right outside each break
- NOAA buoys: live swell readings and water temperature
- NOAA tide stations: high and low tide times
- NOAA wind models: short-range and global wind
- Open-Meteo: backup offshore forecast
What BODI won't do
- Make up numbers. If the data's missing, he tells you.
- Pretend a 1 ft day is Good. Surf under 3 ft tops out at Fair.
- Replace your eyes. Always check the lineup and talk to the lifeguards.
BODI's forecasts are estimates, not guarantees. Surf at your own risk.
Got questions? Ask BODI.
Tap his face in the corner of any page and ask where it's firing tomorrow. He'll give you the scoop, bro.
Find your break