How we rate a session, 1 to 5
Every beach on Swellwick gets one number a day. It starts with the models: swell height, period and direction from offshore buoys, wind from the weather models, and the tide from the nearest gauge.
Then a forecaster looks at it. Models don't know that a sandbank shifted after last month's storm, or that a northerly ruins one point and cleans up the next. We adjust about one rating in five.
What the numbers mean
- 1: flat or blown out. Go for a swim between the flags.
- 3: fun. Worth the drive if you're keen.
- 5: rare. Call in sick (we didn't say that).
A fictional post from a fictional company.