We have added a forecast for SSE facing beaches in South Brunswick area of Southern NC. http://www.swellinfo.com/surf-forecast/holden-beach-north-carolina-sse.html This will fall under the Holden Beach forecast page. Click on the SSE facing forecast on the top of the detailed surf forecast. This forecast is centered around Ocean Isle. It would prob be more appropriate to call the forecast area South Brunswick, but were going to keep it the same, since Holden Beach has been up there for a while. But, if you are interested in the Ocean Isle forecast page, you will want to look at the SSE forecast. There wont be a tremendous difference, but the Ocean Isle area is a little more exposed to the Easterly swells, and more offshore with a more westerly wind.
frying pan shoals micah, bertha forecasts for SNC have been spot on with the exception of S. Brunswick beaches. just wanted to let you know. forecasts have been showing waist/chest but we haven't had it. Frying Pan Shoals robs the S. Bruns. beaches of swell if the angle is too shallow (ie. 0-@145 degrees). I'm guessing there, I don't really know to be exact. I've noticed the same thing on several similar swells. Again, I just wanted to make a point of letting you know hoping it might help w/ more accurate forecasts. Thanks skimask
thanks for the feedback - much appreciated. This swell was coming in at approximately 130 degrees. Do you think all swells at this angle are blocked here or just the long period swells? I can make some adjustments... the more info the better.
I know the shoals knock down some of the swell, but if you found the right spot this past weekend there were some nice waist-stomache+sets. surfed the west end of OIB
looking on a satellite map, it makes sense that ocean isle would be less blocked from the shoals on the 300 degeree swell, then holden area. My main curiosity is if this is with just longer period swells or if this is also the case with shorter period swells as well.
thanks micah, thanks for the reply. to answer your question; I don't really know how period affects us with regard to the shoals. It just seems that the more ESE swell has trouble reaching us regardless of period. Also, I should mention that I'm on Oak Island and I think this may hold true more for Oak Island and Holden Beach. I don't doubt what J-Dog says @ the west end of Ocean Isle; I've seen it where the east end of Oak Isand is totally flat while the west end can have 3-4ft surf. I just wanted to point out the observation that the forecast can be somewhat optimistic for us on these swells. thanks again, skimask
ah, your in oak island. You are going to be more blocked there from the E/ESE swells due to the smith island to the east blocking you. There will be more exposure as you head west. I don't like the idea of making a forecast for every town, so my best advice is to use your local knowledge to learn how different swells will effect your local breaks. I will look into making a SSW beach facing direction forecast for the area. Thanks for sharing your observations, these are very helpful to make the forecasts as best as we can.
