How high is a head high wave?
Using the Bascom Method, a surfer may measure a head-high wave as 5 or 6 feet tall. The Surfable Wave Face Method measures a wave's height from the peak of the wave to the trough, AKA the flats. Using the Surfable Wave Face Method, a surfer may calculate the height of a head height wave as 4 to 5 feet.
If the surf forecast says 1-3m (3-9ft), then it's usually a good time to go surfing. 3m waves are not appropriate for beginners, but experienced surfers take on waves of incredible height. Under 1 meter, waves are usually more suited to beginner surfers.
3′ = waist-belly high. 4′ = chest-shoulder high. 5′ = head high. 6′ = 1 foot overhead.
Thus, a "3-foot" wave is roughly six feet high (in actuality an Hm0 of ~1.8 m), i.e., head-high to a 6-foot (~180 cm) person; a "2-foot" wave is roughly four feet high (Hm0 of ~1.2 m), i.e., chest-high to such a person; and a "6- to 8-foot" wave would be 2 to approaching 3 times head-high to such a person (Hm0 of ~3.5 ...
As a start, you'd have to say that once we're getting into the 4-5 foot wave range, then that would be considered 'big' by most. But the size of the waves doesn't tell the whole story, and you may be able to handle swimming in bigger waves if other factors are in your favour.
Generally speaking the perfect size for beginners is 1 to 2ft. For intermediates: 2-4ft waves are best as it gives you more face of the wave to progress your skills on. You should keep an eye on the 'Swell Period', because it's a lot more indicative of the actual wave size (see the next point).
How is Wave Height measured? Wave height is the vertical distance between the crest (peak) and the trough of a wave.
Then, three half meters is about 60 inches or about head high. It looks like a five-foot wave, from the surfboard up to the lip of the wave."
As a general rule, if it's only 1ft, it's pretty difficult to surf on, unless you longboard or are a lightweight grom/ shredding machine!
As a general rule, if it's only 1ft, it's pretty difficult to surf on, unless you longboard or are a lightweight grom/ shredding machine!
How big is a 5 ft wave?
"So, two half meters is one meter, or about 3.28 feet - about waist high. Then, three half meters is about 60 inches or about head high. It looks like a five-foot wave, from the surfboard up to the lip of the wave."
A universal convention to measure wave height
Significant wave height is defined as the average wave height, from trough to crest, of the highest one-third of the waves.
Crest - the highest point in the wave. Trough - the lowest point in the wave.