SURF SPOT
Web site predicts, updates conditions
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
Need to plan your surf sessions a few days in advance?
North Shore or south shore?
When's the next swell?
A new Web site can help answer those questions for surfers.
www.highsurfwarning.com was created last week, and is self-described as "Hawai'i's newest, most innovative surf portal." The primary feature is live updates on surf conditions around the state.
"We cover all the major surf spots, including the Neighbor Islands," said Jamie DeMatoff, the founder of the site. "We have spotters and photographers at all the different locations providing us with updates."
According to DeMatoff, meteorologist George Mason is "the backbone" of the site. By tracking weather systems around the Pacific Ocean, Mason is able to predict surf conditions up to two weeks in advance.
"We are the only Web site with a 14-day outlook for south shores, and a 10-day outlook for north shores," DeMatoff said.
The site also features photographs and video of various surf spots, buoy readings, a satellite surf forecast map and a hurricane tracker.
"There's a huge demand for this stuff," DeMatoff said. "The surf industry is growing every day, and with people's busy lives, they can check our site and know what the surf is like where ever they want to go."
In conjunction with the Web site, call 637-7874 for daily updates on surf conditions.
Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.