7 months ago
Co Creator: 
1314
15
Posted On: March 17th 2026, 11:10 pm
Tagged Users:
2 days can both read 3-4ft on @surfline and feel completely different.
The number most people scroll past is the swell period.
📉Short period is 6-9 seconds aka local windswell, fast and punchy, waves that stand up and die quick. You need to be on it early and fit your turns into a tight window.
📈Long period is 12-18 seconds aka that swell traveled a long way, it carries real energy, the sets break further outside and the waves have actual lines on them.
At El Porto this combination turns the place into proper peaky FUN surf 🤩🌊💨.
The simple rule: short period is chaotic and short, long period is organized with more power and usually some current to manage.
For more of this kind of stuff, we break it down weekly inside the LA Surf Skool.
Link in bio to join.
The number most people scroll past is the swell period.
📉Short period is 6-9 seconds aka local windswell, fast and punchy, waves that stand up and die quick. You need to be on it early and fit your turns into a tight window.
📈Long period is 12-18 seconds aka that swell traveled a long way, it carries real energy, the sets break further outside and the waves have actual lines on them.
At El Porto this combination turns the place into proper peaky FUN surf 🤩🌊💨.
The simple rule: short period is chaotic and short, long period is organized with more power and usually some current to manage.
For more of this kind of stuff, we break it down weekly inside the LA Surf Skool.
Link in bio to join.
Comments (15)
7 months agobjornhazelquist
I don’t think people should be allowed to paddle out at spots with advanced surfers if they don’t know this difference. Also understanding this difference in swell period eliminates the need for webcams. Food for thought.
More posts
