Sean Collins (surf forecaster)
Encyclopedia
Sean Collins is the founder of Surfline
and a noted figured in the areas of surfing
and surf forecasting
.
. Collins' early experiences sailing with his father instilled a passion for the ocean and meteorology.
Most of Collins' knowledge of meteorology was self-taught. In the early years of Collins' surf forecasting he would record weather reports and forecasts from the Southern Hemisphere, which he received via shortwave radio, he also studied charts and data from the National Weather Service library. By comparing these various data sources with his observations of the surf, Collins devised formulas for predicting how global weather events would impact near-shore surf conditions; these models were eventually combined into a set of swell-modeling algorithms nicknamed "LOLA".
In the 1970's, Collins spent extensive time traveling and surfing in Mexico. He converted marine weather forecasting equipment for use in an automobile so that he would have advance knowledge of where swells and offshore weather patterns were developing, and in turn used that information to find the best locations for surfing.
In 1985, Collins founded a surf report service called "Surfline
". The company started as a call-in service, which provided verbal condition reports for various surf breaks around Southern California. In 1995 Surfline moved online, offering live video streams of surf breaks in addition to written surf reports. Surfline eventually expanded to offer editorial coverage of surfing, and is now one of the most prominent websites related to the sport.
In 2006, Collins was named "one of the 100 most powerful people in Southern California" by The Los Angeles Times West Magazine, for his influence over the region's large population of surfers.
In 2008, in honor of his contributions to surf forecasting, Collins was inducted into the Surfers' Hall of Fame in Huntington Beach, California
.
Surfline
Surfline is a company and website based in Huntington Beach, California that specializes in surf forecasting and surf reports, as well as editorial coverage of the sport of surfing.- History :...
and a noted figured in the areas of surfing
Surfing
Surfing' is a surface water sport in which the surfer rides a surfboard on the crest and face of a wave which is carrying the surfer towards the shore...
and surf forecasting
Surf forecasting
Surf forecasting is the process of using offshore swell data to predict onshore wave conditions. It is used by millions of people across the world, including professionals who put their forecasts online, meteorologists who work for news crews, and surfers all over the world...
.
Biography
Sean Robb Collins was born in Pasadena, California in 1952. His father, Whitney Collins, was a former Navy lieutenant who enjoyed sailboat racing and owned a 45-foot ketchKetch
A ketch is a sailing craft with two masts: a main mast, and a shorter mizzen mast abaft of the main mast, but forward of the rudder post. Both masts are rigged mainly fore-and-aft. From one to three jibs may be carried forward of the main mast when going to windward...
. Collins' early experiences sailing with his father instilled a passion for the ocean and meteorology.
Most of Collins' knowledge of meteorology was self-taught. In the early years of Collins' surf forecasting he would record weather reports and forecasts from the Southern Hemisphere, which he received via shortwave radio, he also studied charts and data from the National Weather Service library. By comparing these various data sources with his observations of the surf, Collins devised formulas for predicting how global weather events would impact near-shore surf conditions; these models were eventually combined into a set of swell-modeling algorithms nicknamed "LOLA".
In the 1970's, Collins spent extensive time traveling and surfing in Mexico. He converted marine weather forecasting equipment for use in an automobile so that he would have advance knowledge of where swells and offshore weather patterns were developing, and in turn used that information to find the best locations for surfing.
In 1985, Collins founded a surf report service called "Surfline
Surfline
Surfline is a company and website based in Huntington Beach, California that specializes in surf forecasting and surf reports, as well as editorial coverage of the sport of surfing.- History :...
". The company started as a call-in service, which provided verbal condition reports for various surf breaks around Southern California. In 1995 Surfline moved online, offering live video streams of surf breaks in addition to written surf reports. Surfline eventually expanded to offer editorial coverage of surfing, and is now one of the most prominent websites related to the sport.
Recognitions
In 1999, Collins was named one of the "25 Most Influential Surfers of the Century" by Surfer Magazine.In 2006, Collins was named "one of the 100 most powerful people in Southern California" by The Los Angeles Times West Magazine, for his influence over the region's large population of surfers.
In 2008, in honor of his contributions to surf forecasting, Collins was inducted into the Surfers' Hall of Fame in Huntington Beach, California
Huntington Beach, California
Huntington Beach is a seaside city in Orange County in Southern California. According to the 2010 census, the city population was 189,992; making it the largest beach city in Orange County in terms of population...
.