wave height radar

Swell Intel

The Next Evolution of SurfMatch: Introducing Live Ocean Radar Powered by Xweather

September 30, 2026

The Next Evolution of SurfMatch:
Introducing Live Ocean Radar Powered by Xweather

TL;DR:

  • The Upgrade: SurfMatch Pro now features a Live Ocean Radar powered by Vaisala Xweather. Tap the new globe icon on your map to enter "shadow mode."

  • What It Does: You can now track incoming storms and deepwater wave heights across a 500-mile offshore radius, letting you visualize swell propagation before it hits the nearshore bathymetry.

  • Why Xweather: We partnered with them for their enterprise-grade reliability, massive global sensor network, and 90-year legacy in climate intelligence.

  • The Roadmap: This is just Phase One. As we expand coverage across premier breaks throughout the US, Australia, and globally, we are continuously upgrading SurfMatch Pro with upcoming features like hyper-resolution localized wind models, real-time storm forensics, and coastal water quality telemetry.

The Next Evolution of SurfMatch: Introducing Live Ocean Radar Powered by Xweather

We built SurfMatch to solve a very specific problem: bridging the gap between raw, deepwater buoy data and the actual rideable surf face at your local break. Up until now, our localized bathymetry models have done the heavy lifting to score exactly when and where you should paddle out. But to truly understand a swell, you need to see it moving.

Today, we are thrilled to announce a massive upgrade for SurfMatch Pro users: the Live Ocean Radar & Extended Maritime Forecast, powered by Vaisala Xweather.

Available right now, tapping the new globe icon on your map drops you into "shadow mode"—a gorgeous, high-resolution regional radar view. This isn’t just a static weather map; it is a live tracking environment covering a 500-mile offshore radius. Pro users can now watch deepwater wave heights stack up, track incoming storm systems, and visualize swell propagation before the energy ever touches the nearshore bathymetry.

When you blend our localized, spot-specific wave face calculations with enterprise-grade offshore radar, you stop guessing when a swell will hit and start tracking its arrival hour by hour.

Why We Partnered With Xweather

When selecting a data partner for this upgrade, we needed a platform that treated environmental intelligence with the same obsession we have for surf mechanics. Vaisala Xweather was the undisputed choice.

Originating from Vaisala's 90-year legacy as a global leader in measurement instrumentation and climate intelligence, Xweather operates with a mission to turn atmospheric data into actionable, real-world impact. We chose their architecture for a few critical reasons:

  • Enterprise-Grade Infrastructure: Their data is trusted by organizations like NASA and Fortune 100 companies.

  • Unrivaled Data Volume: They process an incredible volume of environmental data—over 3 petabytes every year—gathered from hundreds of thousands of global sources.

  • Global Sensor Network: Their intelligence is fueled by a network of over 15,000 weather stations worldwide, ensuring precision no matter where your strike mission takes you.

  • The "First to Know" Advantage: Their models are designed to help users anticipate weather risk and act before conditions create disruption. For us, that translates directly to being the first surfer in the parking lot when the sets start pouring in

The Pro Roadmap: This is Just Phase One

The Live Ocean Radar is only the beginning. We built SurfMatch on a philosophy of relentless, continuous iteration—constantly refining our forecasting engine and rolling out meaningful upgrades that help you score better waves.

Our integration with Xweather establishes a foundation for an ambitious pipeline of future capabilities. In upcoming Pro releases, we are focused on integrating hyper-resolution localized wind models, real-time lightning and storm forensics, and advanced coastal water quality telemetry.

As we expand our footprint across premier surf regions worldwide—with a dedicated focus on high-demand breaks across the United States, Australia, and beyond—we remain committed to pushing the boundaries of modern ocean intelligence for your everyday sessions.

The Live Ocean Radar is live today for all SurfMatch Pro users. Update your app, tap the globe icon on the map, and start tracking the horizon.

See you in the water.

Cory