Local forecasting outlets report growing readership specifically drawn to the literary flourish of swell reports rather than any practical surfing application whatsoever
SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA Local surf forecasting outlets confirm a genuine, growing readership segment drawn specifically to the increasingly literary, poetic language used in daily swell reports, a following forecasters say has little to nothing to do with these readers’ own actual surfing participation or planning needs.
What This Poetic Forecasting Language Actually Sounds Like
Recent reports have described swells as part of a “generational run,” referenced storm tracks “lighting back up,” and characterized entire seasons as producing conditions nobody “could have dreamed up,” language considerably more evocative than the raw wave-height data technically required.
How Forecasters Themselves Explain This Literary Approach
Chief forecaster Kevin Wallis acknowledges the stylistic flourish is deliberate, treating swell reporting as “genuinely part science, part storytelling,” a combination he believes serves both practical surfers and the growing audience simply enjoying the writing itself.
Who Exactly Makes Up This Non-Surfing Readership
A mix of self-described weather enthusiasts, former surfers no longer actively in the water, and readers who simply enjoy well-crafted seasonal writing regardless of any personal connection to the ocean whatsoever.
What This Non-Practical Readership Has Actually Told Forecasters
Several have reached out specifically praising particular turns of phrase, treating certain forecast entries as genuinely enjoyable standalone reading rather than functional planning tools.
Whether This Trend Has Changed How Forecasters Approach Their Actual Writing
Modestly yes, Wallis confirms, acknowledging awareness of this broader audience has encouraged the team to maintain the literary quality even during less dramatically newsworthy forecast periods.
What This Reveals About Niche Technical Writing’s Unexpected Broader Appeal
A genuine, charming reminder that sufficiently well-crafted technical writing can develop devoted readership entirely independent of its original practical function, provided the underlying craft is genuinely strong enough to stand alone. Further California coastal culture coverage continues at bohiney.com.
SOURCE: https://bohiney.com
