Freak Waves ???

[Dignity]

Regularily sitting offshore have been hit by swell coming through more than twice the average height. Last Saturday nite off 6mile at Caloundra the swell was probably 1m but there were quite a few that came through at 2 1/2 metres especially around 1 am Sunday. I would consider this the norm. But on a couple of occassions previously have been astounded by the size of a swell coming through. When this has happened the power of the swell could be felt and it was tremendous. Often thought that it might be the result of a tsunami. Thought I read there were about 20 tsunamis that hit the east coast a year and these were generally well under a metre in height.

[familyman]

Used to go rock fishing alot and studied the swell before going onto the platform,found that on average a larger wave ,up to double the ordinary height ,would land every 22 minutes give or take 30 seconds.
These were like clockwork NOT irregular or freak waves.
So far dont have enough outside boating hours to comment on that side of things
cheers jon

[redspeckle]

I agree in what Dicer said yes waves and swell can catch up up with each other to make a bigger wave or swell in heigth
But what about the Ocean bed the change of depth's when the tide, wind, currents work againts each other
eg when fishing in 10m, 50m to 100m away its 15m depth when a bit of a wave or swell comes thorugh its going to jack up and wave becomes bigger in height

I have cross south passge bars heaps of times and be in surf life saving driven & taught driving of IRB's (Inshore Rescue Boats) for many years
That reason I can tell you is be people called them freak waves because they didnt seee them coming happpens early morning or late afternoon and night time
Beacuse the suns glare blinds them can't see where there going

Mitch

[DICER]

It's probably also when you want to go into napping mode as well.

Sure I also generally agree with above comments on how variation across the bottom, and also in the wave type, length etc, can also play a major role in how the waves peak or form (or not form).

[Mad_fisherman]

Dr,
Normally the 6th mate but then again they do not always roll through in 6's but touch wood the last of the set is the bombie!

MAD!

[shaman]

Freak waves do exist - just look on your chart near hutchies and wide of moreton near deep tempest. It is clearly stated on the chart that they exist in that area - bright red text on my chart.

The cause for these is pretty much what DICER was saying - constructive - destructive waves. The definition of a freak wave is one that is double or more of the typical seas and swell that is being experienced in the area. They can come from the same direction as the typical sets, or sometimes can come from side on however side on is normally a product of converging currents / tides / wind.

The ones that come in the same direction usually are just 2 waves that got into sync with each other and stood up together as one wave temporarily for 50 or so feet of the waves travel, and then drops back into the general slop again.

Thanx Trueblue & Dicer,
Makes sense and i'm glad that there are other members who have experienced this around Peel & in the bay. Early on in this thread I felt like an idiot with some of the reply posts. Glad you could shed some light. Ta, Shaman.

[trueblue]

These waves happen all of the time, and are not rarities. We just don't see the big ones so often. The general conditions though are common. The word though "freak" is usually only used when big means "OMG that was f%$#en HUGE!!!!"

Never mind all of the chat about 1 and 2 metre waves. Like lots of people have said, these are seen regularly when a 1 metre wave meets up with another one and they stand up to 2 metres out of the blue.

When they are really scary, is when a consistent 3 metre set of waves throws one 6 metre giant at you! Thats what the chart is talking about when it mentions freak waves. The conditions we are all familiar with (1m standing up to 2m) are exactly the same as when a whopper occurs, but it just doesn't happen to be seen as often, as people don't tend to be out all the time in 3 metre waves to see the big doubler wave that stands up and wants to fight!

Rule of thumb out in the open ocean - never be out in a boat that can't handle twice the weather you could possibly expect...