gov.noaa.nodc:Goddard-Caldwell_Database eng utf8 series NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information ncei.info@noaa.gov https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/contact HTTPS NOAA Contact Information Information for contacts at NCEI. information custodian 2026-03-30T14:27:31Z ISO 19115-2 Geographic Information - Metadata - Part 2: Extensions for Imagery and Gridded Data ISO 19115-2:2009(E) Goddard-Caldwell Daily Visual Surf Observation Database: Daily visual surf observations on Oahu, Hawaii, from 1968 to 2020 2001-04-16 publication 2022-01-03 revision 2001-04-16 creation NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information gov.noaa.nodc:Goddard-Caldwell_Database NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information ncei.info@noaa.gov https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/contact HTTPS NCEI Contact Information Information for contacts at NCEI. information publisher Larry Goddard resourceProvider Patrick Caldwell NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) resourceProvider University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (UHM) https://manoa.hawaii.edu/ HTTPS University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (UHM) website Institution web page information resourceProvider US National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC) https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/ HTTPS US National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC) website Institution web page information resourceProvider Larry Goddard principalInvestigator Patrick Caldwell NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) principalInvestigator Randy Rarick Association of Professional Surfers collaborator Peter Cole US Pacific Command collaborator Bernie Baker collaborator Albert Benson collaborator Garret McNamara collaborator Ian Masterson collaborator Kaleo Ahina collaborator Robert Yonover collaborator Clark Abbey collaborator Shaun Johnston collaborator Eric E. Grossman University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (UHM) egrossman@usgs.gov https://manoa.hawaii.edu/ HTTPS website Institution web page information collaborator Jerome Aucan The Pacific Community collaborator Yvonne Firing collaborator Kimball Millikan collaborator Robert Burke collaborator Caldwell, Patrick NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information author Goddard, Larry author US National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC) https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/ HTTPS US National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC) website Institution web page information contributor tableDigital Surf reports are typically made several times per day at select locations around Oahu, primarily by Honolulu City and County lifeguards and the Surf News Network, Inc. Wave heights are reported in Hawaii scale, Hs, which systematically underestimates breaker size by as much as one-half. Although exactly when and why this tendency originated is highly disputed, it became the primary means of communicating surf size by the late 1960s. From publicly available surf reports and other notes from reputable surfers, Mr. Larry Goddard logged heights from 1968 through September 1987 and Mr. Patrick Caldwell has done similarly from September 1987 to 2020. The caretakers of the dataset typically cross-check observations among the various reporters for quality control. The daily value in the GC set represents the upper end of the reported height range, which is roughly equivalent to H1/10, for the observing time and location with the highest breakers along a given coast facing a similar direction. For the north shore, most observations are taken at Sunset Point, which is usually one of the areas of highest surf under the dominant northwest swells. For days of extreme surf with heights greater than 15 Hs, visual observations are reported from Waimea Bay, where breakers are closer to shore. For the south shores, Ala Moana is usually the reporting site. Observations from the west and east side of Oahu have also been recorded although these reports are of lower quality. Comparisons of the Goddard-Caldwell collection to 1981-2002 data from NOAA buoy 51001, which is located roughly 400 km west-northwest of Oahu, show the north shore surf observations are temporally consistent with the shoaling-only, buoy-estimated breaker heights and have an uncertainty of 10 to 15% of the surf height. To better understand wave height variability. Thanks are given to the surf observers-- lifeguards of the City and County of Honolulu and employees of the Surf News Network. Deep appreciation is given to Mr. Larry Goddard for sharing his digital database of surf observations. For his set of data, thanks go out to the various lifeguard reporters and reputable surfers: Randy Rarick, Peter Cole, Bernie Baker, and Albert Benson. For the Caldwell set, thanks are given to Garret McNamara, Ian Masterson, Kaleo Ahina, Robert Yonover, and Clark Abbey for surf information which was used in cross checking the lifeguard reports. While the author was away from the island, various students and staff at the University of Hawaii and Windward Community which include: Ian Masterson, Kaleo Ahina, Shaun Johnston, Eric Grossman, Jerome Aucan, Yvonne Firing, Kimball Millikan, and Robert Burke. Great thanks go out to all these individuals. For access to the digital cameras, appreciation is given to Surfline, Inc. (www.surfline.com), and for daily surf notes and pictures, thanks are extended to Jamie Ballenger (www.hawaiianwatershots.com) and Claudia Ferrari (www.claudiaferrari.com/news.htm). completed historicalArchive NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information ncei.info@noaa.gov https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/contact HTTPS NCEI Contact Information Information for contacts at NCEI. information pointOfContact asNeeded https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/metadata/landing-page/bin/gfx?id=gov.noaa.nodc:Goddard-Caldwell_Database Preview graphic PNG 0000165 0000274 0001754 NCEI ACCESSION NUMBER 2020-12-12 publication WAVE DIRECTION WAVE HEIGHT WAVE HEIGHT - BREAKING SURF WIND DIRECTION WIND SPEED theme NODC DATA TYPES THESAURUS visual estimate visual observation instrument NODC INSTRUMENT TYPES THESAURUS daily maximum height of breaking surf physical theme NODC OBSERVATION TYPES THESAURUS FIXED STATIONS OF UNITED STATES SWIMMER/DIVER platform NODC PLATFORM NAMES THESAURUS US National Oceanographic Data Center dataCentre NODC COLLECTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa US National Oceanographic Data Center dataCentre NODC SUBMITTING INSTITUTION NAMES THESAURUS Coastal Waters of Hawaii Northeast Pacific Ocean (limit-180) place NODC SEA AREA NAMES THESAURUS oceanography theme WMO_CategoryCode 2012-09-15 publication DOC/NOAA/NESDIS/NODC > National Oceanographic Data Center, NESDIS, NOAA, U.S. Department of Commerce dataCentre Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Data Center Keywords 2026 revision 24 Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Greenbelt MD https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords HTTPS GCMD Keyword Forum Page Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2025. GCMD Keywords, Version 21. Greenbelt, MD: Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). URL (GCMD Keyword Forum Page): https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD+Keywords information custodian Goddard-Caldwell Daily Visual Surf Observation Database project Originator Project Names EARTH SCIENCE > ATMOSPHERE > ATMOSPHERIC WINDS > SURFACE WINDS > WIND DIRECTION EARTH SCIENCE > ATMOSPHERE > ATMOSPHERIC WINDS > SURFACE WINDS > WIND SPEED EARTH SCIENCE > OCEANS > OCEAN WAVES > WAVE HEIGHT EARTH SCIENCE > OCEANS > OCEAN WAVES > WAVE SPEED/DIRECTION theme Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Science Keywords 2026 revision 24 Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Greenbelt MD https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords HTTPS GCMD Keyword Forum Page Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2025. GCMD Keywords, Version 21. Greenbelt, MD: Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). URL (GCMD Keyword Forum Page): https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD+Keywords information custodian VISUAL OBSERVATIONS > VISUAL OBSERVATIONS instrument Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Instrument Keywords 2026 revision 24 Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Greenbelt MD https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords HTTPS GCMD Keyword Forum Page Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2025. GCMD Keywords, Version 21. Greenbelt, MD: Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). URL (GCMD Keyword Forum Page): https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD+Keywords information custodian FIXED OBSERVATION STATIONS > FIXED OBSERVATION STATIONS platform Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Platform Keywords 2026 revision 24 Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Greenbelt MD https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords HTTPS GCMD Keyword Forum Page Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2025. GCMD Keywords, Version 21. Greenbelt, MD: Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). URL (GCMD Keyword Forum Page): https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD+Keywords information custodian SWIMMER/DIVER (ICES code: 33DV) platform ICES/SeaDataNet Ship Codes OCEAN > PACIFIC OCEAN > CENTRAL PACIFIC OCEAN > HAWAIIAN ISLANDS OCEAN > PACIFIC OCEAN > NORTH PACIFIC OCEAN place Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) Location Keywords 2026 revision 24 Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Greenbelt MD https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD%2BKeywords HTTPS GCMD Keyword Forum Page Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). 2025. GCMD Keywords, Version 21. Greenbelt, MD: Earth Science Data and Information System, Earth Science Projects Division, Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). URL (GCMD Keyword Forum Page): https://forum.earthdata.nasa.gov/app.php/tag/GCMD+Keywords information custodian Ala Moana Diamond Head Hawaii Laniakea Beach Maili Makaha Makapuu North Beach North Pacific Ocean Oahu Publics (Nanatorium) Sunset Beach Sunset Point Waimea Bay place Originator Place Names accessLevel: public otherRestrictions Cite as: Caldwell, Patrick; Goddard, Larry (2001). Goddard-Caldwell Daily Visual Surf Observation Database: Daily visual surf observations on Oahu, Hawaii, from 1968 to 2020. [indicate subset used]. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. Dataset. https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/Goddard-Caldwell_Database. Accessed [date]. Distribution liability: NOAA and NCEI make no warranty, expressed or implied, regarding these data, nor does the fact of distribution constitute such a warranty. NOAA and NCEI cannot assume liability for any damages caused by any errors or omissions in these data. If appropriate, NCEI can only certify that the data it distributes are an authentic copy of the records that were accepted for inclusion in the NCEI archives. otherRestrictions Use liability: NOAA and NCEI cannot provide any warranty as to the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of furnished data. Users assume responsibility to determine the usability of these data. The user is responsible for the results of any application of this data for other than its intended purpose. Caldwell, P. C. (2005). Validity of North Shore, Oahu, Hawaiian Islands Surf Observations. Journal of Coastal Research, 216, 1127–1138. https://doi.org/10.2112/03-0092.1 2005-11 publication International DOI Foundation (IDF) https://doi.org/10.2112/03-0092.1 https://doi.org/10.2112/03-0092.1 HTTPS https://doi.org/10.2112/03-0092.1 journal article information Caldwell, Patrick C. author Coastal Education and Research Foundation publisher documentDigital Journal of Coastal Research 216 ISSN 0749-0208, ISSN 1551-5036, pp. 1127-1138 crossReference sciencePaper Caldwell, P. C., & Aucan, J. P. (2007). An Empirical Method for Estimating Surf Heights from Deepwater Significant Wave Heights and Peak Periods in Coastal Zones with Narrow Shelves, Steep Bottom Slopes, and High Refraction. Journal of Coastal Research, 23(5), 1237. https://doi.org/10.2112/04-0397r.1 2007-09-01 publication International DOI Foundation (IDF) https://doi.org/10.2112/04-0397r.1 https://doi.org/10.2112/04-0397r.1 HTTPS https://doi.org/10.2112/04-0397r.1 journal article information Caldwell, Patrick C. Hawaii Liaison Office, National Coastal Data Development Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1000 Pope Road, MSB 316, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822 U.S.A. author Aucan, Jerome P. Department of Oceanography, University of Hawaii at Manoa 1000 Pope Road, MSB 218, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822 author Coastal Education and Research Foundation publisher documentDigital Journal of Coastal Research 23(5) ISSN 0749-0208, p. 1237 crossReference sciencePaper Caldwell, P. C., Vitousek, S., & Aucan, J. P. (2009). Frequency and Duration of Coinciding High Surf and Tides along the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii, 1981–2007. Journal of Coastal Research, 253, 734–743. https://doi.org/10.2112/08-1004.1 2009-05 publication International DOI Foundation (IDF) https://doi.org/10.2112/08-1004.1 https://doi.org/10.2112/08-1004.1 HTTPS https://doi.org/10.2112/08-1004.1 journal article information Caldwell, Patrick C. author Vitousek, Sean author Aucan, Jerome P. author Coastal Education and Research Foundation publisher documentDigital Journal of Coastal Research 253 ISSN 0749-0208, ISSN 1551-5036, pp. 734-743 crossReference sciencePaper eng; USA utf8 environment oceans climatologyMeteorologyAtmosphere -158.22 -157.66 21.25 21.7 1968-08-01 2020-12-10 NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information +1-301-713-3277 ncei.info@noaa.gov pointOfContact In most cases, electronic downloads of the data are free. However, fees may apply for custom orders, data certifications, copies of analog materials, and data distribution on physical media. Contact NCEI for other distribution options and instructions. Originator data format 2.532 https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/archive/accession/Goddard-Caldwell_Database HTTPS Web browser NCEI Dataset Landing Page Navigate directly to the URL for a descriptive web page with download links. information https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/metadata/granule/geoportal/?from=0&size=10&esdsl=%7B%22query%22%3A%7B%22bool%22%3A%7B%22must%22%3A%5B%7B%22query_string%22%3A%7B%22analyze_wildcard%22%3Atrue%2C%22query%22%3A%22fileid%3AGoddard-Caldwell_Database.*%22%7D%7D%5D%7D%7D%7D#searchPanel HTTPS Web browser Granule Search Search for data granules belonging to this collection (a granule is the smallest aggregation of data that can be independently described and retrieved). search series NCEI Accession 0000165 v1.1 was published. 2001-04-16T04:00:00Z NCEI Accession 0000274 v1.1 was published. 2001-04-16T04:00:00Z NCEI Accession 0001754 v1.1 was published. 2004-10-15T14:43:44Z NCEI Accession 0001754 was revised and v2.2 was published. 2020-12-15T05:56:05Z NCEI Accession 0001754 was revised and v2.3 was published. 2022-01-03T14:48:40Z repository NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information NOAA created the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) by merging NOAA's National Climatic Data Center (NCDC), National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC), and National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC), including the National Coastal Data Development Center (NCDDC), per the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, Public Law 113-235. NCEI launched publicly on April 22, 2015. 2015-04-22T00:00:00 asNeeded Metadata are developed, maintained and distributed by NCEI. Updates are performed as needed to maintain currentness. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information custodian visual estimate visual estimate not an instrument - maybe an observation type visual observation visual observation not an instrument - maybe an observation type FIXED STATIONS OF UNITED STATES FIXED STATIONS OF UNITED STATES SWIMMER/DIVER SWIMMER/DIVER