Building Surf Breaks
At Encinitas3D, we don’t just create things that look good—we build things that work, solve problems, and make life better. That’s exactly what we set out to do with our latest project: Surf Breaks, a surf and beach companion app designed from the ground up to be simple, smart, and truly useful.
The Problem
Most surf apps are either overloaded with data or too vague to trust. Charts, tides, buoy readings, wind reports—surfers have to interpret a lot before making a decision. We wanted to fix that.
Our Approach
We created Surf Breaks to take the complexity out of surf forecasting. The app pulls real-time data from NOAA buoys, weather stations, and tide charts, then uses shoreline orientation, swell angle, and even underwater topography to calculate a simple score for activities like surfing, walking, or just chilling by the beach.
We focused testing on San Diego beaches—places we know well—like Swami’s, Black’s, and Tourmaline. Comparing real-world conditions to predictions let us fine-tune the scoring and make sure it actually reflected what people experience when they’re there.
Built With Feedback, Refined by Use
We worked closely with a small group of local surfers and beachgoers throughout development. Their feedback shaped everything from the layout to the data sources. They told us what worked, what didn’t, and what they wished existed in other apps.
The result? Users have told us Surf Breaks is the only tool they use now. No more bouncing between tide charts, forecasts, or crowded interfaces. Just a clean, glanceable score and all the essentials in one place.
What This Means for Your Project
This isn’t just about surfing. It’s about building tools that people actually use. At Encinitas3D, we know how to go from concept to product—validating ideas, simplifying UX, and delivering apps that are clean, fast, and deeply functional.
If you’ve got an idea and want it built right—whether it’s for weather, lifestyle, data visualization, or something completely different—let’s talk. We don’t just build apps. We solve problems.