Disclaimer - please read

What this tool is

NippyIndex is an environmental data display tool. It gathers third-party forecast and reference data, applies a published, source-based method to it, and presents the result in a readable form. The Nippy Index is an assessment of physical wave conditions on a 1-10 scale - it is a description of conditions, not a safety rating.

Everything shown is intended as background context to inform your own judgement. It is not advice, instruction, or an endorsement of any location or activity.

The conditions are calculated, not measured

The figures shown are calculated by this tool from third-party forecast models. They are not measured at each location by sensors in the water. Forecast models work on a grid (roughly 25 km) and cannot capture every local effect - headlands, rip currents, river outflows, sandbars, sudden weather changes, or the exact state of the shoreline in front of you.

This means the conditions shown can be incorrect, can understate what is actually happening, and can change quickly and without warning. What you see on screen may not match what you find when you arrive.

It is not a safety rating, and does not know you

The Nippy Index and every value on the page describe conditions and their general effect on a body in the water. They do not:

• tell you that a location is safe, accessible, or suitable for any activity;
• account for your individual ability, fitness, health, experience or equipment;
• account for who you are with, the time of day, or your reason for being there;
• replace your own eyes-on assessment of the water in front of you.

A location appearing in NippyIndex is simply a place the tool holds data for. It is not a suggestion that you should go there, or that it is wise to enter the water.

Always make your own assessment

Before going near or into open water, assess the conditions yourself. Look at the water, check local signage and warning flags, be aware of tides and access, and consider your own ability and the people you are with. Conditions on the day can differ significantly from any forecast.

Not a substitute for official sources

NippyIndex is not a substitute for official forecasts, warnings or lifeguard advice. For decisions about going near or into the water, always check authoritative, current sources, including:

• Met Office - weather forecasts and warnings;
• HM Coastguard - in an emergency call 999 and ask for the Coastguard;
• RNLI and local lifeguards - beach safety guidance, flags and signage;
• Surfers Against Sewage Safer Seas Service - real-time sewage discharge alerts;
• local authority, Environment Agency and SEPA advisories - including, for inland waters, current blue-green algae warnings.

Where these sources conflict with NippyIndex, treat the official source as authoritative.

Your responsibility

Open water swimming, dipping and paddling carry inherent risks. You are responsible for your own decisions and your own safety. This tool informs; it does not decide for you. By using NippyIndex you accept that any decision to enter or stay out of the water is yours alone.

NippyIndex is provided "as is" and "as available", without warranties of any kind as to the accuracy, completeness, timeliness or availability of the information shown. To the fullest extent permitted by law, NippyIndex and NippyDips accept no liability for any loss or damage arising from reliance on this tool. Nothing in this disclaimer excludes or limits any liability that cannot be excluded or limited under applicable law.

Third-party data

NippyIndex relies on data from third parties, including Open-Meteo (weather and marine forecasts), the UK Hydrographic Office ADMIRALTY Tidal API, the Environment Agency Water Quality Archive, SunriseSunset.io, and the SunCalc library. NippyIndex is not responsible for the accuracy, availability or interruption of these third-party services. A fuller explanation of the data and method is on the Information page.