Surf-ABC
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Surf-Abc
If you want to learn how to surf, you should also get familiar with surfer lingo. Surf slang is everywhere the waves are close by. So before you head to a surf camp without a clue about pop-ups and line-ups, check out our surf dictionary!
Wave-related terms
Line-up: The area just beyond where the waves break, where surfers wait to catch the next rideable wave.
Set: A group of waves that arrive together, often larger than the waves preceding or following them.
Peak: The highest point of a wave where it first starts to break.
Barrel (Tube): A hollow wave that creates a tunnel-like shape, prized by surfers for riding through.
Closeout: When a wave breaks all at once across its length, making it unsurfable.
Offshore: Winds that blow from the shore towards the sea, creating cleaner and more stable waves.
Onshore: Winds that blow from the sea towards the shore, often making the waves choppy and less desirable.
Green Wave: A wave that hasn’t broken yet, meaning its face is still smooth and unbroken. This is ideal for more experienced surfers, as it offers a clean and steady surface to ride.
Whitewash: The foamy, bubbly water left after a wave has already broken. It’s great for beginners learning to balance, as it’s less powerful and easier to catch than green waves.
Surf Techniques and Maneuvers
Take-off: The moment a surfer catches a wave and pops up onto their board. It’s the critical start of any ride.
Drop-in: When a surfer takes off on a wave that someone else is already riding, considered poor surf etiquette.
Bottom Turn: A turn made at the base of the wave after the take-off, setting the surfer up for their next move.
Cutback: A sharp turn back towards the breaking part of the wave, used to stay in the power zone.
Floater: A maneuver where the surfer rides along the top of the breaking wave, often “floating” over the whitewash.
Duck Dive: A technique used to push the board and body under an incoming wave to avoid getting swept back.
Hang Ten: A maneuver on the longboard where both feet are placed at the tip of the board.
Equipment
Leash: A cord that attaches the surfer’s ankle to the surfboard, preventing the board from drifting away after a wipeout.
Wax: A sticky substance applied to the top of a surfboard to provide grip and prevent slipping.
Rashguard: A lightweight, tight-fitting shirt worn to protect against sunburn, rashes from the surfboard, or irritation from a wetsuit.
Quiver: A surfer’s collection of boards, usually of different sizes and shapes for various wave conditions.
Fins: The small, usually removable blades on the bottom of the surfboard that provide stability, control, and direction.
Traction Pad: A grippy pad placed on the tail of the surfboard to provide extra control for the surfer’s back foot.
Surfer Slang and Rules
Stoked: A slang term for being extremely excited or thrilled, often used in surf culture
Grom: A young, enthusiastic surfer, usually just starting out but showing passion for the sport.
Kook: A term for an inexperienced or clueless surfer who often disregards surf etiquette or struggles with the basics. It’s not necessarily mean but can be used jokingly or critically.
Goofy: A stance where the surfer places their right foot forward on the board (opposite of regular).
Regular: A stance where the surfer places their left foot forward on the board.
Priority: A system used in competitive surfing to determine which surfer has the right to take the next wave. In non-competitive settings, it refers to respecting who’s in the best position to catch a wave.
Weather and Sea Conditions
Swell: A series of waves generated by distant winds or storms that travel across the ocean.
Tide: The rise and fall of the sea level caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and sun. Tides greatly affect surf conditions, as some spots work better at high tide while others are better at low tide.
Riptide: A strong, narrow current that flows from the shore back out to sea. It can be dangerous but is also useful for surfers to paddle out quickly.
Point Break: A type of surf break where waves consistently peel along a point of land, such as a rocky headland or sandbank. Point breaks often create long, rideable waves.
