Glossary of surfing

A glossary of surfing is a helpful list of words and phrases that people use when they talk about the sport of surfing. Surfing is an exciting activity where people ride waves on special boards. Over time, surfers have created many special words to describe different parts of surfing, like the shape of the waves or the moves they make.

This glossary includes some of these important words. Many of these terms were first used by surfers themselves, people who love the sport and spend a lot of time in the water. Learning these words can help anyone understand more about surfing and enjoy talking with surfers. Whether you are new to the sport or just curious, this list offers a fun way to explore the language that makes surfing unique.

About the water

Surfing has many special words to describe parts of the water and waves. A barrel is when a big wave rolls over and makes a tunnel of air that a surfer can ride through. A beach break happens when waves break near the shore or on a sandbar farther out. Offshore wind blows from the land toward the ocean and makes the waves smooth and easy to surf on, while onshore wind blows from the ocean toward the land and makes the waves choppy and hard to ride.

Other terms include chop, which are rough, messy waves caused by cross winds, and a close-out, when a wave breaks all at once and can’t be surfed. A swell is a group of waves that have traveled from a distant storm and will start to break when they reach shallow water. Surfers wait in the line-up, the area where waves begin to break, hoping to catch a good wave.

Techniques and maneuvers

Surfing has many special ways to ride waves. One way is called an Air/Aerial, where the surfer briefly lifts the board into the air and lands back on the wave. Backing out means pulling back from a wave that looks too tough to ride.

Some other moves include Bottom turn, the first turn at the bottom of a wave, and Carve, which are strong turns on the board. Drop in is when a surfer starts riding a wave, often by standing up on the board. Snaking happens when someone takes a wave that another surfer had a right to ride, which is not fair.

Other fun moves are Hang-five or Hang ten, where surfers put five or ten toes over the front of the board, and Tube riding, where a surfer rides inside the curved part of a wave. Each move helps surfers enjoy and master the waves better.

• Air/Aerial: Riding the board briefly into the air above the wave, landing back upon the wave, and continuing to ride
• Backing out: pulling back rather than continuing into a wave that could have been caught
• Bail: To step off the board to avoid falling off
• Bottom turn: The first turn at the bottom of the wave
• Carve: Turns on the board
• Caught inside: When a surfer is paddling out and cannot get past the breaking surf to find a wave to ride
• Cheater five: See Hang-five/hang ten
• Cross-step: Crossing one foot over the other to walk down the board
• Drop in: Dropping into the wave, often as part of standing up
• Drop-knee: A type of turn where both knees are bent
• Duck dive: Pushing the board underwater, nose first, and diving under an oncoming wave instead of riding it
• Fade: Turning sharply after taking off on a wave to stay in the best part of the wave
• Fins-free snap (or "fins out"): A sharp turn where the surfboard's fins slide off the top of the wave
• Floater: Riding up on the top of the breaking part of the wave, and coming down with it
• Goofy foot: Surfing with the left foot on the back of the board
• Grab the rail: When a surfer grabs the board rail away from the wave
• Hang Heels: Facing backwards and putting the surfers' heels out over the edge of a longboard
• Hang-five/hang ten: Putting five or ten toes respectively over the nose of a longboard
• Kick-out: Surfer throwing their body weight to the back of the board to change direction
• Head dip: The surfer tries to stick their head into a wave to get their hair wet
• Nose ride: the art of maneuvering a surfboard from the front end
• Off the Top: A turn on the top of a wave
• Pop-up: Going from lying on the board to standing, all in one jump
• Pump: An up/down carving movement that generates speed along a wave
• Re-entry: Hitting the lip vertically and re-reentering the wave quickly
• Regular/Natural foot: Surfing with the right foot on the back of the board
• Rolling, Turtle Roll: Flipping a longboard up-side-down, nose first and pulling through a breaking wave when paddling out
• Smack the Lip /Hit the Lip: Moving upwards to hit the peak of the wave after a bottom turn
• Snaking, drop in on, cut off, or "burn": When a surfer who doesn't have the right of way takes a wave from another surfer by taking off in front of someone who is closer to the peak
• Snaking/Back-Paddling: Taking a wave from another surfer by paddling around their back
• Snap: A quick, sharp turn off the top of a wave
• Soul arch: Arching the back to show confidence when riding a wave
• Stall: Slowing down by shifting weight to the tail of the board or putting a hand in the water
• Side-slip: travelling down a wave sideways to the direction of the board
• Switchfoot: Ambidextrous, having equal ability to surf regular foot or goofy foot
• Take-off: The start of a ride
• Tandem surfing: Two people riding one board
• Tube riding: Riding inside the hollow curl of a wave

Accidental

When a surfer loses balance and falls off their board while riding a wave, it’s called a "wipe out." Sometimes, the wave can pull the surfer underwater. If a surfer gets shaken around by the water, it can feel uncomfortable. Another tricky situation is when the surfer tries to climb up their leash while trapped underwater, causing the board to stand straight up — this is called a "tombstone." Accidentally pushing the nose of the board underwater usually ends the ride, and is known as a "pearl."

About people and behavior

• Dilla: This is a surfer who is easygoing and doesn't worry much. They feel good about being themselves.
• Grom/Grommet/Gremmie: This is a term for a young surfer.
• Hang loose: This means to stay calm and relaxed. You can show this by raising your hand with your thumb and pinky finger up.
• Hodad: This is someone who is not a real surfer but acts like one.
• Kook: This is a term for someone who wants to surf but isn't very good at it yet.
• Waxhead: This is a person who surfs almost every day.
• Broligarchy: This is a group of local surfers who spend a lot of time at one surfing spot.

About the board

Further information on surfboards: Surfboard

• Blank: The block from which a surfboard is created
• Deck: The upper surface of the board
• Ding: A dent or hole in the surface of the board from accidental damage^[a]
• Fin or Fins: Fin-shaped inserts on the underside of the back of the board that help steer the board
• Leash: A cord attached to the back of the board that wraps around the surfer's ankle
• Nose: The forward tip of the board
• Quiver: A surfer's collection of boards for different kinds of waves
• Rails: The side edges of the surfboard
• Rocker: How curved the surface of the board is from nose to tail
• Stringer: The line of wood that runs down the center of a board to keep it strong
• Tail: The back end of the board
• Wax: Special surf wax applied to the top of the board so the surfer's feet don’t slip off
• Leggie: A cord that connects your ankle to the tail of the surfboard so it isn’t washed away when you fall. It is made of lightweight material and comes in different sizes.
• Thruster: A three-finned surfboard invented in 1980 by Australian surfer Simon Anderson. It is now the most popular fin design for modern surfboards.

Clothing

Surfers wear special clothes to stay comfortable and safe in the water. One common type is called board shorts, sometimes also known as baggies. Another popular item is the Pendleton jacket, made famous by the band the Beach Boys. A rash guard is a shirt that helps protect surfers from sunburns and rough water. In colder water, surfers often wear a wetsuit, sometimes called "rubber," along with a neoprene hood and booties to stay warm.