Surfing glossary

This page aims to describe terms, jargon and slang related to surfing and surf culture.

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

A

Aerial

A trick where the board takes off from the lip of a wave and after travelling lands back on the face of the wave and continuing.

B

Backhand

Surfing while facing away from the wave.

Beach break

Waves breaking on the beach.

Boogie board

A short, soft foam board used for bodyboarding. Also known as a body board or a sponge.

Bottom turn

A turn at the bottom of the wave face.

C

Channel

1. Design feature on underside of a surfboard.

2. A trench between sand banks or reefs. Often associated with a strong current.

Clean

Smooth waves, usually good surfing conditions.

Cutback

Turning on the face of the wave to head back to the white water.

D

Deck

The upper surface of a surfboard.

Ding

Damage, usually a hole or dent, to the surfboard.

Drop in

Taking off on a wave that is already being ridden by another surfer. Contrary to good etiquette.

Duck dive

A method for getting through a broken or large wave without being washed towards the shore. Basically, diving under the wave.

E

Endless Summer

A 1966 documentary film which follows surfers around the world as they look for a perfect surfing spot. It was written, directed and narrated by Bruce Brown. A sequel, The Endless Summer 2, was released in 1994.

Eskimo roll

A method for getting through a broken or large wave without being washed towards the shore. Basically, rolling the board over so the water rushes over the underside (which is facing upwards).

F

Face

Unbroken, forward-facing portion of the wave.

Forehand

Surfing while facing toward the wave.

G

Goofy-footed

A surfer who places their right leg forward while surfing.

H

Hang five

A trick in which the toes of one foot are curled around the nose of the board.

I

J

K

Kick out

A controlled exit from the wave by riding up and over the top of the wave.

L

Leash

A cord used to prevent the board being washed away from the surfer.

M

N

Natural footed

A surfer who places their left leg forward while surfing.

Nose

The front of the board.

O

P

Pearl

When the nose of the board digs into the water, generally causing the surfer to tip-off forward.

Q

Quimby

A novice, and often annoying, surfer.

R

Rip current

A channel of water, or a current, heading out to sea. Often just known as a rip.

Rail

The edge of the board.

S

Set

A group of waves.

Shortie

A wetsuit with short legs and short, or no, arms. Sometimes known as a spring suit.

Stall

A method to slow the board to allow a wave to catch or overtake it.

Surfing

The coolest sport in the world.

T

Tail

The rear of the board.

Take off

To catch a wave and begin the ride.

360

Pronounced "three-sixty". A trick involving turning the board through a full circle on the face of the wave.

Tube

The inside of a hollow wave.

U

V

W

Wipe out

Terminating a ride, ungracefully.

X

Y

Z