Surfing Dictionary - Surfing Slang Explained
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- Published on Saturday, 23 March 2013 23:32
Surfing Dictionary - Surfing Slang Explained
So you've just started surfing, you're managing to catch a few waves and are even considering buying your first wetsuit and board. You're feeling like a true surfer now! Only problem is, you can't understand a word anyone is saying. Are 'gnarly' waves a good thing? Is a 'soul arch' some kind of church architecture? Don't make rookie mistakes when it comes to surfing lingo, read our simple guide to common surf slang.
Surfers:
A Grom/Grommet: A young surfer
Hang-loose: means well done or catch that wave
Kook: You don't want to be called a kook! Simply means a wannabe with no skill
Accidents in the water:
Wipe out: Getting knocked off your board by a wave
Rag dolled: Getting shaken like a ragdoll under a wave
Wash cycle/pitched over/sucked over/over the falls: Used when a wave sucks you under along the lip of the wave, in a circular motion.
Surfboards:
Deck: The upper surface of the board
Fin or Fins: Fin-shaped plastic inserts at the back of the board on the bottom, enables steering.
Nose: The front tip of the board
Rails: The side edges of the surfboard
Tail: The back end of the board
Rocker: How concave the surface of the board is from nose to tail
Blank: The original block the surfboard is created from
Leash: The cord that goes around your ankle, joining you to your board
Wax: Specially formulated to stop you from slipping off the board
Ding: Accidental hole or dent on the surface of the board
Quiver: A collection of boards for different kinds of waves
Water Conditions
Beach break: Surf-able waves break just off of a beach, or on a sandbar further out to sea
Blown out: Wind makes good waves too choppy
Bomb: A huge wave set
Choppy: Cross winds give waves a rough surface
Close-out: A wave breaks along the face all at once, making it unsuitable to surf.
Face: The forward-facing surface of a breaking wave
Flat: No waves, calm sea
Gas chamber: A surfer gets enclosed in a tunnel of air underneath a big wave
Glassy: Water is extremely smooth and glossy
Gnarly: Large, difficult and dangerous waves
Line-up: The area with the most waves breaking and therefore the most surfers waiting
Off the hook: Said when the waves are awesome
Outside: The furthest part of the water's surface from the waves
Point break: An underwater rocky area creates waves that are suitable for surfing
Sections: The parts of a breaking wave that are rideable
Set waves: A group of waves of larger size within a swell
Shoulder: The unbroken part of the wave
Surf's up: There are waves worth surfing!
Swell: A series of waves that have traveled from a distant storm, that will break once the swell reaches shallow enough water
Whitewater: After the wave has finished breaking, it continues on as a ridge of turbulence and foam
Techniques and Maneuvers:
Air/Aerial: Riding the board briefly into the air above the wave, landing back on the wave and continuing to ride
Bail: Stepping off of the board in order to avoid being knocked off
Bottom turn: The first turn at the bottom of the wave
Carve: Turns on the board
Caught inside: When a surfer can't get past the breaking surf to find a wave to ride
Cross step: Crossing one leg over the other across the board (usually to make it to the nose)
Cutback: A turn cutting back toward the breaking part of the wave
Drop in: Dropping into the wave, usually to stand up
Duck dive: Pushing the board underwater, nose first, and diving under an oncoming wave
Fade: On take-off, aiming toward the breaking part of the wave, before turning sharply and surfing in the direction the wave is breaking
Fins-free snap (or "fins out"): A sharp turn where the surfboard's fins slide off the top of the wave
Floater: Riding the top of the breaking part of the wave and coming down with it
Goofy foot: Surfing with your left foot on the back of board
Hang Heels: Facing backwards and putting your heels out over the edge of a longboard
Hang five/hang ten: Putting five or ten toes over the nose of a longboard
Off the Top: A turn on the top of a wave, either sharp or carving
Pearl: Accidentally driving the nose of the board underwater, usually ending the ride
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 in quick succession
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 or broken wave when paddling out to the line-up (a turtle roll is an alternative to a duck dive)
Smack the Lip / Hit the Lip: After performing a bottom turn, moving upwards to hit the peak of the wave
Snaking, drop in on, cut off, or "burn": When a surfer who doesn't have the right of way steals a wave from another surfer
Snaking/Back-Paddling: Stealing a wave from another surfer by paddling around the person's back to get into the best position
Snap: A quick, sharp turn off the top of a wave
Soul arch: Arching your back, showing off your confidence when riding a wave
Stall: Slowing down by shifting weight to the tail of the board or putting a hand in the water
Switch-foot: 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/Getting barreled: Riding inside the hollow curl of a wave
Places to Surf in Waterford
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- Published on Monday, 19 September 2011 21:40
*All of these spots are listed in the stormrider guide and on magicseaweed and are therefor accepted as not being considered secret! All care has been taken not to mention any of the surf spots which cant be found in these places.
How to Surf
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- Published on Wednesday, 03 August 2011 16:27
Learning to Surf isn't as hard as it may sound.
Surfer's Ear: Exostosis
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- Published on Tuesday, 02 August 2011 00:55
Definition: What is “Surfer’s Ear?”
Although this surfing ailment is commonly referred to as Surfer's Ear, the medical term is actually Exostosis (which really means abnormal bone growth) within the ear canal. Similar to Pterygia, Surfer's Ear is your body's reactions and protective mechanisms in response to the ocean's extreme conditions. Extended exposure to cold wind and cold water can result in abnormal bone growth that narrows the ear canal with the possibility of complete blockage. This condition is called “Surfer’s Ear” due to its prevalence among cold water surfers in cooler climates, however Exostosis is not surfing specific. Divers and kayakers are also vulnerable to Exostosis.
Choosing your first Surfboard
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- Published on Tuesday, 02 August 2011 00:51
Nothing is more important to the new surfer than choosing their first board. Those thin, narrow rockets the big names are riding sure look exciting, but they are a disaster for surfers learning initial techniques. Therefore, keep these tips in mind when choosing your first surfboard.
How to Turtle Roll a Longboard
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- Published on Sunday, 31 July 2011 23:12
If your board is too big or buoyant to duck dive then you need to turtle roll your board.
The duck diving lesson is all well and good for surfers who ride shortboards, but what about those longboard lads and ladies out there? Hopefully you've found your way here before trying to duck dive your 12-foot board in 6-foot surf and taking a battering.