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Surfing Dictionary
Posted by Admin |October 16, 2012
Surfing Dictionary - Terms Definitions and Slang.
In our current Surfing Dictionary, there are a number of terms and words used. However, the dictionary is not exhaustive. If there is any term that you know, which is left out of our Surfing Dictionary, then feel free to make a suggestion on our Forum.
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AXED
This is a common surfing term used to refer to a situation where a wave lip hits a surfer leading to wipe out.
BACKHAND
This means to surf with the wave behind you.
BACKSIDE
If you are on top of a wave while your face is facing towards the wave and your back the beach; that is a backside.
BANK
This is where the wave breaks, specifically the sandbank.
BARREL
This is term used to refer to the wave's tube where surf ride is done. One enters and exits the wave through this point.
BEACH BREAK
When surf breaks, this term is used to refer to that. This is mainly on the sand beach.
BLADE
A synonym used for surfboard.
BLANK
This is a foam block from which a customized surfboard is created.
BLOWN OUT
Due to onshore winds, surf could become choppy. This is the term used for this process.
BODY BOARDING
If you surf while lying instead of standing on the surfboard, then you are said to be bodyboarding.
BODYSURFING
This is surfing without any external help but only one's body and fins.
BOMBORA
This is breaking offshore, deep water.
BONEYARD
When the sneaker set is on, this is the impact zone where you are not willing to be.
BOTTOM TURN
This is when the wave face turns at the bottom.
BREAK
Break is when the surf is very good consisting long or peak wave lines.
CHANNEL
This is a gap between reefs or sandbanks in the deep water.
CHOPPY
This is the ocean below onshore wind.
CLEAN
These are favourable surfing conditions with peeling waves.
CLEAN-UP
A very large set could catch everybody in. This is called a cleanup.
CLOSE-OUT
If a wave breaks on its complete length at a go, then this is known as closeout.
CUTBACK
When you totally reverse your surfing direction either from left to right or right to left, this is called cutback.
DECK
This is the top plane of a board.
DING
This means a whole or any dent in a surfboard.
DOUBLE UP
This means a wave overtaking another.
FACE
This is a portion of the wave that is unbroken and is smooth.
FLOATER
While surfing, somebody can be on the outer surface of the lip. This is before coming in front when it breaks then you can keep riding.
FOREHAND
When you surf facing the wave is called forehand.
FRONTSIDE
This is when you face the wave as you ride and beach on your back.
GLASSY
This is a calm moment when you surf under some little or no offshore wind.
GNARLY
This means big and heavy waves which are often difficult.
GREMMIE or GREMLINE
This is an archaic term which was initially groms meaning young surfing.
GROMMET
This implies precious though a young surfer.
GUN
This is a long, narrow wave board which is very big.
HANG 10
While gliding down the wave, you may position yourself like drop lose over the board nose with toes. It is important to understand that there is nothing like cheating this position.
HANG FIVE or CHEATER FIVE
Draping the five toes over the board nose, though there is cheater five which implies placing more weight on the back foot. This is done by sticking the forward foot very far.
IMPACT ZONE
This is where the swell breaks very often and heavily.
KICK-OUT
When you ride controllably up the face and make a clear exit off the wave over the top.
KOOK
This is a poor surfer who keeps on making mistakes which ruin an experienced surfer's ride. He or she is always on the wrong place.
LIFT
These are forces on your surfboard that are generated to hold a surfer up.
LINED-UP
This is a term used to describe well developed and even swell.
LINEUP
Originating from the way surfers waited outside for waves, the term describes a place where surfers stay to wait for waves. However, today, none waits but served as they come.
LIP
This is the wave's part that will pitch forth from the crest.
LULL
This describes a time when waves either come in low sizes or even stop coming at all.
MUSH
This is a term used to describe a lowly breaking wave with less power.
OFF THE LIP
This is when you take through a wave using the wave's lip.
OFFSHORE
This describes a moment when the wind blows from land to sea which helps to stand the wave making it hollow.
OUTSIDE or OUT THE BACK
This is an area past the impact zone.
OVERHEAD
When surfing and the wave is higher than you, then it is said to be overhead.
PEAK
This is where a wave will break then peel in both directions or in a single direction.
PEEL OFF
This describes the act of a wave breaking and starting off in a particular place before zippering along in a clean long distance.
PET THE CAT
To enter the tube may require a surfer to pet the cat. This is slowing down by placing the hand in the wave's face and dragging through the water. This way, the speed is reduced and the surfer gets into the tube or even release easily out of the tube.
This describes the steepest and most powerful part of the wave.
POINT BREAK
This is an area from which waves generate since it is jutting into the sea. This makes waves to break on any side of the point.
PUMPING
This is a very powerful and good swell formed.
RASHGUARD or RASHIE
This is a slick material commonly used on its own or under a wetsuit. As the name suggests, it protects somebody from rashes which are caused by friction with the board or wax.
REEF BREAK
When a wave comes across a distinct reef that is contoured, they break in a very good shape. This point is called a reef break.
RIP
This is a channel of water that is running out all to sea.
ROGUE
When you face a relatively large wave which is considerably bigger than the rest during a session, this is called a rogue.
ROGUE WAVE
This is a very large wave that comes from outside and basically bigger than most of the waves you are likely to face.
SANDBAR
This is a characteristic of the ocean bottom which greatly influences the wave's shapes. The sandbars are moved by very large waves thus making the breaking points unknown. Mainly sandbars are found near the river mouths or beach break.
SET
This is a term used to describe a group of waves.
SIDE BITES
In a set up involving 3 fins, a side bites are those smaller outer fins.
SKEG
An old term used to refer to the fin of a surfboard.
SLIDE HANGER
This is a hanger that is used for wetsuits. It is designed such that it slides to allow the wetsuit position on the waist.
SLOP
This is very week surf.
SNEAKER SET
These are waves that suddenly come after everyone has waited long enough for outside waves until they paddle in to catch some. They are commonly referred to as clean up set.
SOUP
When a wave breaks, the white water that shows up is called soup.
SPIN OUT
While surfing, board fins could break loosely and come from the surface of water. This is called spin-out.
SPITTING A LIP
A wave could throw out the top most part of the wav, which creates a barrel. This is called spitting a lip. Always take care of a spitting lip because if hit on the head could be very painful.
STOKED
This describes a state of near-Nirvana. It accompanies a surf moment.
SUCKY
This is a hollow and heavy wave.
SURF NAZI
These are cowards who frequently fight with smaller surfers because of the break. They are generally locals who feel that they possess the break and no one should be there.
TAKE OFF
This is a surfing term used to describe the start of a surfing ride.
THE GREEN ROOM
Also known as the green cathedral, this is a barrel or tube of a given wave.
TRIM or TRIMMING
This means riding the board at an angle to the wave, sidelong down the length of the beach, instead of aiming straight at the beach as you ride. When riding, you may decide to do so at an angle to the wave. This is along the beach length instead of straightforward. This is termed as trimming.
TUBE
This is basically the inner side of any hollow wave.
VICTORY AT SEA
This refers to large, choppy surf. When you surf at large and choppy, it is called victory at sea.
WAHINE
This is term used for a female surfer.
WAX
While ridding, you need some wax on the deck of the board. This helps to avoid slipping off.
WETSUIT or WETTIE
During cooler moments, surfers wear a neoprene suit. This is called a wetsuit. It is advisable that it fits well only to allow little water in. The water is heated by body and helps to keep the surfer warm in cool places. The suit is measured in thickness.
WIPE OUT
This is a surfing term used to describe a moment when a surfer is knocked off the board or simply falls.
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