Lifestyle
If you just start surfing, knowing terms and slang that surfers use can help you learn faster and blend into the surfer community (also, it sounds cooler when you talk like a surfer!)
Here is a list of the most frequently used surfer slang that will help you crack the code.
Surfer lingo for waves
Barrel: the curl or hollow of the wave. Also known as a tube.
Bomb: a massive wave.
Choppy: rough waves due to wind conditions.
Ankle Busters / Snappers: small waves.
Swell: a group of waves that escapes from the storm in the ocean.
Groundswell: a wind swell is created by the wind blowing above the ocean.
Wind swells: waves are created by the wind blowing above the ocean close to the shore.
A-Frame: the perfect barreling surf, a cross-section of an A-frame wave reveals an "A" shape where it is breaking nicely.
Shoulder: the part of the breaking wave that is unbroken.
Closeout: when a wave breaks suddenly and all at once.
Set: a series of waves that are approaching the lineup.
Pocket: the power pocket of a barrel or powerful wave and where you want to position yourself.
Pit: the impact zone of the wave, or the most hollow part of the tube.
Peak: the spot in the ocean where the wave breaks for both sides.
Party wave: a wave that several people are surfing.
Overhead: when a wave is higher than an average surfer.
Inside: the area where waves end, as opposed to outside.
Outside: the place beyond the lineup; beyond the place where the waves break.
Mush/Mushburger: soft non-surfable waves, without any energy.
Messy: irregular and unpredictable waves.
Lip: the curling part of a wave.
Closeout: a closeout occurs when a wave breaks in one long line instead of peeling in sections. They are unrideable and offer no wall to surf on. Closeouts should be avoided if possible, as taking a closeout wave may result in injury.
Surfer lingo for important maneuver
Air or Aerial: This is a maneuver in which the board leaves the surface or the water/wave.
Bottom turn: a turn that is made at the bottom of the wave; a very important maneuver that sets the tone for the ride.
Carve: a maneuver that is a sharp turn on the face of the wave.
Bail: an evasive maneuver activated when a surfer is caught inside or when he is about to wipe out.
Floater: a surfing maneuver where the rider goes over the top of a crumbling section and ends up in the flats.
Kick out: a surfing maneuver done at the end of a wave ride to exit it.
Frequently asked questions about surfing slang
What is a female surfer called?
There is no specific term for a female surfer. You can call a girl who surfs just "surfer", although, there are terms like gurfer, wahine that are used to refer to a female surfer.
What is the surfer lingo for cool?
Choka, bitchin', awesome, great, etc.
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