SURF LINGO
A-frame: A wave with a peak in the middle. A-frame waves break on both sides, so two surfers can have the right of way.
Aggro: Aggressive.
Aerial: When the surfer launches off the wave, completely out of the water.
Bailing: Jumping off the board to save yourself from injury.
Barrel: The hollow inside of a curling wave. Every surfer wants to get barreled!
Bomb: Huge waves.
Carve: A sharp turn on the face of the wave.
Caught inside: When a surfer can’t get past the breaking waves.
Choppy: Inconsistent rough waves due to wind.
Closeout: When a wave breaks simultaneously all along its length.
Crest: The top of a wave. The crest is the wave’s highest point.
Curl: The breaking edge of the wave as it curls downward.
Cutback: A turn toward the breaking part of the wave. Surfers use cutbacks to stay in the pocket.
Snaking: Stealing a wave from another surfer by cutting ahead of them in the lineup.
Dropping in on Someone: When you try to catch a wave in front of a surfer who has the right of way.
Duck Diving: Pushing your surfboard down to dive below a wave.
Frontside: Surfing with your body facing the wave.
Glassy: When the conditions are so good that the waves are smooth like glass.
Grom: A young surfer. Grom is the shortened form of Grommet.
Inside: The space between the shore and the breaking waves. When the waves are too strong for a surfer’s paddling ability, they can be caught inside.
Kick out: Ending the ride by going over the top of the wave.
Line up: The area near the breaking waves where surfers wait for their turn.
Lip: The top of the wave that curls down.
Overhead: Waves that are higher than a surfer.
Party wave: A wave ridden by several people at the same time.
Pocket: The steep part of the face in front of the breaking wave. Surfers try to stay in the pocket for the most power.
Quiver: A surfboard collection.
Set: A series of waves, often in groups of 7 to 10. The period between sets is called a lull.
Shaka: A hand sign made by extending the thumb and pinky. The shaka is often used as a greeting between surfers.
Wipe out: Falling off your board. Even the best surfers wipe out!