Understand this sport.
HIGH-PRESSURE SYSTEM :
A mass of high-pressure air rotating clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.
BACKFOOT :
A surfer who rides mainly off their back foot.
BACKSIDE :
Riding with your back to the face of the wave.
RIP CURRENT :
A channel of water formed between the shore and a sandbank.
BEACH BREAK :
A wave that breaks over a sandy seabed.
BODYSURFING :
Surfing with your body—the purest form of wave riding.
BOTTOM TURN :
A turn performed at the bottom of the wave.
CURL :
The heart and hollow of the wave, where it is most powerful.
LOW-PRESSURE SYSTEM :
A mass of low-pressure air rotating clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere.
SHOULDER :
The part of the wave that has not yet broken.
FLOW :
The surfer’s rhythm on the wave. A surfer with flow rides in perfect harmony with the rhythm of the wave.
FRONTFOOT :
A surfer who rides mainly off their front foot.
FRONTSIDE :
Riding while facing the wave.
GLASSY :
A smooth water surface with no wind—the perfect session.
GOOFY FOOT :
A surfer who rides with their left foot at the back.
INSIDE :
The area between the shore break and the waves farther offshore.
LEASH :
The cord connecting the surfer to their board.
LIP :
The crest of the wave.
MALIBU :
A fairly long and wide board, between 7 and 9 feet, with a rounded nose.
NOSE :
The front of the board.
OFFSHORE :
Wind blowing from the land toward the ocean—good for surfing because it hollows out the waves and helps form barrels.
OLD SCHOOL :
A classic, smooth surfing style with broad turns and maximum glide.
ONSHORE :
Wind blowing from the ocean toward the land, flattening the waves and creating chop—not ideal for surfing.
OUTLINE :
The overall shape of the board viewed from above.
OUTSIDE :
The area farther offshore.
PERIOD :
The time between two wave crests.
PEAK :
The point where the wave begins to break and the lip pitches over.
QUAD :
A surfboard with four fins.
QUIVER :
A surfer’s collection of different surfboards.
REEF BREAK :
A wave that breaks over a rocky or coral seabed.
ROCKER :
The curve of the board viewed from the side.
SESSION :
Time spent surfing.
SHAPING :
The process of making a surfboard.
SHAPER :
A person who designs and makes surfboards.
SHORE BREAK :
Waves that break directly on the shoreline.
SHORTBOARD :
A short, narrow board intended for experienced surfers.
SINGLE-FIN :
A surfboard with one fin.
SOFTBOARD :
A foam surfboard.
SPOT :
A place where people go to ride or surf waves.
TAIL :
The back of the board.
TAKE-OFF :
Standing up as you enter the wave.
TEMPLATE :
The overall shape of the board viewed from above.
THRUSTER :
A surfboard with three fins.
TWIN-FIN :
A surfboard with two fins.
WIDE POINT :
The widest point of the board.
WIPEOUT :
A fall during take-off, when the lip carries you forward—dive guaranteed.
IMPACT ZONE :
The area where the lip of the wave lands.
