Glossary of surfing

'List of surfing terminology - the sport of surfing has developed an extensive vocabulary related to the activity and the related culture of people who are involved with the sport.

Air/Aerial—riding the board briefly into the air above the wave, landing back upon the wave, and continuing to ride
Bottom turn—the first turn at the bottom of the wave
Carve—turns (often accentuated)
Caught inside- When a surfer is paddling out and cannot get past the breaking surf to the safer part of the ocean to find a wave.
Close-out—When the wave breaks in front of, or potentially on top of, the rider. A wave is said to be "closed-out" when the wave breaks at every position along the face at once.
Cutback—a turn cutting back toward the breaking part of the wave
Drop in—dropping into (engaging) the wave, most often as part of standing up
Duck dive—pushing the board underwater, nose first, and diving under an oncoming wave instead of riding it
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 up on the top of the breaking part of the wave, and coming down with it (invented at Terrigal Beach, Central Coast Australia)
Goofy foot—Left foot on back of board
Grom/Grommet—young surfer (anyone younger than you)
Hang Heels—Facing backwards and putting the surfers' heels over the edge of a longboard.
Hang-five/hang ten—putting five or ten toes respectively over the nose of a longboard
Hang-loose—Generally meaning "catch that wave" or "well done". This message can be sent by raising a hand with the thumb and pinkie fingers up while the index, middle and ring fingers remain folded over the palm. Then twisting the wrist back and forth as if waving goodbye.
Off the Hook—If a surfer were to say the swell is 'off the hook', he generally means that the surfspot he is referring to is of a good size, shape and look.
Off the Top—a turn on the top of a wave, either sharp or carving
Over the falls—When a surfer falls and the wave carries him in a circular motion with the lip of the wave, also referred to as the "wash cycle", being "pitched over" and being "sucked over" because the wave can suck the surfer off of the bottom and draw him or her "over the falls."
Pearl—accidentally driving the nose of the board underwater, generally 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—Right foot on back of 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
Shoulder—the unbroken part of the wave
Snake—When a surfer who doesn't have the right of way, steals a wave from another surfer.
Snaking, Drop in on, cut off, or "burn"—taking off on a wave in front of someone closer to the peak (considered inappropriate)
Snaking/Back-Paddling—paddling around someone to get into the best position for a wave (in essence, stealing it)
Snap—a quick, sharp turn off the top of 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 (i.e. left foot forward or right foot forward)—like being ambidextrous
Take-off—the start of a ride
Tube riding/Getting barreled—riding inside the hollow curl of a wave
Wipe Out—Falling off your surfboard while riding a wave. Accident while involved with surfing

See also