For Surfers: Surf Slang Dictionary !!!

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If you're planning on learn how to surf this summer, be sure that you can talk like a surfer before you walk on water. Surfers use a highly stylish and descriptive array of words and phrases in their communication. So check here for new ways to linguistically interact at the beach. There is more to a surfer's lexicon than "dude."

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Air to Fakie:
Definition: This is a relatively modern addition to surfing but has become very functional even in very small surf. An "air to fakie" is when the surfer punts an aerial and then lands backwards (tail first), usually on the wave face. The surfer and board briefly ride backwards until finally spinning a full 180 degrees back around. Also Known as: Air to Reverse. Examples: Dane was behind in the heat until he busted a fat air to fakie in the dying seconds to win the whole contest.
All-time:
Definition: Most surfers are blessed with the gift of hyperbole (overstatement), meaning that many things we say don't necessarily reflect reality. A perfect example is "all-time", a very positive adjective that describes something as bearing the best ever...of historical significance...of biblical proportions. The only problem is that you might hear someone use this term to describe several sessions a year or even a month, therefore, not truly being the best ever since every swell can't be more "all-time" than the last in the same way something can't be "more unique" or "more best". "All-time" is generally used to describe a session that you missed. Pronunciation: awl-time. Also Known as: Epic, Classic, Best-ever. Examples: What, you had to work yesterday? Well you blew it! The swell was all- time!
Amped:
Overdoing it; excited; stoked.
Anglin':
Turning left and/or right on a wave.
Ankle Busters:
Small waves.
Avalanche:
An outer reef surf spot on Oahu, Hawaii; the white water pouring down the face of a wave.
Awesome:
Great; fantastic (also see "Off the Richter," "Off the Wall," "Outrageous").
Back Down:
To decide not to take off on a wave.
Backdoor:
Definition: (Verb) To enter a barrel from behind the peak. This is a good way to get the deepest possible tube. (Noun)The legendary Hawaiian right-hander that breaks over a shallow reef on the North Shore of Oahu. Examples: I dropped in super late and had to backdoor the section to get tubed.
Baggys/Baggies:
Oversized, loose fitting boxer-type swim trunks worn for show or comfort by surfers.
Bail out:
To get away from, jump off, or dive off the surfboard just before a potential wipe out.
Banzai:
A gung-ho type of yell given by surfers as they shoot the curl (also see "Cowabunga").
Banzai Pipeline:
A surf spot on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii, between Waimea Bay and Sunset Beach; also called Pipeline (also see "Pipeline").
Barrel:
The breaking motion of a perfect wave; a hollow channel formed inside a good wave when it breaks and curls over.
Beach Bunny:
A girl who goes to the beach to watch surfing.
Beached:
Totally stuffed from eating.
Beaver tail:
A wet suit that features a snap-on crotch, the shape of which resembles a beaver's tail.
Big Gun:
A 9-foot or longer surfboard especially designed for large waves.
Big Surf:
Extremely large waves (also see "Bombora," "Heavies").
Bitchin:
(also "Bitchen") Very good; tops; excellent (also see "Boss," "Excellent," "Primo," "Rad").
Blow it:
Definition: (Verb) To ruin a great surfing opportunity. For the record, "Blowing it" doesn't
always end with a wipe out. In fact, One can blow it by simply avoiding a barrel or missing a
good wave. Even sleeping in during a good swell can evoke the statement, "You blew it!” Also
known as: Goon out, Dork it, shank it. Examples: That guy in the white jersey had the heat won,
but he blew it on the last wave.

Blown Out:
Winds blowing so hard as to chop up the surf and render it unridable.
Body Surfing:
Riding the waves without a surfboard.
Bogus:
False; lame; ridiculous; unbelievable.
Bombin’:
Definition: This slangy adjective describes waves when they are at their biggest and most
powerful. The size of bombin' waves is relative to where you live. A bombin' day in Hawaii
might be 10-12 feet and ferocious while a bombin' day in Florida might be 3-4 feet and
fun(many local crews have their own variation on this term). Also Known as: blowin' up, goin'
off, goin' richter, firing
Bombora:
An Australian word that refers to a big wave that breaks outside the normal surf line.
Bone Yard:
The area where the waves break.
Boogie Board:
A soft, flexible foam bodyboard invented in the 1970s (unlike a surfboard, a boogie board is ridden lying down).
Boss:
Outstanding; the best (also see "Bitchin," "Excellent," "Primo," "Rad").
Brah:
Definition: It seems for the sake of space, time, and effort, surfers shortened "brother" to "bro"
and "brah", therfore creating a concise pronoun to mean friend. Surfers have an almost endless
supply of terms for friend or cohort which is, I think, symbolic of our innate brother and
sisterhood. "Brah" is one of these words; however, like the word "dude", it may take on other
connotations in different contexts. Also Known as: bro, brother, brudda, broham, my man...The
list is endless. Examples: (Friend) Hey brah, we have got to take a trip to Costa this summer. (Not a friend) Ho brah, paddle in and go back to the mainland already before you get doughnuts(black eyes).
Breaker:
Any wave that breaks on the way to the beach.
Breakwater:
A line of large boulders, cement, and/or steel extending out into the water and designed to reduce shoreline erosion.
Bro:
(also "Bra") Short for "brother" (also see "Dude").
Bummer:
Too bad; a total drag.
Bunny:
(see "Beach Bunny")
Carve:
To make a radical turn (also see "Hot-Dogging," "Shred").
Catch a Wave:
To ride a breaking wave.
Climbing:
To carve an S-shaped path on a wave, making a radical
Dropping:
bottom turn, climbing to the wave's crest, then radically cutting back
Channel:
Definition: A spot of deep water where the surf doesn't usually form; it's a good place to paddle
out to the lineup. Beach breaks don't normally have a discernible channel, but reef breaks such
as Pipeline and Sunset Beach in Hawaii have nice easy areas to paddle out. This poses a
problem only when novice surfers are able to easily access dangerous surf or when the swell
rises so large that waves break through. Pronunciation: chan*nel. Also Known as: calm water.
Examples: The surf was so big that most guys were sitting in the channel watching.
Cheater Five:
Five toes on the nose - keep your weight back on the board to maintain trim and speed,
squat down and extend one foot forward
Coffin:
Riding a surfboard while lying stiffly on one's back with arms crossed.
Cowabunga:
(also "Kowabunga") A yell of excitement by a surfer (also see "Banzai").
Crest:
The top portion of a wave.
Cruncher:
A big, hard-breaking wave that folds over and is almost impossible to ride.
Curl:
The portion of the wave that is spilling over and breaking.
Cut Back:
A cutback is a maneuver for intermediate and advanced surfers that keeps the rider in the
power of the wave. After gliding out past the breaking whitewater section of the wave, the
surfer guides the board back toward the whitewater. This not only prolongs the length of a
ride but also gives the surfer more possibility for speed and maneuverability. Also known as:
cutty, slashback, roundhouse. Examples: That guy ripped three cutbacks on that last wave.
Cut out:
To pull out of the wave, like kicking out.
Dawn Patrol:
Definition: The act of arriving at the beach before morning light. It takes a dedicated athlete to
achieve this. Several things can interfere with a quality dawn patrol: fog, very cold weather,
very young children, old age, and beer. Examples: We dawn patrolled the Point this morning, and the wind was off shore. You missed it!
Delamination:
Definition: The term "delamination" refers to a common surfboard problem occurring when the
outer fiberglass coating separates from the foam core which is called a "blank". This forms a
bubble of air that will split open if left untreated. This can also lead to water-weight, yellowing,
and dangerously sharp edges. Delamination occurs most commonly from age and most horribly
from leaving your board in a car in the hot sun.
Ding:
A hole, crack, dent, or scratch on the surface of a surfboard.
Doggers:
Multicolored swimming trunks.
Dork:
Someone behaving inappropriately (also see "Geek," "Kook").
Double Spinner:
Two consecutive 360-degree body spins on a surfboard.
Drop Knee:
One foot on the bodyboard, with the other hanging off the back. Difficult and fun.
Dude:
A male surfing enthusiast (women are referred to as "dudettes").
Dweeb:
A geek; someone who acts or looks like a simpleton.
Eat It:
To fall off of a surfboard (also see "Wipe Out").
El Rollo:
Lying prone on a surfboard and holding on to the sides while rolling 360-degrees during a ride.
Excellent:
Great; fantastic; exceptional (also see "Bitchin," "Boss," "Primo," "Rad").
Face:
The unbroken wall, surface, or nearly vertical front of a wave.
Fer Sure:
The surfer pronunciation of "for sure," meaning absolutely, correct, or definitely.
Fins:
Definition: Fins act as keels under a surfboard. They dictate both direction and
maneuverability. Fins can be made of fiberglass or plastic and can be glassed in
as a permanent fixture or screwed in with a special system that allows removal at your
discretion. The most basic configurations for fins are in groups of three, two, or even as a single
entity. Also known as: skegs. Examples: When the surf is really small, I take out my third fin,
so my board turns more quickly.
Geek:
Someone behaving inappropriately (also see "Kook," "Dork").
Glasshouse:
(see "Green Room")
Glassy:
A smooth water surface condition caused by absence of local winds.
Gnarlatious:
Anything that's really great or awesome.
Gnarly:
Treacherous; large and dangerous. Also bitchin
Goofy-Foot:
Riding a surfboard with the right foot forward (left foot forward is the more common stance).
Green Room:
The space inside of a tube.
Gremlin:
A young hodad; a beginning surfer (also see "Grommet").
Gremmy/Gremmie:
(See "Hodad")
Grommet:
A young hodad; a beginning surfer (also see "Gremlin").
Ground Swell:
Large waves generated by distant storms.
Gun:
A large surfboard designed for very big waves (see "Big Gun").
Hairy:
(see "Gnarly")
Hang Five/Ten:
To place five (or ten) toes over the nose of the surfboard (also see "Toes on the Nose").
Head Dip:
Touching the water with your head while surfing.
Headstand:
Standing on one's head while riding a wave.
Heavies:
Very big waves usually higher than 12 feet.
Hit the Surf:
To go surfing.
Honker:
A really big wave (also see "Heavies," "Bombora").
Hot-Dogging:
Fancy surfing done by a skilled surfer.
Hodad:
A non-surfer, usually someone who just hangs around the beach.
Honeys:
Female surfers or girlfriends of surfers.
Huarache Sandals:
Leather sandals worn by surfers with a sole made from tire treads.
Impact Zone:
Definition: The spot where a surfer receives the worst beating after wiping out or paddling out.
This is where the waves break most consistently and ferociously. The impact zone is where the
falling lip of each set wave usually meets the water. Also known as: pit washing machine.
Examples: After that last wave, I got caught in the impact zone, snapped my board, and had
to swim to the beach.
Jetty:
(see "Breakwater")
Kahuna:
The Hawaiian god of sun, sand, and surf.
Kamikaze:
Riding the board at the nose with arms held straight out to each side.
Kick Out:
To push down on the tail of a surfboard to lift and turn the nose over the top of the wave.
Knots:
Callouses, or calcium deposits, just below the knee and on the tops of the foot caused by kneeling on the surfboard.
Kook:
The word "kook" is one of the most hurtful words in surfing. To be called a "kook" means that
you can't surf well, have a terrible style, talk trash, or even snake your fellow surfers. Maybe
you do all these things at once. Kooks have been around since the birth of surfing. I'm sure even the Duke had to deal with couple of them over in Waikiki back in the day. The problem is
that it seems that the worst kooks of them all don't realize the extent of their own kookdom.
Also Known as: dork, spaz, Barney, geek, Adolf, Wilbur. Common Misspellings: kuke.
Examples: Those kooks from down south are dropping in on everyone today!
Kowabunga:
(see "Cowabunga")
Kuk:
(see "Kook")
Leash:
A cord attaching the surfer's ankle to the surfboard. Also known as: cord
Lineup:
Definition: The calm, deep area beyond the breaking waves where a surfer waits for the next
wave. Also known as: outside. Examples: The surfer paddled out to the relative calm of the
lineup after being pelted by a long set of waves.
Locked In:
Firmly set in the curling portion of the wave with water holding down the tail of the board.
Log:
Slang for pre-foam board made of wood.
Longboard:
A surfboard eight to ten feet long.
Max Out:
To be over the limit.
Meatball:
The yellow flag with the black circle indicating "No Surfing".
Mondo:
Something huge; of epic proportions.
Mysto Spot:
Definition: (Noun)a surf break that only works under ideal or rare conditions (e.g. swell and wind direction). Or a spot that breaks on a far away reef and is difficult to view from the beach.
Also Known as: cloudbreak, secret spot. Alternate Spellings: misto spot. Examples: When the wind blew out all the spots up north, I headed south and rode a mysto spot. It was bombin'.
Nailed:
To get badly wiped out.
Neptune Cocktail:
The large bellyful of seawater that one ingested during a particularly gnarly wipeout. Usually happened concurrently with the Sand Facial.
Nose:
The bow or front end of a surfboard.
Nose-Dive:
Definition: The act of wiping out due to the unintentional submerging of the nose or tip of
the surfboard while riding or taking off on a wave. Also kwon as: endo, eating it, wiping out,
ate it, face plant. Examples: Smitty totally had that drop, but he took a nose-dive on his
bottom turn and got crushed.
Off the Richter:
Used to describe something that's very good, excellent, or "off the scale" (also see "Awesome," "Off the Wall," "Outrageous").
Off the Wall:
Incredible, excellent (also see "Awesome," "Off the Richter," "Outrageous").
Old school:
Definition: (Adjective) Describes any style, technique, or product from a prior era in surfing. This term can be used as serious commentary, nostalgic approval, or tongue-in-cheek sarcasm. Pronunciation: old skool. Also Known as: Ghetto. Examples: With all the young surfers becoming experts in aerial acrobatics, floaters and re-entries may soon be considered old school.
Outrageous:
Incredible, excellent (also see "Awesome," "Off the Richter," "Off the Wall").
Outside Break:
The area farthest from shore where the waves are breaking.
Over the Falls:
To wipe out, or to get dragged over as the wave breaks.
Pearl:
Driving the nose of a surfboard under water to stop or slow down the ride. The term is borrowed from "pearl diving."
Pendleton:
A brightly colored plaid wool or flannel shirt worn by some surfers.
Pipeline:
A surf spot on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii, between Waimea Bay and Sunset Beach; also called Banzai Pipeline. Originally named by surfing filmmaker Bruce Brown (also see "Banzai Pipeline").
Pit:
Definition: A common term referring to the trough (bottom curve) of a very hollow wave. The
pit is where the most critical of bottom turns must be completed and where a surfer must
navigate in order to set his/her line through the tube. Also known as: gut, innards.
Examples: Mate, did you see that last wave? That guy just dropped into the pit and got worked!
Point Break:
A type of surf break where waves wrap around a promontory of land and curl as they break. A classic example of a point break is located at Rincon, California, just south of the Santa Barbara/Ventura County line.
Poser:
A surfer "wanna-be"; someone who only dresses the part.
Pounder:
A hard-breaking wave.
Prone:
Ride with your belly on the board. The most common and easiest way to ride a bodyboard.
Prone Out:
Pulling out of a wave by dropping to your belly causing the nose to go under water and the tail to turn around.
Primo:
The best (also see "Bitchin," "Boss," "Excellent," "Rad").
Pull Out:
To steer a surfboard over or through the back of a wave to end a ride.
Punt:
Verb) to launch your surfboard into the air above the wave. Effective punting is characterized by a quick release from the water and high altitude above the breaking lip.Pronunciation: punt. Also known as: air, aerial, air-reverse, rodeo flip, blast. air-to-fakie
Quasimoto:
Riding forward in a hunched-over position; riding a wave on the nose of a surfboard in a crouched position with one arm forward and one arm back, named by surfer Mickey Muöoz.
Rad/Radical:
Very good; tops; excellent (also see "Bitchin," "Boss," "Primo," "Excellent").
Rails:
The rounded edges of the surfboard.
Rash:
Definition: Painfully red knobs of flesh that rise from some of your more sensitive areas in
response to the rubbing and chafing on the waxed deck of your surfboard. Stomach rash is
common with new wax or if you haven't surfed in a while. A rashy crotch can occur from ill-
fitting baggies, wax irritation, sand, sea-lice, or even some other non-surfing activities that shall
remain nameless. Also known as: chafe. Examples: Aaaagh! I want to stay out longer, but this
rash is killing me!
Re-Entry:
Attacking the lip, usually going vertically and then turning nose down and re-entering the wave.
Rip:
Definition: (Verb) To surf with speed, power, and precision; to surf better than usual. Also
known as: shred, tear, kill it. go off, go haywire, schralp. Examples: Brad was never a very
accomplished surfer, but after returning from that Mexico trip, he has been ripping.
Ripping:
Executing drastic and radical moves on the wave. Having it your way with a wave.
Sand Facial:
The result of wiping out and being dragged along the bottom, face first.
Sano:
Abbreviated form of San Onofre; also means a very clean, nicely contoured wave condition.
Selling Buicks:
The process of reversing the ingestion of the dreaded Neptune Cocktail. After selling Buicks, it was generally assumed that one day at the beach was pretty much over.
Session:
Definition: (Noun) A time period spanning from when you paddle out until you return to the
beach. A session is one complete surfing period. If you are married with a family, you may also
factor in travel and lunch into your "session" time. Also known as: A sesh,A go out, A surf,
"grab a few waves"
Set:
A group of waves.
Shape:
The configuration, or form, of a wave.
Shoot the Curl:
Riding a surfboard through, or in and out of, the hollow part of the wave formed as it crests over. Shoot the Pier:
Riding a surfboard in between the pilings of a beachside pier.
Shoot the Tube:
(see "Shoot the curl")
Shore Break:
Waves break very close to the beach.
Shred:
To surf aggressively (also see "Hot-Dogging).
Sidewalk Surfing:
Skateboarding.
Skeg:
The fin at the tail end of a surfboard.
Snake:
Definition: "Snake" is a verb meaning to take another's wave against his will. When you get
snaked, it means that either someone took off in front of you, thus ruining your ride, or
someone turned around inside of you and called you off the wave. Either way, getting snaked
sucks! It is a cut in the very fabric of what surfers hold as true. Don't snake your fellow
surfer!. Also Known as: burn, work, hop, rip, drop in. Examples: Dang! That kook snaked me
on my best wave of the day!
Soup:
The foamy part of the broken wave; the white water.
Spin Out:
The result of a surfboard's skeg and tail end losing contact with the wave face and the surfer wipes out.
Spinner:
A surfer making a complete 360-degree turn in an upright position while the surfboard keeps going straight (also called a "360").
Sponger:
Somebody that bodyboards.
Stick:
Surfboard.
Surfs Up:
Waves are breaking and surfable.
Stance:
Definition: Stance is the way in which a surfer stands on his/her board. There are two "stances."
A surfer can stand as a "regular foot" with his/her left foot leading and right foot on the rear or
tail of the board. On the contrary, if a surfer stands the opposite way, that is with the right foot
forward and left foot on the tail, this is termed "goofy foot." Rivalries between goofies and
regulars are common, but there is really no advantage to either. Examples: A truly gifted surfer
can switch his stance from goofy to regular depending on the wave.
Stoked:
Happy; excited; contented.
Stringer:
The wood strip running down the center of the board; sometimes used for design.
Surf Bunny:
A surfer's girlfriend; a female surfer (also see "Beach Bunny").
Surfari:
A surfing trip; a hunt for good surf.
Swells:
Unbroken waves moving in groups of similar height and frequency.
Tail:
The stern or rear end of a surfboard.
Tail Slide:
Part of a larger maneuver in which the surfer purposely makes his/her fins lose their grip and the board slides.
Takeoff:
The start of a ride.
Taking Gas:
To wipe out.
Tandem:
Two people riding on a surfboard at the same time, usually a man and woman.
360:
(See "Spinner")
Toes on the Nose:
Riding a surfboard with the toes hanging over the front end (also see "Hang Five/Ten")
Tube:
The hollow portion of a wave formed when the crest spills over and makes a tunnel or hollow space in front of the face of the wave. (The Green Room) Also known as: barrel, shack, green room
Tubed:
Riding inside the "tube".
Val:
Person from the San Fernando Valley, as referred to by persons living in the L.A.-area beach cities.
Walking the Board:
Walking back and forth on the surfboard to maintain control.
Walking the Nose:
Moving forward on the board toward the front or nose.
Wax:
Substance applied to the top, or deck, of surfboards for traction.
Wedge, The:
A famous, but dangerous, body surfing spot located at the tip of the Balboa peninsula in Newport Beach, California.
Wet Suit:
A neoprene rubber suit used by surfers to keep warm.
Wipe Out:
To fall off or be knocked off your board (also see "Eat It").
Woodie:
A station wagon, made in the '40s and '50s, with wood paneling on the sides.