Lexicon and vocabulary of Surfing

The sea and the waves

· Beach break : waves breaking on a sandy bottom.

· Curl : hollowest part of the wave.

· Right : wave rolling to the right of the starting surfer.

· Flat : ocean without waves.

· Left : wave rolling to the left of the starting surfer.

· Glassy : ocean offering a smooth gliding surface with no wind or offshore wind.

· Inside : wave breaking zone.

· Line up : area where surfers wait for the breaking of the wave.

· Peak : point where the breaking of the wave begins.

· Point break : breaking wave on rock bottom.

· Reef break : wave unrolling on a coral bottom.

· Set : wave series.

· Shore break : wave breaking directly on the edge of the shore.

· Spot : place where we surf.

· Swell : swell.

· Wind on shore : offshore wind crushing the waves.

· Offshore wind: land wind creating waves.

Surfing maneuvers

· Aerial : takeoff above the wave.

· Bottom turn : turn at the bottom of the wave and pick up speed.

· Cut back : long inside turn to return to the foam.

· Floater : controlled skid on the edge of the wave.

· Kick-out : jump behind the wave.

· Off the lip : turn on the lip of the wave.

· Re-entry : skating on the lip of a closing wave.

· Roller : turn at the top of the wave.

· Session : surf time.

· Take off : departure on the wave and first descent.

· Three sixty : full turn.

· Tube : the surfer enters the roll formed by the wave.

· Wipe Out : unclassifiable maneuver or very very beautiful fall.

Positions on the surfboard

· Backside : standing on the board.

· Frontside : standing facing the wave.

· Goofy foot : right foot forward.

· Natural foot : left foot forward (regular).

Surfing Gear

· Gun : big wave board, tapered, between 8' and 10'.

· Leash : cord that holds the board to the surfer.

· Lycra : anti-irritation T-shirt worn under the suit.

· Pad : non-slip.

· Shorty : wetsuit with short sleeves, short legs in neoprene.

· Wax : paraffin that is put on the board so as not to slip.

· Shaper : from English (shape). The one who designs and manufactures the board.