41 Terms Every Surfer Should Know

Surfing isn’t just a sport—it’s a whole world with its own language. Whether you’re just starting out or finally paddling into the lineup with confidence, these are the words and phrases you’ll want to know.

#1 — Stoked

That electric buzz of pure joy you feel before, during, or after a surf session. Once you start surfing, you’ll find yourself using this word a lot—because nothing compares to being stoked.

#2 — Lineup

The zone just beyond the breaking waves where surfers wait their turn to catch a ride. The lineup works like an unspoken queue: the surfer closest to the peak has priority. Good etiquette matters—don’t snake or cut the line!

#3 — Set

A group of waves arriving together, usually two or more. Surfers watch for sets because they tend to bring the biggest, cleanest waves worth riding.

#4 — Whitewater

The foamy, rolling aftermath of a broken wave. Beginners often start here near shore to practice balance, timing, and pop-ups. Even advanced surfers deal with whitewater—it’s the gauntlet you paddle through to reach the lineup or the playful push that carries you all the way to the beach at the end of a session.

#5 — Kook

A not-so-flattering term for a surfer who doesn’t know proper etiquette or creates a hazard in the water. We’ve all had kook moments, especially when learning—just stay humble and keep progressing.

#6 — Swell Period / Wave Period

The time, in seconds, between two consecutive waves passing the same point. A longer period means more powerful, better-shaped waves. Surf forecasts list this number because it’s key to predicting wave quality.

#7 — Offshore vs. Onshore

Offshore: Wind blowing from land toward the ocean. Ideal for surfing because it holds waves up, creating clean, rideable faces.
Onshore: Wind blowing from the ocean toward the shore. Not ideal—these winds crumble the lip and make waves close out faster.

#8 — Caught Inside

When you’re trapped between the shore and the breaking waves with no clear escape route. This usually happens after a wipeout or when a massive set rolls through. Stay calm, keep paddling, and duck dive or turtle roll until you make it back to the channel or lineup.

#9 — Quiver

A surfer’s personal collection of boards, each designed for different conditions—small-wave grovelers, sleek step-ups, trusty longboards, and maybe even a fun fish or two.

#10 — Leash

A vital safety tool: the cord that attaches your board to your ankle. It keeps your board close and prevents it from becoming a hazard to others.

#11 — Drop In

Catching a wave that someone else is already riding—surfing’s biggest faux pas. It ruins their ride and can be dangerous. Always respect priority rules in the lineup.

#12 — Goofy Footed vs. Regular Footed

Your natural surf stance:

Goofy-footed: Right foot forward, left foot back.
Regular-footed: Left foot forward, right foot back.

#13 — Duck Dive

A technique used with shortboards to dive under an oncoming wave. Push the board’s nose deep, follow with your body, and glide beneath the turbulence. Mastering this makes paddling out much easier.

#14 — Pocket

The steep, powerful part of a wave just ahead of the breaking lip. Staying near the pocket keeps you fast and in control—and it’s where you need to be if you’re chasing the holy grail of surfing: the barrel.

#15 — Cutback

A smooth carving maneuver where a surfer changes direction, turning back toward the wave’s pocket to regain speed and flow. It’s a must-learn move for intermediate surfers.

#16 — Barrel

The hollow tunnel created when a wave breaks just right. Riding inside a barrel—also called getting tubed or pitted—is the ultimate dream for many surfers.

#17 — Overhead

When the wave’s face is taller than the surfer standing upright. Other size terms include knee-high, waist-high, and shoulder-high.

#18 — Bomb

A massive, heavy wave that dwarfs the rest of the set. When a bomb rolls through, paddle hard for safety—or to position yourself for the ride of your life.

#19 — Pop-Up

The quick movement from lying on your board to standing. It’s the first skill every surfer learns, and one you’ll continue to refine as waves get faster and more powerful.

#20 — Wipeout

Falling off your board mid-ride. Everyone wipes out—even pros. Take a deep breath, shake it off, and paddle back for another try.

#21 — Rag-Dolled

Getting violently tumbled underwater during a wipeout, like being tossed in a washing machine. Protect your head and stay calm until you resurface.

#22 — Going Over the Falls

A dramatic type of wipeout where a surfer gets sucked up and over the lip of a breaking wave, free-falling into the impact zone. Painful, but unforgettable.

#23 — Thruster

A surfboard with three fins—the most common modern setup. It balances speed, control, and maneuverability.

#24 — Twin Fin

A board with two fins, often paired with fish-shaped boards. Twin fins deliver speed and a skate-like, loose feel.

#25 — Hang Ten

A classic longboard move where the surfer walks to the nose and hangs all ten toes over the front edge. Timeless style points included.

#26 — Ding

Any crack or dent in your board. Fix it before your next session—waterlogged boards get heavy and can even become unsurfable.

#27 — Dawn Patrol

An early morning surf session, often at sunrise. Fewer crowds, glassy waves, and the magic of greeting the day from the ocean.

#28 — Shorebreak

Waves that break directly on the shoreline. Fun to watch but tricky—and sometimes dangerous—to navigate when entering or exiting the water.

#29 — Closeout

When a wave breaks all at once from end to end, leaving no open face to ride. Expect a wipeout if you go for it.

#30 — Indo

Surf slang for Indonesia, home to some of the world’s best waves and a top destination for surf travelers.

#31 — Pura Vida

A Costa Rican phrase meaning “pure life.” Used as a greeting, farewell, or simply to express joy and gratitude. You’ll truly understand it once you’ve experienced Costa Rica’s laid-back surf culture.

#32 — Gnarly

Something extreme, intense, or wild. “That wipeout was gnarly!” or “That wave was totally gnarly!”

#33 — Shaka

The iconic surf hand sign: thumb and pinky extended, middle fingers curled in. A universal gesture of aloha, good vibes, and stoke.

#34 — Session

Your block of time spent surfing. A session can be mellow or epic, but either way, it’s the highlight of the day.

#35 — Aerial

An advanced trick where the surfer launches off the lip and lands back on the wave. High risk, high style.

#36 — Heat

A competitive surfing round where surfers battle to score the highest waves within a set time limit.

#37 — Perfect 10

The highest possible score in a surf competition—a flawless ride celebrated by surfers worldwide.

#38 — A-Frame

A perfectly peaked wave that breaks evenly to both sides, creating two rideable directions. Perfect for sharing with a friend—one goes left, the other right.

#39 — Party Wave

When multiple surfers ride the same wave together. Fun with friends, but a breach of etiquette in serious sessions.

#40 — Bottom Turn

The foundational turn made at the base of a wave right after takeoff. A solid bottom turn sets up every move that follows.

#41 — Surf Skate

A skateboard designed to mimic the flowing motion of surfing. Great for practicing turns and carving on land when the ocean’s flat.

Surf Slang