| CURL |
A part of a hollow or semi-hollow wave
that loops over as it breaks |
| CURVE |
Design feature (ie curve in bottom of
board) |
| CUTBACK |
The surfing manoeuvre used to change direction
and head back towards the breaking part of the wave |
| DECK |
The top surface of a surfboard |
| DING |
Damage to surfboard |
| DRIVE |
Acceleration on wave |
| DROP |
The initial part of the ride where you
head to the base of the wave |
| DROP IN |
To take off on a wave when rider is already
surfing |
| DUCK DRIVE |
Method of diving the board under an oncoming
wave on the way out through the break |
| EDGE |
Design feature on board (see rail) |
| ESKIMO ROLL |
Method of going under waves for Malibus
and wave skis |
| FACE |
Unbroken surface of a wave |
| FALL LINE |
The line of fastest descent to the base
of a wave (or mountain slope) |
| FIBREGLASS |
Woven glass cloth that, when saturated
with resin, provides the protective outer coating of a surfboard |
| FIN/FINS |
Small vertical projections on the rear
of the bottom of the surfboard used for stability and drive |
| FIN/FLIPPERS |
Swimming aid worn on feet |
| FLAT |
1. Surfless ocean
2. Powerless section of wave |
| FLICK OFF |
A manoeuvre used to kick the board clear
of the breaking wave |
| FOAM |
Folyurethane plastic material used to
make the core of the surfboard |
| FOREHAND |
Where the surfer stands facing the wave |
| GLASSY |
Smooth ocean surface conditions when there
is no wind |
| GOOFY FOOT |
A surfer who rides with his right foot
in front of his left |
| GROMMET |
Cheeky young surfer |
| GROUND SWELL |
Swell which has travelled a long distance
from where it has formed; characterised by evenness and length |
| GUN |
Large surfboard for riding big waves |
| HOLLOW |
Descriptive term denoting cylindrical
type of wave |
| HOT |
Slang term for a good quality wave |
| HUEY |
Legendary Cod of Surf |
| IMPACT ZONE |
The point at which the breaking wave lands
and exerts maximum force |
| INDICATOR |
Reef or sandbank seawards of surf spot
that shows when a set of waves is approaching |
| INSIDE |
1. Inthetube
2. Closest to curl on take-off
3. Shoreward of breaking wave |
| KNEEBOARD |
A surfboard, usually shorter, ridden on
the knees |
| KNEELO |
Kneeboard rider |
| LAYBACK |
Manoeuvre of the 80's where the surfer
is surfing on his backhand and lays out on his back on the wave face. |
| LEFT(HANDER) |
A wave breaking from left to right when
viewed from shore |
| LEG-ROPE |
A rubberised or urethane cord used to
attach the surfboard to the rider's ankle |
| LINE-UP |
The term used to describe the wave and
swell formation at a surfing location |
| LINED-UP |
Descriptive term indicating long even
swells |
| LIP |
The pitching edge of a HOLLOW or semi-hollow
wave |
| LOGGER |
Old Malibu |
| MALIBU |
1. Length 8'6" to 10'6" style of surfboard
from the 50's and 60's originally made of Balsa (plywood in Australia)
and eventually foam and fibreglass.
2. A beach in Southern California |
| NATURAL FOOT |
A surfer who rides with his left foot
in front of his right |
| NOSE |
The front of the surfboard |
| NOSE RIDING |
Surfing manoeuvre where the surfer stands
on the very front of the surfboard |
| OFF THE LIP |
Manoeuvre involving striking the breaking
lip of the wave |
| OFFSHORE |
Conditions when the wind is blowing off
the land |
| ONSHORE |
Conditions when the wind is blowing on
to the land |
| OUTSIDE |
A position beyond the line of breaking
waves |
| PEAK |
A wave whose maximum height is attained
over only a very small area, sloping
away to either side, produced by triangular reef or sandbank |