Second Wave: Learn the Lingo

Surfing Glossary – Learn the Lingo

A-frame

A wave that peaks in the middle and breaks both left and right. Shaped like an “A.” Perfect for choosing your direction.

Aggro

Short for “aggressive.” Describes someone with a pushy or hostile vibe in the surf (not the energy we bring to Mindswell!).

Backhand / Backside

Riding a wave with your back facing it. For regular-footers, that means going left; for goofy-footers, going right.

Backwash

When a wave rebounds off the shore or rocks, creating a messy return wave. Can feel unstable underfoot.

Barrel / Barreling

When the wave curls over and forms a tube. It’s thrilling, and the dream ride for many.

Beach break

A wave that breaks over a sandy bottom. These are generally safer and ideal for learning.

Blown out

Choppy, messy conditions caused by onshore wind. Hard to surf and usually better for a coffee and a reset.

Bottom drops out

When a wave steepens suddenly, causing the surfer (and their stomach!) to drop fast. Feels intense.

Carve

A powerful, controlled turn on the face of the wave - like painting a clean line on the ocean.

Caught inside

Trapped in the impact zone between breaking waves and the shore. Time to keep calm, duck dive or turtle roll, and wait it out. Some surfers choose to sit here in the lineup.

Clipped

Getting hit by the lip of the wave. A quick, sometimes powerful wipeout depending on the size of the surf.

Closeout

A wave that breaks all at once instead of peeling. Not great to ride, but good to know how to get out of safely.

Cutback

A stylish move where the surfer turns back toward the breaking part of the wave to stay in the power zone.

Doggy door

A tight exit from a barrel before it closes out, can be fun or frantic, depending on timing! If you are a beginner it is most likely that you won’t experience this one for a while.

Down the line

Riding along the open face of a wave rather than straight toward shore. Where all the good turns happen.

Duck dive

A technique shortboarders use to dive under an oncoming wave while paddling out.

Epic!

Surf slang for “absolutely amazing.” Used when the waves, conditions, and vibes all line up perfectly.

Face (of the wave)

The unbroken, rideable part of the wave.

Foamie

A soft, beginner-friendly surfboard. Safer and more forgiving on wipeouts.

Frontside

Riding with your chest facing the wave. Usually feels more natural and offers better visibility.

Grom / Grommet

A young surfer (usually under 16), often fearless, fast-learning, and full of stoke.

Green wave

An unbroken, rolling wave. The goal after you graduate from whitewash practice.

Hang ten

Classic longboard move where all ten toes are placed over the nose of the board.

Impact zone

The area where the waves are breaking - avoid lingering here if you’re paddling out.

Inside

The area between the breaking waves and the shore. Often where beginners start, catching the whitewash.

Kick out

When a surfer deliberately exits a wave, often by turning over the back of it.

Late drop

Catching the wave right as it’s about to break - steep, fast, and tricky to pull off.

Line-up

The area beyond the break where surfers wait to catch waves. Kind of like the ocean’s version of a café queue.

Longboard

A bigger board (8–10ft+), ideal for smooth, cruisy rides, stylish turns, and learning to surf.

Noodle arms

That wobbly, cooked feeling in your arms after too much paddling. Time for rest and a snack.

Nose diving

When the front of your board dips under water while paddling or popping up, often leading to a wipeout.

Offshore winds

Wind that blows from the land out to sea, holding waves up longer and creating clean, glassy conditions. Surfer’s dream!

Outside

The deeper area past the impact zone where unbroken waves begin to form.

Over the falls

Getting sucked over the top of a breaking wave and thrown down with it. It happens - tuck and roll!

Paddle out

Heading from the shore into the surf to reach the line-up.

Party wave

Two or more surfers riding the same wave. Can be playful or chaotic - always check the vibe first.

Peak

The highest point of the wave, where it begins to break. Best place to take off.

Pop-up

The movement from lying down to standing on your board. One smooth move - a foundational skill.

Power zone

The steep, energetic part of the wave near where it’s breaking. Staying in this zone gives you speed, flow, and power for turns.

Reform

When a broken wave regains shape closer to shore. Great for longboarders and second-chance rides.

Rock jumping

Entering the surf from rocks instead of the beach. Risky and requires local knowledge - not advised for beginners.

Set

A group of waves arriving together, often with bigger or more powerful ones in the mix.

Shaka 🤙🏼

A Hawaiian hand gesture symbolising “hang loose,” friendship, and surf culture. Pinky and thumb out, shake it side to side.

Shoulder

The part of the wave away from the peak that hasn’t broken yet. Easier to ride and less crowded.

Snake

Someone who cuts in front of another surfer and steals their wave. Poor etiquette - definitely not a Mindswell move!

Stoked

The ultimate surf emotion. A mix of joy, pride, and saltwater bliss.

Takeoff

The moment you commit to the wave and pop up. Timing is everything.

Turtle roll

A technique for longboarders to flip their board and push through a wave when paddling out.

Whitewash

The foamy part of a wave after it breaks. A great place to build confidence as you learn.

Wipeout

Falling off your board. Happens to everyone - it’s how we grow, not fail.

Worked

Getting absolutely smashed by a wave or series of waves. Exhausting but often character-building!