Surfing Glossary

Surfers have their own language. Here are the terms you'll hear in lessons and read in forecasts.

Beach break — A wave breaking over a sandy bottom, like Jaco Beach. Sandbanks shift, so it changes over time. See Jaco Beach surfing.

Break — Any place where waves break and people surf.

Closeout — A wave that breaks along its whole length at once, leaving no open face. See How to Read Waves.

Duck dive — Pushing a smaller board under an oncoming wave while paddling out. See How to Paddle.

Goofy stance — Riding with your right foot forward.

Inside — The area closer to shore, where waves have already broken.

Leash — The cord attaching your board to your ankle.

Lineup — Where surfers wait for waves, just beyond where they break. See Etiquette.

Offshore wind — Wind blowing from land to sea. It usually creates cleaner waves.

Onshore wind — Wind blowing from sea to land. It usually makes waves choppy.

Outside — The area further out to sea, beyond the breaking waves. Someone shouting "outside!" means a bigger set is coming.

Peak — The highest point of a wave, where it starts breaking.

Rash guard — A tight lycra top protecting against sun and board rash. See What to Wear.

Regular stance — Riding with your left foot forward.

Rip current — A current flowing out to sea. See Surf Safety.

Set — A group of larger waves arriving together.

Shoulder — The unbroken part of a wave sloping away from the peak.

Swell — Energy from distant winds travelling across the ocean as waves. See Understanding Swell.

Takeoff — The moment you catch the wave and stand up. See How to Stand Up.

Turtle roll — Rolling upside down under a longboard to let a wave pass over you when paddling out.

Whitewater — The foam after a wave breaks. Where beginners start. See How to Catch Your First Wave.

Back to the Jaco Surf Academy.