Surfing Lingo and Definitions

What's the word you use to describe a big wipeout? What do you call a chump that shows up at the beach wearing surf gear but doesn't know how to surf? From hodads to shubees, check out this list of essential surfing lingo.

Booger - It's another word for a body boarder (it's also another word for those nasty things Simon picks out of his nose and flicks at Sindy).

Cut-Back - A 180 degree turn that's done on either of the two edges of the surfboard in order for the surfer to be positioned towards the breaking part of a wave.

Dropping In - Where a surfer catches a wave in front of another surfer who is closer to the breaking part of the wave. Dropping in is also known as cutting off and snaking.

Face - The front part of the wave. A surfer rides the face of the wave.

Fin - That's the triangular thing on the bottom of the board that gives the board balance and helps you control where you ride. Most boards have one fin but shorter boards will sometimes have three to give the board more balance.

Goofy-Foot - Rider who surfs with right foot as the lead foot and the left foot as the back foot.

Hang Ten - When a surfer has all ten toes on the nose of the board. This is an extremely difficult trick to pull off.

Hodad - A beginner or non-surfer.

For more surfing terms, click here.

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