Da Hui

Pronounced "dah-hoo'-ee". Originally a group of Hawaiian locals (calling themselves the Black Shorts) who set up in the 70's as a reaction to tourists who weren't respectful of the Hawaiian culture and the surf breaks. If you were disrespectful, Da Hui would inform you of such (usually with a little blood being spilled).
More Surf Lingo

Gassed

Getting wiped out on a wave.
More Surf Lingo

Noodle Arms

Refers to a surfers arms being exhausted from paddling.
More Surf Lingo

Aussie

Pronounced "aw'-see". Refers to an Australian.
More Surf Lingo

Period

The interval of time between waves. The closer the period, the more difficult it is to paddle out (on a beach break) because there's less time between breaking waves.
More Surf Lingo

Bitchin'

Old term for "really cool". Watch out, this term is making a come back.
More Surf Lingo

Sideslip

A maneuver where the board slides sideways, instead of in a forward motion.
More Surf Lingo

Inland Surfer

Someone who lives inland and has a good distance to travel to get to the surf.
More Surf Lingo

Nose Ride

A longboard maneuver – standing with both feet on the nose of the board.
More Surf Lingo

Surf Lingo

Pronounced "broh'-dad". An unfriendly term used to identify a wannabe surfer.
More Surf Lingo

Carve or Carving

Turning on a wave fairly sharply is called carving.
More Surf Lingo

Doggy Door

When two sections of a wave are closing out, it's the opening between the two where a surfer can exit without getting buried.
More Surf Lingo

Jam

Means to get going quickly, to hurry up.
More Surf Lingo

Brain Drain

When water is dripping out of a surfer's nose after a session, due to getting a bunch of water up the nasal cavity This drainage can sometimes occur at the most inopportune moments – like that business meeting you're in as you lean over to handout your presentation.
More Surf Lingo

Right or Breaking Right

A wave that breaks from left to right from the surfer's vantage point (i.e. as a surfer faces the beach from out in the water). So out in the water, facing the beach, a wave that breaks “right” would be moving towards the right. Observing from the shore, this would be just the opposite, and a “right” would be moving to the observer's left. Confusing?
More Surf Lingo

Slash

Similar to “snap”, but less instant. For example, if someone snaps a 180, they're changing direction almost instantly, whereas if someone is slashing a 180 they're making more of a hairpin turn to achieve it.
More Surf Lingo

Surf Lingo

Waves with no power or speed. You can catch and ride them, but they don't have any umph.or power.
More Surf Lingo

Onshore

When the wind is blowing from the ocean onto the shore. Usually makes for poorer surfing conditions.
More Surf Lingo

Fade or Stall

When a surfer slows down – often by making a lazy (slow) turn to let the wave advance a little more relative to where the surfer is.
More Surf Lingo

Peak

The highest point on an oncoming wave just before, or as, it's breaking. This is the point where the wave first breaks.
More Surf Lingo

Choppy

Bumpy water surface - as opposed to smooth or glassy.
More Surf Lingo

Hoodie

Basically a hooded sweatshirt.
More Surf Lingo

Surf widow

A wife or girlfriend, of a surfer, who doesn't see their surfer guy because he's always surfing. Nowadays we may see a few surf widowers as more female surfers take to the water.
More Surf Lingo

Oz

Refers to “Australia” (the land of Oz). Oz seems to have its origins from referring to Australia as Aus, which sounds like “Oz” when pronounced.
More Surf Lingo

Scratch

To paddle really really hard, like paddling for your life.
More Surf Lingo

Barney

A derogatory term used to identify a surfer who doesn't surf well. The term is from the Flintstones cartoon which characterizes a dimwit or a doofus.
More Surf Lingo

Boil or Rock Boil

A small area of water that almost looks like it's boiling – caused by the water flowing over a shallower rock or reef.
More Surf Lingo

Da Kine

Pronounced "dah-kiy'-n". Hawaiian term that can be used to mean just about anything. It's most often used to represent “the best”, but in pidgin English it's actually used for many many other meanings.
More Surf Lingo

Kelp Mooring

Refers to a surfer holding onto a strand of kelp to keep their location in the water. This also is used by ocean kayaks to keep from drifting away, either while fishing or doing some underwater diving. Not a strong mooring, but enough to do the trick.
More Surf Lingo

Reverse V

A bottom design where the stringer is lower than the rails (like the reverse of a concave). This design supports quicker rail to rail action – primarily designed for riding fast powerful waves.
More Surf Lingo