Deck: The top surface of the surfboard where the surfer stands.

Rocker: The curve of the board from nose to tail.

Fins: The small, often removable, fins on the underside of the board that help with stability and turning.

Rails: The edges of the surfboard that affect how it cuts through water.

Leash: A cord that attaches the surfer's ankle to the board, preventing it from getting lost.

Tail: The back end of the surfboard, where most turning happens.

Nose: The front end of the surfboard, important for paddling and takeoff.

Wax: Applied to the deck to provide grip.

Stringer: A strip of wood running down the middle of the surfboard for added strength and stiffness.

Traction Pad: A grippy pad often placed near the tail to help with foot placement.

Skeg: Another term for the fins on the bottom of the board.

Set: A group of waves that come in a series.

Peeling: A wave that breaks evenly from one side to the other.

Closeout: When a wave breaks all at once across its entire face, making it unsurfable.

A-Frame: A wave that breaks evenly on both sides, creating a peak.

Point Break: A wave that breaks along a point of land or rocks, often creating long rides.

Beach Break: Waves that break on a sandy bottom.

Reef Break: Waves breaking over a coral or rock reef.

Shoulder: The less-steep part of the wave next to the face, often easier to surf.

Tube: The hollow part of the wave where the surfer can ride inside, also called the barrel.

Lip: The top part of the wave as it curls over and breaks.

Foam: The white water after a wave breaks.

Lineup: The spot where surfers wait for waves.

Impact Zone: Where the waves are actively breaking.

Duck Dive: Pushing the board underwater to go beneath an oncoming wave (used with shortboards).

Turtle Roll: Flipping the board upside down and pulling yourself under a wave (used with longboards).

Takeoff: The moment when the surfer catches the wave and stands up.

Bottom Turn: The first turn made after dropping down the face of the wave, setting up for the rest of the ride.

Cutback: A sharp turn back toward the breaking part of the wave.

Snap: A quick, sharp turn at the top of the wave.

Floater: Riding on top of the broken wave's lip before dropping back down.

Hang Ten: Standing with all ten toes on the nose of a longboard.

Noseride: Riding the wave while positioned at the front (nose) of the board.

Kickout: Exiting the wave cleanly by turning back over the wave's top.

Paddle: Using your arms to move the board through the water and position yourself for waves.

Pump: Shifting your weight up and down on the board to generate speed on the wave.

Offshore Wind: Wind blowing from land out to sea, creating smooth, clean waves.

Onshore Wind: Wind blowing from the sea toward land, often making waves choppy.

Choppy: Rough, bumpy water caused by wind or currents.

Glass: When the ocean surface is smooth and glassy, ideal conditions.

Flat: No waves to surf.

Rip Current: A strong, narrow current moving directly away from shore, often dangerous.

Swell: The formation of waves generated by distant storms or winds.

Groundswell: Large waves created by distant storms that produce strong, well-formed waves.

Wind Swell: Smaller, less powerful waves created by local wind.

Sets: Groups of waves that come in intervals, often with bigger waves following smaller ones.

High Tide: When the ocean is at its highest, which can affect wave quality.

Low Tide: When the ocean is at its lowest, exposing more of the sand or reef and changing the wave dynamics.

Grom: A young or beginner surfer, often super stoked and fearless.

Stoked: Super excited or thrilled, often about a great wave or session.

Kook: A beginner or inexperienced surfer, often used derogatorily when someone lacks ocean knowledge or etiquette.

Shaka: The hand gesture with thumb and pinky extended, used as a symbol of aloha or good vibes.

Epic: Describing waves or conditions that are perfect for surfing.

Gnarly: Something intense, challenging, or awesome (can refer to big waves or tricky conditions).

Rip: To surf well and aggressively.

Dawn Patrol: Surfing early in the morning, usually at sunrise.

Goofy Foot: Surfing with the right foot forward on the board.

Regular Foot: Surfing with the left foot forward on the board.

Drop In: When one surfer takes off on a wave that another surfer is already riding—bad etiquette!

Party Wave: When multiple surfers ride the same wave at once, usually just for fun.

Wipeout: Falling off the board or crashing on a wave.

Closeout: When a wave breaks all at once, making it unsurfable.

Barney: A surfer with no skill or knowledge of surf etiquette.

Legend: A highly respected and experienced surfer.

Pitted: Getting deep inside the barrel of a wave, the ultimate ride.

Shred: Surfing with speed, style, and power.

Charging: Taking on big, challenging waves with confidence.

Over the Falls: When a surfer gets caught and tossed by the breaking lip of the wave.

Snake: A surfer who sneaks ahead of others in the lineup to steal a wave.

Lineup: The area where surfers sit, waiting for waves.

Bomb: A massive wave.

Glass Off: When the wind dies down in the evening, leaving the ocean smooth and glassy.

Priority: The surfer closest to the breaking part of the wave has the right of way.

Wait Your Turn: Respect the lineup and don’t try to steal other surfers' waves.

Don’t Snake: Cutting in front of someone already positioned for a wave is a big no-no.

Respect Locals: Be mindful of local surfers, especially when visiting new breaks.

Don’t Drop In: Never take a wave that someone else is already riding.