Here are 10 surf terms used by the broadcasters during the Mavericks 2014 Invitational. While most surfers may already know the meaning of these terms, we thought we’d give a quick introduction to some of the common terms heard for those of you who are new to surfing:
Rail: The edge of the board, on the sides.
Goofy foot: It is the name for surfers when they put their left foot on the back of the board while they are riding a wave.
Air drop: This is a extreme drop because it happens when the wave is standing super vertical or when you’re a little late on the wave…you literally drop in the air so the board loses contact with the water while you are dropping.
Whitewash: it’s the foam that the waves create after it breaks
Take off: This is the moment when you take the wave after paddling; the first moment when you start feeling that the wave is taking you on its crest
Bumps in the wave: This happens when we have onshore wind or some storms outside that makes the water pumpy and choppy.
Unfavorable winds: Wind conditions are probably one of the most important factors to get good waves, so the unfavorable winds come when it’s blowing on shore or even side shore
Big wave surfer: These are the most extreme surfers on the planet, they ride waves from 30 – 80 feet or some even at hundred feet. Extensive training is required, including the ability to hold one’s breath for up to 4 minutes.
18-19 second intervals: What the intervals show us are how consistent the waves are coming into shore. We want to have intervals over 14 or 15 seconds to get good conditions; if the interval is short, the water becomes more bumpy and the waves doesn’t break properly .
The face: This is the front of the wave and how we can judge the size of the wave.
We’re here to help you learn about surfing – for those just starting out to the more advanced surfers who want to take their sport to the next level.
Check out our Beginner’s Surf Trip video on YouTube to learn more!
Real Surf Trips in Playa Negra, Costa Rica provides its guests with first class accommodations, one-of-a-kind service and over 20 years of local surf knowledge, guaranteed to give you the Costa Rica Surf Trip you’ve been dreaming of!