Women's Surf Camp » Surf Etiquette

Fun Surf Lingo Everyone Should Know

Thu, 05 Aug 2010 13:33:18 +0000

Let’s begin with with the letter A and continue throughout the year! Here are some fun surf lingo terms that you should know. Thanks Rippin H2O for your great and entertaining list.




ACCESSORY MAN	Person who gets every piece of surf gear imaginable – rash guard, booties, helmet, gloves ect.
ACE	To be alone or in a solitary state of mind.
ACETONE	A cleaning solvent and/or cutting agent used in surfboard manufacturing. Nasty stuff…highly flammable and toxic.
ACHE; ACHING	Description for how you feel after being rag dolled, worked by a bomb or after a physically intense session.
ACID DROP	When you take off on a wave and suddenly have the bottom fall out as you free fall down the face.
ACTION	Something that is either dumb or a mean act. If you pull an action, you do something dumb or just plain mean. Also a term used to modify another term, as in :”check out the action of that rip.”
AERIAL	When the wave your riding sends your board above it into the air. An advanced maneuver that involves taking off from the lip of the wave, travelling some distance in the air, then (in theory) landing back on the face of the wave and continuing the ride.
A FAT SHACK	To get so pitted and spit out and punch threw the back brah.
A – FRAME	Large wave that forms with distinct shoulders on either side (left and right) of the peak. Can result in two surfers surfin the same wave . . . one going frontside and the other going backside.
AGG	To go crazy.
AGGRO	Always aggressive.
AHHHHHH YAH	Said only by the man himself John Wyatt visit jacksonville Florida and u`ll hear all about this ahhh yah!!
AIR	Anytime a surfer and their board leave the face of the wave to become air borne.
AIRDROP	A very late takeoff when the surfer drops through the air to the bottom of the wave.
AKAW!!	Something surfers shout when they spot a huge perfect wave, or when they are shocked or surprised.
ALIHAM	Totally hot surfer chicks.
ALLRIGHT DUDE	Radical wave man….lingo for doped up water head logged surfer.
ALL SKATE	When more than one person shares a wave on a slow day. The only rideable bump comes through in the past hour and someone shouts, “All Skate”.
ALOHA	(uh-LOW-hah)A Hawaiian word used in place of hello and goodbye.
ALOHA SPIRIT	Traditionally from the Hawaiian way of life preaching peace and fellowship to all..currently used by surf weasels to mask their kookdom.
AMPED	1. Stoked – charged up – fired. 2. Excited; stoked; cant wait.(see STOKED)
AN EMMA	Term for an ultimate hot surfer chick.
ANKLE SNAPPER	Tiny waves…not worth riding. Also known as Ankle Breaker(East Coast).
AS IF!	Yeah right! – Whatever.
ASP	Association of Surfing Professionals, resposible for organising the annual world professional surfing circuit leading to the crowning of the world champion.
ATE IT	Biffed it – Bit the dust- Crashed.
AWESOME	Great – Gnarly – Cool.
AXED	Hit by the lip of the wave leading to a wipeout.

SurfersDesk:: The Barneys Guide to Surf Etiquette

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 13:47:17 +0000

I love the guys and gals from Surfsdesk.com. I subscribe to their RSS blog feed as it features some great info about SURFING! Being a traveling surfer, I could relate to the info below and thought you would enjoy it to! Make sure to check out Surfersdesk.com. Enjoy!

The standard rules that EVERY surfer should know..local or traveler.

1. Closest surfer standing to the curl has priority. If you are standing on the wave, you look behind you and some person is there… get off the wave

2. Paddle around the wave, not through it.

3. Don’t throw your board over the falls, there could be other surfers below you.

4. Help other surfers in trouble.

So those are the standard rules of surfing. If you don’t understand them, ask someone.

Here are some extra traveler rules that are good to go by. It’s what I go by when I’m traveling and it’s worked out for me.

1. Watch where a local enters the water and paddles out. This will most likely be the best spot and the easiest entry.

2. Once you’re out in the line up, don’t just paddle around everyone so that you’re the closest to the curl. Wait your turn.

3. Observe the pecking order. there will be a few guys out that will get a majority of the waves. Locals know their spot and they don’t want to lose any waves to you.

4. Paddle for waves after the few guys that rip are paddling back into the lineup (after their waves).

5. Don’t get in a paddle battle with a local. You’re a traveler that is surfing on your week vacation. This person probably surfs everyday.You will lose.

6. If everyone is paddling out into the ocean, you should probably do that too… unless you want to take a wave on the head.

7. Talk to people in the line up. Everywhere I’ve been, surfers are nice and they have NO problem chatting while waiting.

Know your Limits

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 14:22:17 +0000

Know your limits as a beginner to an advanced surfer.

One of the Surf Etiquette rules is to Know your Limits. This is not a rule for the beginner surfer only. Perhaps it even applies to those surfers who ‘already know how to surf’ more so than beginner surfers. Never-ever surfers and beginner surfers may be a bit hesitant to go out on a day with the flags up, but if you have had many great surf sessions under your trunks then you may feel the courage to do so. Tune in to how you are feeling before going out. Do you feel excited or do you feel anxiety? This is usually a big indicator as to your limits. If you decide to go out, hang on the shouldar of the wave for a while and catch some waves there until you feel comfortable in the water. You would be surprised at how differently the water looks like from being on the shoreline to actually being IN the thick of it. Be Safe and stay blissful!

All I Ever Need to Learn in Life, I Learned From Surf Etiquette

Sun, 08 Mar 2009 14:47:35 +0000

Image from eastcoastwahines.com

Life is a journey, and much like surfing, sticking to a few basic rules or courtesies can make the ride a lot smoother.

The rules of surfing are universal codes. Let’s see how surfing etiquette can so easily apply to us all in our every day life.

1. No Dropping In.
This surf etiquette rule reminds us that in life we should respect and honor other people’s choices in their life’s purpose.

2. Wait your Turn.

Being aware of your place in the queue in your journey for anything is a great life skill.

3. Don’t get out of your Depth.
Much the same in the real world, we all need to realize our limitations.

4. Respect the Locals.
We all know the saying “When in Rome..”.

5. Keep Control.
In life’s journey you need to be responsible for yourself and your well being.

6. No Discrimination.
Opening up your mind to others regardless of gender, race or religion can be great for expanding your soul.

7. Look out for others.

If you see someone needing assistance, help them.

8. No Rage.
Breathe in with love and out with love.

9. Right of Way.
Give way when you need to. Unnecessary confrontations in life just take up energy that is best used for more positive activities.

10. Respect the Environment.
Leave nothing but footprints, take nothing but photos or memories.

Life’s journey will always be an adventure. Enjoy the ride of the wave. Smooth waves are the best, but not knowing what the next set of waves will bring always adds to the excitement of life.

To see my FULL STORY click here.