Surfing vocabulary, the complete lexicon

Dernière mise à jour le 25 December 2023

Surfing, more than just a sport, is a way of life, a culture with its own language. If you're new to the world of surfing, or even a seasoned surfer looking to expand your vocabulary, this lexicon is for you. From "A-frame" to "Foam ball", each term has its own history and meaning.

Here are all the key surfing terms, so you can not only understand the language, but also share this passion with others.

Enjoy your discovery!

A-frame
Aerial
Air Reverse
Alley-Oop
Backdoor
Backside
Backwash
Baïne
Sand bank
Bar
Barrel
Bat tail
Beach break
Board
Bonzer
Bottom turn
Duck
Carve
Closeout
Cross-shore
Cutback
In the pocket
Drifts - Ends
Diamond tail
Right
Drop
Shoulder
Evolutive
Fish
Flat
Floater
Foam ball
Left
Glassy
Goofy
Groveler
Gun
Hang ten
Inside
Kneeboard
Kook
Layback
Thermal wind
Leash
Lip - Lip
Line-up
Longboard
Replacement maneuver
Mini Malibu
Foam
Nose
Nose riding
Offshore
Onshore
Outline
Overhead
Period
Pet - Ding
Pic - Peak
Pig Dog
Pin tail
Point Break
Priority - Prio
Quad
Quiver
Rail
Re-entry
Reef break
Regular
Rocker
Rodeo air
Roller
Round house
Round Pin Tail
Round tail
Wave section
Semi-gun
series
Session
Shape
Shaper
Shore break
Shortboard
Shred
Sideshore
Single fin
Skimboard
Slab
Snaker
Snap
Softboard
Spot
Squash tail
Stand Up Paddle - SUP
Swallow tail
Swell
Tail
Tail pad
Tail slide
Take off
Tax
Thruster
Tow-in
Tricks
Tube
Twin fin
Mellow Waves
Volume
Wax
Wipeout
Impact zone
Samuel Rosemain
Samuel Rosemain

Born in the hustle and bustle of Paris, Samuel Rosemain first explored the city on his skateboard. His life changed at the age of 13, when he moved to Martinique.

Between the waves of La Caravelle in Tartane and the hidden spots of Sainte-Marie, he discovered his new passion: surfing.

After five years at sea, Samuel turned to marketing while staying close to the ocean. He created Surf Tribe, a website merging his career and his passion for surfing, offering a platform for knowledge and sharing about the sport and its culture.

Because surfing is above all a tribe!

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