Lineup: The place where surfers wait for waves, determined by where the peak of the wave has been. On such days, many surfers welcome the occasional lull in order to recover. Pumping: When larger waves are breaking regularly with good shape. In most areas, swells commonly contain periodic lulls of up to several minutes. A very consistent swell may have waves breaking regularly, with lulls varying from a few minutes to not at all. The length of a lull can vary considerably, depending on the consistency of the swell. The number of waves within each set can vary, as can the size and shape of each individual wave.Ĭleanup set: Larger outside sets that close out before anyone can get to them Set: A group of waves approaching the shore. Inside: The area closer to shore than the normal lineup Outside: The area beyond the normal lineup Luckily for oceanfront residents, truly massive rogue waves are relatively rare. Their existence emphasizes the importance of staying alert while surfing because they can catch a lot of people off guard both in the water and on shore. Rogue Wave: A much larger wave in a set, caused by an anomaly in energy at the point the swell originated, that have known to be several times larger than any other wave in a swell. Double-ups tend to be larger and more powerful than other waves in a set and can become very hollow and steep when they break-not advised for the inexperienced surfer. Reforms: Waves that have enough energy and the correct shape of the bottom to break more than onceĭouble-Up: When two waves from different swells meet in the open ocean, their crests and troughs sometimes align to create what's known as a double-up. Sometimes catching whitewater works to your advantage if it's a reform wave. Such waves are not ideal for surfing-you end up merely riding the whitewater, or the broken part of a wave that has already peaked and toppled over. Gnarly: Slang to describe large, heavy, thick-lipped or difficult wavesĬlosed out: When waves break all at once along their entire face. Also referred to as 'sucky' when breaking in shallow water. Hollow: A concave and steep wave face shape. Getting barreled is one of the ultimate experiences in surfing. This type of wave creates the hollow tube or barrel section that an advanced surfer enters. Excellent for learning to surf.īarreling or Tubing: Waves that break from top to bottom as the swell peaks more quickly and pitches the crest down the wave face that usually arise from breaks with a more abrupt change from deep to shallow water.

It appears to crumble, or peel, along the length and usually arises in areas with long, gradual rises from deep to shallow water. Crumbly or Peeling: Waves that easily break down the face, spilling or toppling over.

Surfer lingo for catching a wave