Surf & Stand Up Paddle Boarding

Popular Santa Cruz Surfing Terms

Posted on by Surf Instructor - Matt Arthur
Matt Surfing Santa Cruz
29
Jul
Want to learn some fun surfing lingo? Knowing these terms will help you walk, surf and talk like a surfer when on your next Santa Cruz surfing adventure. No matter what Santa Cruz activities, or beach you may be heading to, here is what you need to know:
  • Brett - Santa Cruz Surf LessonsBackside – Going “backside” means that you are surfing with the backside of your body facing towards the wave. A regular footed surfer (stands with right foot forward) going to the left or a goofy footed surfer (stands with right foot forward) going to the right will be surfing backside. The opposite is frontside, or when the front of your body faces the wave. Most Santa Cruz surfing breaks cater to regular footed surfers.
  • Bail – To “bail” is to jump off the board to avoid a wipeout. It would really suck to bail at a wave like Mavericks.
  • Blown Out – When the waves are “blown out” is when the onshore wind turns the surf in to hard to ride mush. Most of the time offshore winds are preferable and they help to clean up the shape of the wave. You can call your favorite Santa Cruz surf shop (that’s us, right?) to find out the current wind conditions or check our Surfline widget to the right.
  • Bottom Turn – When you make a “bottom turn” it means that you have started down the face of the wave then made a turn at the bottom to carve upwards. It’s often the first move made after dropping in. Get it right for great positioning for your next maneuver.
  • Caught Inside – A surfer who is “caught inside” is too far in and has gotten caught after where the waves break and is having a hard time getting out. It can be dangerous to get caught inside in big surf.
  • Choppy – Waves can become “choppy” where the surface of the ocean is rough / bumpy. This is usually caused by stormy weather and wind. Most Santa Cruz surfing breaks are well protected from choppy conditions because of the thick kelp beds beyond the breaks. The kelp beds help cut down the down the chop and allow for calmer more smother conditions. Capitola Beach is a perfect example of this.Matt Surfing Santa Cruz
  • Close Out – A “close out” wave is where a wave breaks along its length all at once. There is not really a great place to take off and ride the face of the wave on close outs.
  • Cutback – Making a “cutback” is reversing the direction that you are surfing in one smooth fluid move. (That’s the idea anyway.) Imagine you would first come down the wave, then make a “bottom turn” at the bottom, then make a “cut back” as your next move at the top of the wave lip.
  • Epic – Waves are considered “epic” when the conditions are just perfect or a rider has had an amazing surf session.
  • Face – The “face” is the smooth, unbroken, front part of the wave that you ride down.