Surfing words · Intermediate

The words that make the commentary make sense. They build on the beginner words.

I · Intermediate · 23 words · Step 2 of 2

Competitive terms

Interference penalties

Penalty 1 halves the interfering surfer's second-highest ride, Penalty 2 scores it as zero, and Penalty 3 scores the highest ride as zero. Disqualification removes the surfer from the heat. In ISA World Surfing Games and Olympic-related events only, interfering with a potential scoring ride in the last five minutes brings Penalty 3, and intentional interference then disqualifies.

Priority judge

The official who calls priority, using a colour display matching the surfers' jerseys, and may consult the judging panel on close calls. A surfer who gets an interference penalty loses priority, and the Priority Judge sets the new order.

Head judge

The judge who supervises the panel for a heat, keeps an equal wave count among the judges, and tries to tell a surfer who was interfered with that they have an extra wave.

Snaking

Taking off behind a surfer who already has right of way and causing them to pull out or lose the wave. The second surfer may be given an interference penalty even though they are behind. The surfer with right of way is not penalised for being in front.

See also: Wave, Interference, Right of way

Paddling interference

A surfer paddling for the same wave hindering the surfer with inside position, by contact or blocking, or by clearly causing a section to break down in front of them. A collision with a surfer paddling out is judged by safety and the effort made to avoid it.

Blocking and hassling

Where a priority judge is used, a surfer with the inside position who blocks another from catching a wave, or positions themselves to block the take-off zone, is allocated the lowest priority. Excessive hassling or hindering in the line-up can also be penalised.

The ruleCan a surfer use position or priority to stop a rival catching waves?

Primary take-off zone

The area in the line-up where priority applies. Priority is suspended for a surfer who is washed out of it by a set or who goes to replace damaged equipment, and can be reinstated when they return.

Heat tie-break

Ties are broken by the best single score in the heat, then the third best, and so on; then by the average of all five judges on the two best scores; and, if still tied, by a re-surf.

Re-surf

A heat surfed again to break a tie that nothing else resolves. If both tied surfers are advancing, seeding or the earlier round's scores decide instead, and if both are losing they share the place.

Competition terms

Championship tour

The top level professional surfing circuit, featuring events at various locations worldwide.

Man on man format

A head to head heat format, common in later rounds of a competition.

Wave selection

The strategic choice of which waves to ride during a heat, since only the best scoring waves count.

Right of way

Without priority, the surfer with the inside position has unconditional right of way for the whole ride. On a point break that is the inside surfer. With a single peak and both directions available, it goes to the first surfer to make a definite turn. With two peaks, it goes to the surfer whose hands leave the board first.

Also called: inside position, priority rule
See also: Board, Priority, Ride, Peak, Point break

Wave and technique terms

Peak

The point on a wave where it first begins to break, often the strongest and most rideable section.

See also: Wave

Shoulder

The unbroken, gently sloped section of a wave beyond the breaking peak.

Closeout

A wave that breaks all at once along its length rather than peeling in one direction, making it hard to ride.

Reef break

A wave that breaks over a rocky or coral reef rather than a sandy bottom.

See also: Wave

Point break

A wave that breaks along a point and can be ridden in only one direction. In a contest on a point break, the surfer on the inside has unconditional right of way for the whole wave.

Snap

A sharp, fast turn off the top of the wave, often used to redirect back toward the breaking section.

See also: Wave

Equipment terms

Fins

Attachments on the bottom of the board that provide grip and control during turns.

Rocker

The curve of a surfboard from nose to tail, affecting how it turns and how it handles different wave sizes.

See also: Wave

Leash

A cord attaching the surfer's ankle to the board, preventing it from washing away after a fall.

Rail

The edge of the surfboard, whose shape affects how the board grips the wave during turns.