Surf Training Factory

Our World That Revolves Around Surfing

Salomé Abeger

Best Skateboards For Surf Training

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Best Skateboards for Surf Training Dryland

Best Skateboards For Surf Training

Skateboards are vital to improving your surfing skills out of the water, and that is a good reason to know the best skateboards for surf training. With a good skateboard, you can take your surf training to the next level, perfecting your moves and learning the nitty gritty of the great sport of surfing before hitting the swells. But there are so many brands of skateboards to choose from, and it can be confusing if you don’t know what’s right for you. To make your job easier the next time you go shopping for skateboards, here is a list of some of the best skateboards to take your surfing skills to pro levels.

Between the SwellTeach skateboards, Yow Skateboards, Smooth Star, and Carver skateboards; all of them will give you the ability to improve your surfing skills in and out of the water. They will all give you the balance, stability, smoothness, and ability to mimic surfing a real wave. In reality, all of these can be the Best Skateboards For Surf Training.

SwellTech Premiere Blackops Surf Skateboard

SwellTech Premiere Blackops For Surf Training On Dryland

This innovative SwellTech skateboard is specially designed to take your surfing to the next level. With a rigid standard truck at the rear and completely free motion truck at the front, this board’s moves are extremely similar to that of a surfboard on the waves. The front truck allows unrestricted movement and freedom to turn in all directions at top speed, with the rear truck helping to provide balance and stability, in essence like a surfboard’s fins.

With the Blackops’ longer 23.5″ wheelbase, you can easily spread out your feet like you would do when riding an actual surfboard. With the SwellTech Premiere Blackops, you can train with maximum flexibility and fluidity, perfecting your moves and maneuvers on land before heading into the waters.

SwellTech Premiere Blackops goes for $239.99, and the company offers a lifetime warranty for all their trucks. This skateboard is perfect for downhill skating, carving, and excellent for tall riders.

SwellTech Premiere Navy Surf Training Skateboard

Surf Skateboard SwellTech Premiere Navy

SwellTech’s Premiere Navy also features the company’s large 23.5 inches’ wheelbase to make it easier for taller riders to take their original surfing stance while practicing with this skateboard. If you are looking for a skateboard that offers speed, fluidity, and flexibility, the SwellTech Premiere Navy skateboard will help you improve your surfing before getting into the water.

The Premiere Navy perfectly reproduces the fluid movement of a surfboard, with a freely moving front truck that allows for great speeds and fast turning in different directions and a stabilizing rigid rear truck to enhance balance and flow. Get the best out of your skateboarding experience and surfing rides with this top quality skateboard.

The SwellTech Premiere Navy is sold for $239.99 and works perfectly for downhill skating, carving, and so much more.

SwellTech Hybrid Blackops Dryland Surf Skateboard

SwellTech Hybrid Blackops Skateboard Dryland Surf Training

At $199.99, SwellTech’s Hybrid Blackops is a perfect skateboard for riders who want quality but midsized skateboard to sharpen their surfing skills on land. The Hybrid series is a blend of SwellTech’s popular Jamie O’Brien Pro model and its Premiere deck.

While the Hybrid retains the Premiere’s mid rail width which makes it possible to position your foot between the rails, it features a wide tail similar to the Jamie O’Brien Pro, a snub nose, but a 21.6 inches’ wheelbase, which is about 2 inches short of the Premiere’s 23.5 inches.

Like other models from SwellTech, the Hybrid also offers unlimited fluidity, enhanced stability, speed, and you can simulate those incredible surfing maneuvers right on the solid ground.

If you want a mid-sized skateboard, the SwellTech Hybrid Blackops offers so much value and won’t punch a hole in your wallet.

Surf Skateboard YOW Surf Snapper 32.5″ V3

YOW Surf Snapper 32.5" V3 Surf Skate

YOW is a great name in the surf skateboard industry, and the company offers an impressive array of heavy skateboards to take your surf training several notches higher.

The YOW Surf Snapper 32.5″ V3 is a high-performance surf skateboard and has the distinction as the only skateboard with a rocker on the nose from YOW. This design makes it super easy to make tail slides and air without losing your natural feet position.

Developed in 2017, the YOW Surf Snapper 32.5″ V3 provides unparalleled stability and speed, and its 32.5″ jumbo-sized board allows for taking a natural stance while moving at high speeds. For people who need a big surf skateboard that can carry their weight without compromising their skating experience, this beautiful skateboard is all you are ever going to need to perfect your moves on land.

YOW Surf – Mundaka 31″ V3 – Power Surfing Surfskate Series

Mundaka 31" V3 - Power Surfing Surfskate

The YOW Surf – Mundaka 31″ V3 – Power Surfing Surfskate Series is named after the famous Mundaka sand pointbreak, which is unarguably one of the best surfing destinations in all of Europe and the world at large. With its characteristic red, white, and green markings to represent the flag of the Basque country, this skateboard promises to deliver unmatched performance every time.

The YOW Surf – Mundaka 31″ V3 – Power Surfing Surfskate Series features a sharp outline which can make it somewhat challenging to ride for the inexperienced, but this quality makes it easier to perform sharp and exact turns. As a tribute to the legacy of Mundaka, YOW designed this skateboard to mimic the great maneuvers performed on its majestic waves, and you surely won’t be disappointed.

YOW Surf Hossegor 29″ V3

YOW Surf Hossegor 29" V3 Dryland Surf Skate

Named after the powerful waves of Hossegor in France,  this innovative skateboard has a 29″ board and a wide wheelbase to make skating a smooth ride. With the YOW System for increased stability, speed, and fluidity, this skateboard delivers the ultimate power surf skating experience to improve your performance at surfing.

The YOW Surf Hossegor 29″ V3 is part of a large family of power surfing series named after some of the most iconic surfing spots in the world. If high performance is your thing, the YOW Surf Hossegor 29″ V3 is a perfect choice.

SwellTech’s Jamie O’Brien Pipeline Surf Skate

Jamie O'Brien Surf Skate Model

The Jamie O’Brien Pipeline skateboard from SwellTech was personally designed by Jamie O’Brien and is an excellent skateboard for people who want to take their surfing activities from amateur to pro levels. With a small and compact design, the Jamie O’Brien skateboard offers unmatched flexibility and produces incredible maneuvers and 360 slides among others.

And don’t forget that the Jamie O’Brien Pipeline is from SwellTech, which means it has the company’s innovative stabilizing features and flexibility, helping you make all those unbelievable twists and turns happen on land, so it becomes easier to replicate when you are riding the waves.

SmoothStar 32.5″ Johanne Defay Surf Skate Pro Model

Johanne Defay Surf Skate Pro Model by Smoothstar

At $349, the 32.5″ Johanne Defay Pro Model skateboard is the darling of pro surfers and people who want to take their surfing game to the next level. With an innovative design that makes sharp turnings dead easy, the super responsive 32.5″ Johanne Defay Pro Model is an excellent skateboard for practicing complex surfing maneuvers such as cutbacks and bottom turning. If you want to perfect your tailslides, the board’s swallowtail kicker makes it easy to perform as many tailslides as you want and the thruster turning mechanism makes acceleration effortless and fluid.

If you are a senior looking to take up new challenges on the waves or any other person with a burning desire to conquer bigger and stronger waves, the 32.5″ Johanne Defay Pro Model will take you to those celestial heights.

With the deepest concave of all skateboards in its class, the 32.5″ Johanne Defay Pro Model helps maintain stability and makes carving maneuvers easier and the extra wide tail helps surfers produce radical snaps without losing their toehold on the board.

SmoothStar 35.5 Manta Ray Dryland Surf Skate

Manta Ray Surf Skate

For taller surfers who have wider surf stances, the 35.5″ Manta Ray is the ideal skateboard to train for better performance on the waves. Specially designed with a contour deck shape and a wider tail, the Manta Ray allows for an incredible drive and hold no matter how deep your bottom turns or tight your top turns.

With wide and thicker SmoothStar Starfish wheels, the 35.5″ Manta Ray features sturdier wheels to help you take more control through turns no matter your weight or height.

Is a Carver Skateboard worth it for surf training?

Carver Surf Skate

Carvers skateboards bring a new dimension to skateboarding and surfing. While carver skateboards can be more expensive than their traditional counterparts, they offer a ton of advantages over the rest. In fact, carver skateboards allow you to surf the land. That is, the experience is so much similar to what you get on the waves.

The mechanism in Carver skateboards is somehow different from that of other skateboards. They are designed specially to mimic the fluid movement you experience will riding the waves on a surfboard.

All those impressive maneuvers you can do on the waves can also be reproduced on land using a carver skateboard. You can carve, pump the board to increase your speed, and glide like you would do if you were riding a surfboard. While this beautiful experience is rewarding in its own right, a carver skateboard offers additional benefits of helping you improve your maneuvers and increase balance before heading for the waves.

And the most exciting part of using carver skateboards is that the activity works the same muscle groups that are used during actual surfing, significantly boosting your form and technique. If you aim to improve your surfing game, there is no better way to get it right on land than carver skateboards. Truly, they are the real deal.

If you want to develop top turns, bottom turns, and improve your cutbacks; carver skateboards make these easier than any other skateboards as they allow you practice with sharper turns and greater speeds.

No matter your level of expertise in the sport of surfing, carver skateboards are perfect for improving your technique from beginner to pro level. It allows you to experiment with new maneuvers, increase your speed and correct your posture and form so you can perform better while in the water. Whether on the pavement or a skating ground, carver skateboards are an excellent way to take your surfing experience to the next level.

All of the skateboards listed above will always help you improve your surfing skills in and out of the water. Whichever one you pick, make sure it is the right size for you depending on your height and surfing stance. Here you can learn more about surfing step by step if you need to figure out your stance. so it can be the best skateboards for surf training for your body, as well as what you are trying to accomplish with a skateboard for surf training.

Best Surf Beaches In El Salvador – Central America Surfing

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Best Surf Beaches In El Salvador | Central America Surfing

The Republic of El Salvador in Central America is surrounded by Guatemala and Honduras on the continental side, but it is the Pacific Ocean with its perfect beaches that call out to tourists from all over the world and others looking for the best surf beaches in El Salvador. With many different breaks, you can find the best surf beaches in El Salvador like Sunzal, La Bocana, El Zonte, Las Flores, Punta Roca, Punta Mango, K-59, and K-61.

The country is the most populated area on the continent, and the language of choice is Spanish. El Salvador is affectionately referred to as ‘Pulgarcito de America’ or the ‘Tom Thumb of the Americas’ due to its size and location. Crisscrossed with two parallel mountain ranges and about three hundred rivers, the area is dotted with lakes enclosed by the volcanic craters.

Volcano in El Salvador

But it is the Pacific lowlands in the coastal areas that are the main attraction in the country due to the best surf beaches in El Salvador. Almost all the waves are all rights and a point break. The two world class waves in the country- Punta Roca and the Punta Mango which are gaining traction for more experienced surfers from all over the world.

There are different kind of waves you can choose from at the El Salvador coast, based on your experience level for surfing. While the Punta Roca and the Punta Mango waves pose challenges to the most experienced surfers, gentle waves like the El Zonte and Sunzal are viable options for beginners. The gentle waves with lesser swell, especially during low tide, can offer a great option for beginners who wish to take action into the world of surfing for the very first time.

Beginner Best Surf Beaches In El Salvador

While the country of El Salvador offers a wide variety of easy and difficult waves to surf, the best course for a beginner on the Pacific would be the east coast of the country. The beaches here are not steep, sandy bottom, and the area is safe. One of the main beaches in the area is Las Flores and there are many attractions around, including the Mangrove forests 3 km away. The volcano of Conchagua and the Lake of Algeria are other exotic locations you can check out on your trip to the east coast.

The El Zonte wave in the El Tunco Area is also a great place to start for tourists interested in having their first surfing experience. The waves are gentle and easy to handle and the warm community of locals can help you find your balance if you do not manage to find a surfing instructor. There will always be a local that is willing to teach you how to progress in your surfing skills for a small fee.

When Is The Best Time To Surf In El Salvador

Almost the entire coast of the country faces the south which makes the south and south-western swells best suited for surfing. The waves are most consistent during the monsoon months of May to October, whereas March and April have great waves too with less rainfall.

More On The Best Surf Beaches in El Salvador

There are a number of surfing locations in the country stretched across a 370 km long coastline. Some of the best locations are mentioned below:

  1. El Tunco

The El Tunco area is a half an hour drive away from the airport in the capital city San Salvador and has everything that you may possibly need to set out on your surfing journey across the country. From a wide array of surf shops where you can buy your surf essentials, to bars, restaurants and cheap places to stay makes El Tunco one of the main tourist attractions. The best waves in El Tunco that are pretty close to each other are Sunzal, La Bocana waves, El Zonte, K-59 and K-61waves are not very far off. K59 and K-61 are actually a paddle away from each other depending on the mood you are in. It would be a straight shot with no obstacles in your way.

Surfing Sunzal El Salvador
By Rudy Ortiz

Sunzal is a relatively gentle depending on the swell size. You can surf a Sunzal head high wave as a beginner without a problem. Make sure that you do know how to swim well because if your leash breaks, you will have a nice, long swim back to shore. So stay on the inside if you are a little worried. This right point break can get heavy with more water flowing through. Paddle out to the right of the Kayu Resort to stay away from a rip current that will be the longest treadmill ride ever.

Surfing La Bocana Beach in El LanvadorLa Bocana is known as a left wave but is a workable right as well. Most ride the lefts and the rights are regularly open for surfing. So expect for this wave to regularly A-Frame and know that this wave is for experienced surfers since it is faster and has good air section. Both waves are particularly busy in the morning hours between 6 am to 8 am and also during sunset. It is better to surf this at mid-tide since it will give it more push.

  1. El Tunco area

Surfing KM 59 El SalvadorThe surrounding area of El Tunco is home to K-59 a beautiful right point break with some rocks but with a sandy bottom. As it sounds, K-59 is off of the main road on Kilometre 59 and it can get tricky to get there, so get a guide or really good instructions. There are locals there often selling snacks, water, coconut water and other pastries. You can stay at a hotel right in front of Sunzals right point break and then drive to K-59.

K-61 is an ever-changing wave that is really epic when the right swell is on. This right point break is crumbly, smooth to surf and on a normal day is pretty empty with no one around. You access K-61 the same way that you access K-59 so it is very convenient and awesome to have sick uncrowded beaches.

Surf in Mizata Beach El SalvadorMizata is a pretty uninhabited place with perfect breaks crashing over cobblestones and it is probably the second most consistent wave in El Salvador. It is a further drive about 40 minutes away. Since there really isn’t anything else for you to do there other than sleep, your time will be spent well in the water surfing great waves.

El Zonte is the easiest among the other three, not as fast and good for beginners. Although is it gets too big it might not be a good wave for beginners. This wave is located in a beautiful location with little restaurants and many local artists. It is a good idea to mingle with the local surf instructors to make it easier on catching some waves. There are a lot of boogie boarders and they catch the waves ahead of everyone so be careful dropping in. This break can be fun in small or large swells with some waves getting hollow. The best swell for this location would be a South, South West direction.

El Zonte Surf Spot El SavadorPunta Roca

To many experienced surfers, this is the best wave. The right at Punta Roca is a world class wave that is hollow and can go up to 300 yards depending on the swell on a set wave. Surfers compare the way it breaks to Jeffreys Bay in South Africa.  There is definitely more surfers in the water here and beginners should stay away from this break although there are days a beginner can come and surf the inside which is called La Paz. You want to make sure that you do not have sensitive feet since there are many rocks to walk on before getting in the water. Also, do not come alone, bring a local that can guide you to the lineup. The Women’s 6th Qualifying Round in Surfing was done on the Punta Roca wave.

Surfing Punta Roca El Salvador

 

Las Flores

A sleepy beach of exceptional beauty, this is an amazing getaway spot at El Salvador where you can find some little hotels and even camp out. This sweet right point break that has a hollow outside section with long rides down the line. Best tide to surf is low tide with east winds and you definitely will not be surfing here alone since many have found out about this break. You still will not find as many people as you would in Sunzal, La Libertad area. Make sure that you are a good paddler and are ready to defeat the initial rip current. There are other breaks around, each of these waves have a big swell, but it is suitable for beginners during low tide. El Toro and La Vaca are two breaks towards the North which are also right hand points.

Surfing Las Flores El SalvadorPunta Mango

This is another famous wave of El Salvador that attracts surfers to the shores of this country. A short boat ride away from the coast, this is a dream wave for surfers that works up to 10-12 feet with plenty of barrels. Punta Mango is a true surfers’ paradise that works at any tide and its best with a South, Southwest swell. There are sand and rocks at the bottom, so it is better for intermediate to advanced surfers. Not many tourists are attracted to the Punta Mango area unless they are exclusively looking for a surfing experience. The wave poses a challenge to the most experienced surfers in the world.

Surfing Punta Mango El Salvador

Where to stay while surfing in El Salvador:

Each of these beaches has accommodation arrangements in the surrounding areas. Some are mentioned below:

  • In the El Tunco area the La Sambra Hostel provides a good place to stay for backpackers. The Esymar Beach House will be of interest to those willing to rent a space. The Sunzalito Hotel is meant for tourists visiting with family and is the conventional tourist lodging in the area.
  • The AST Surf Hotel and the Punta Roca Surf Resort offer great places to stay after the daily surfing is done in the Punta Roca area.
  • It is best to stay at Last Flores and not at El Cuco when surfing in that particular area. The Rancho Mama Cata is right on the beach where you can stay for cheap. For a luxury living, the Las Flores Resort and the Mira Flores are promising choices. Another AST Surf Hotel and a Punta Flores Surf Hotel are also great choices for accommodation.
  • The cheapest accommodation at Punta Mango is the Rancho Mango but the conditions of stay are not that great. Hotel Los Mangos offers comfortable and a luxurious stay with a pool that rivals the beach itself.
  • When you want to surf Sunzal en La Bocana you can stay at Kayu Resort for a more upscale stay that has a refreshing swimming pool, and 2 spots where you can eat located in the hotel. With super friendly surf instructors and surfboard rentals, this is a must. Directly next to Kayu is Sunzal Reef Hotel. This hotel is way cheaper and very simple compared to Kayu. Most people that just come to surf stay at Sunzal Reef over Kayu. But if you come with your wife and kids, you would rather stay at Kayu.

Surfing in itself is an active way to explore the beautiful beaches and the coastline of the small country of El Salvador. While it may also be a great spot for sightseeing, being a geographical goldmine of volcanic craters and lakes, the more active approach of adventure is encouraged while on tour to understand the true essence of the country. Even for those who have never surfed before, El Salvador offers a way to gently embark on great adventures with surfboards and instructors ready and waiting.

Surf Terms and Surfer Phrases

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What Are The Surf Terms and Surfer Phrases?

It is said that some dialects have more than 50 words that people refer to on a daily basis. I think of surfing just like any other sport although surfing gives you a different lifestyle Lots of surf terms and surfer phrases with a down to earth way of living compared to any other sport. With surfing, everyone that is passionate about it will take the day off when the waves are going off and breaking really good, any other sports they will go on about their day like they planned and then would go to practice after school or work. So I believe surfing is VERY different and a lot more down to roots than many other sports.

But just like other sports, they all have some terms and phrases that are not so easy to understand and that only practitioners of that sport understand. Here is a quick example, Judo. Judo has the techniques name in Japanese and the students have to learn them in Japanese everywhere around the world to progress through the next belts.

Well in surfing, surf Terms and surfer phrases as well. You might have heard of a couple like, just pitted, duck dive, kook, air, backside, bottom turn, carve, charging, pumping, Chinese wax, and so much more. In this article, we will go over the terms that you will hear the most and have to be familiar with so you can understand the language.

Surf Terms and Surfer Phrases Everyone Should Know

Okay, let’s get started. Just a little warning, some terms might seem weird and make no sense but we all use it… It is just apart of the sport and how surfers talk about the waves and everything else.

A-frame

A Frame Wave In Surfing

This is when a wave breaking so nicely that it forms an A with its whitewater. This is a wave that can be surfed right and left. The best type of wave!

Air AKA Ariel

Air or Ariel in surfing

This is an advanced move where the surfer projects himself/herself off of the wave and in the air and the landing it back on the wave.

Amped

Getting excited before going out to surf. Usually when watching the conditions and getting ready to paddle out.

Ankle slappers

The height of the wave that does not exceed the height of an ankle or about ankle high in the water. It is a very small wave.

Backside

Surfing Back Side

This is when you are surfing on the wave and your back is toward the wave. For a regular footed surfer, a wave going left would be their backside. And vise versa for a goofy footed. Also, the opposite of backside is frontside.

Backwash

Surfing Back Wash

This is when a wave is coming back to the ocean where the incoming waves are after it has rebounded onto the shore, cliff, or even a rock. This is usually seen when the tide is going to low tide and there is a lot of water movement going on. It can make some bumpy waves that are fun to ride.

Bail

Bail or Bailing in surfing to avoid wipeout

This is when a surfer jumps off their board to avoid a wipeout.

Barrel 0r Tube or Pitted or Shaked

Barrel Tube Riding

This is a type of wave that advanced surfers are always looking for. It’s a wave that is very hollow when it breaks and surfers get in that spot in the middle and are what we also called getting tubed. This can also be a very dangerous wave because of how much pressure and suction is involved in it.

Beach break

Beach Breaks For Surfing

A beach break is when the waves are breaking on a sandy bottom. This is a great type of wave for surfing when you are starting out.

Blown out

Blown out rough surf

This describes the surf conditions where the wind is blowing too strong and making the waves choppy, rough and plainly just unrideable.

Bomb

This is when a really big wave comes in and it is bigger than the others that have come before.

Caught on the inside or Impact Zone

Caught inside in surfing a wave

This is when a surfer is in the middle of the impact zone where the waves are breaking. This can be a dangerous place to be in bigger surf.

Charging

This is when a surfer catches a wave and surfs it aggressively in a good way. Most of the time that term is referred to advanced surfers doing great turns on the wave or dropping in on some bombs.

Chine wax job

This term is often used to describe wax on the back/ Bottom of the surfboard.

Clean or Glassy

Clean glassy surf

It is also a term for surf conditions when the wind is good and makes the waves perfect with a great open face to surf. This is what all surfers dream of.

Closeout

Closeout in surfing

This is when a wave closes itself, not giving anymore open face. It becomes all whitewater when it closes out.

 

Dawn Patrol

Dawn Patrol Surfing

This is when you surf first thing in the morning. Usually around dawn time.

Deck

Surfboard Deck

This is the side of the surfboard that you stand on. This is not the side where you put the fins.

Ding

Ding hole on a surfboard

This s when you made a hole or pressure on the surfboard.

Double overhead

Double overhead surf

Describes the height of the waves being twice as big as the surfer on it. In this image, the surfer is in the middle of the wave, but if he was at the bottom, you would notice right away that this wave is double the surfer’s height.

Drop or also called take off

Taking off on a wave surfing
By Shalom Jacobvitz

This is when the surfer first stands up on the surfboard to start going down the wave.

Dropping in and Priority

Drop in Surfing

Dropping in: We talked about this in the surf etiquette. This is when a person paddles into a wave when there is already somebody on it.

Priority: The right of way of a surfer depending on where they are placed in the lineup.

Duck dive

You duck dive to go under a wave coming at you. Instead of struggling to go over it or even being dangerous and ditching your board, you go under and back up behind the wave. This can only be done on shortboards effectively since they are smaller and lighter.

Dumping

This term is mainly used when it is a bigger day and the waves are very hollow. Usually at low tide when there is not much water for the wave to break on. Can be dangerous and sometimes not fun to surf if it is always sketchy do drop in on the wave.

Eating it or Wipeout 

Wipe out in surfing

Falling off your surfboard while riding the wave is referred to as a wipeout or eating it. Other terms like getting a pounding, got annihilated or anything else you would like when you know it was a bad fall.

Epic

Epic in surfing, epic day
By Rudy Ortiz

Surfers use this term when it is a perfect day and the waves are amazing. Can also be used as an extremely good surf session or specific amazing moment in surfing.

Face

Face of a wave

This is the part of the wave that is not broken yet.

Firing

This is the same as going off and epic. The waves are amazing and every one is wanting to go out.

Flat

The surf condition that occurs when there are no waves at all. Not fun, but still amazing!

 

Frontside

Front side surfing
By Rudy Ortiz

This is the opposite of backside. When standing up on your surfboard and riding the wave, you are facing the wave. A regular footed surfer would be frontside on a wave going right.

Frothing

This is the excitement from surfers that can’t wait to go surfing that day or amped to surf a specific spot.

Gnarly

Gnarly rough ocean surfing

Very dangerous surf conditions.

Going off

The waves are really good and firing. Everybody wants that to happen!

Goofy or goofy foot

Goofy Foot Surfer

When standing on your surfboard your right foot will be the front foot.

Grommet/ Grom

Grom kids surfing

A term used to describes a child surfing.

Heavy

A term usually used to describe the waves when they are big and can be dangerous.

Hollow

Hollow Barrel Wave Surf

A type of age describes for barrels or even  A-frames.

Inside

Surfing inside whitewater

The part of the lineup where the waves are usually just whitewater. Great for beginners. These waves are e ones closest to shore.

Kick out

When you decide you are done with the wave by backing out on top of the wave and behind it.

Kook

Describes somebody that is not very good at surfing. But don’t think of it as a negative thing because even advanced surfers call each other Kooks. It can also be used for somebody that try’s too hard and wants to look cool. But also can also be used when somebody does not follow the surf etiquette and is being disrespectful to others.

Late takeoff

When taking off a wave at the last possible moment. It is sometimes too late.

Leash/ leg rope/ leggy

Surf Leash

All described for the cord that is attached to your surfboard and yourself. The part of the equipment that is especially when surfing so you don’t have to swim back to shore every time you fall off a wave.

 

Left

Left Handed Surf Wave

A wave that breaks from right to left from a surfers point of view looking at the shore.

Lineup

Line Up In Surfing

It is the place just outside the waves a breaking are. This is where we wait for waves.

Lip

Lip of a wave

The tip of the wave about the break.

Lull

This is when the set is done and it is this period between the set. Surfers sit there and wait for the next wave during the lull.

Men in grey suits

Shars are also know as men in grey suits

Sharks

Messy

Surf conditions describing close out sections and irregular surf. Not ideal for surfing and usually caused by onshore for cross winds.

Mush waves

Slow, poor quality and non-powerful waves, usually onshore winds cause it.

Glassy (Image Below)

When the waves and conditions are really good with little to no wind. Makes a perfect clean wave.

Offshore

Surfing Offshore Winds

This is when the wind is blowing off the shore towards the waves. This wind is the best wind for surfing, makes the waves perfect.

 

Onshore

Surfing Onshore Choopy Winds

This is when the wind is bling in the shore towards the beach. This wind is not the best wind and usually generates choppy waves.

Choppy (Image Above)

This describes the surf conditions when the wind is making white caps and the waves rough.

Outback/ outside

Refers to the next wave coming up which is far out the back of the lineup. This wave will be breaking a lot further out so you better start paddling when you hear somebody saying that.

Over the falls

A wipeout when the surfer falls off the face of the wave and gets sucked up the circular motion of the wave and down the falls.

Overhead

Overhead surf

When the wave is bigger than the surfer on it.

Party wave

Surfing party wave

When multiple surfers are one the wave at once. This will not be considered dropping in.

In the pocket

In the pocket surf

The most powerful part of the wave. This is just ahead of where the wave is breaking.

Pop-up

The motion a surfer makes when going from laying down on their board to a standing up position.

Pumping

A, swell when the waves are nice and powerful. It is also used when a surfer is gaining speed on a wave.

Quiver

Surfboard Quiver For Competition

A surfer collection of different surfboards.

Radical/ rad

An impressive surfing style, with a risk taking type of maneuvers.

Rail to rail

This a type surfing when the surfboard is constantly moving on the water, going from one side to the other. It will get you more speed on a wave but very tricky to do.

Reform

When a wave that has already been broken, forms again and is surfable again.

Regular/ regular footed

Regular foot surfer on a wave

A surfer when standing on their board has the left foot forward.

Right

Right handed wave

A wave breaking from the left to the right. From a surfers eye view looking at the shore.

Rip/ Rip Current

Rip Currents For Surfing

A very dangerous current that takes every from shore to after the lineup. The only way to get out of it is to paddle to the side. Here is more on rip tides and some surfing tips (link to blog 1)

Rocker

Surfboard Rocker

The bottom curve of your surfboard.

Shaka

Shaka Sign In Surfing

A hand signal you have probably seen before used by surfers. With an extended thumb and little finger.

Shoulder

Shoulder of a wave

The surfable part of the wave that is not white water.

Shred / shredding

An aggressive surfer that makes surfing look easy. We say things like ” oh wow he shreds” to say that he surfs really well.

Sick

A term to describe something impressive like somebody doing an air. Not that you swallowed too much salt water.

Sketchy

This is used to describe something that is kind of scary. Like when there is a bunch of bait, there is obviously sharks under it so it is sketchy to surf.

Snaking

What is snaking a wave in surfing

This is when a surged does a complete S around another surfer just to get the priority on the wave. This is as bad as dropping in and if you do it you will get the stink eye.

Spit

The spray that comes out of a barrel.

Sponger

Sponger Boogie Board

A term used to describe a body surfer.

Stoked

Being very happy.

SUP

Sup Stand Up Paddle

Stand up paddleboard

Swell

Refers to solid, real waves.

Tow in

Tow In Surfing by a jetski

Catching bigger waves by getting towed by a jet ski.

Tubular

The hollow part of the wave when breaking. We get tubed in a tubular wave.

Turtle roll

This is a technique longboarders use to get over the wave since they cannot duck dive. They do this by laying down on their board and flipping it upside down while holding on tight to it. When the wave has gone by, they flip it back over.

Wahine

Wahine Woman Surfer

A female surfer

Wax

Surf Wax

I would say the most important ‘equipment’ to have. The wax smells good and gets stuck to your chest hair guys. It makes the surfboard sticky and does a grip effect on it so when you stand up you are not falling off because it is slippery. Wax is to put on before going out for a session.

Worked or Washing machine 

When you fall of a wave and get spun around and around underwater by the wave. Just like clothes getting washed in the washing machine.

Whitewater

Whitewater in surfing

The broke part of the wave. The best part of the wave to first learn how to surf.

Here you have it, the basic surfing terms dictionary. This does not include the surf equipment and different types of surfboards, but we have that coming up for you very soon. Now that you know, surfing is a whole lot her language to learn. Have fun and Shaka brah!

How To Wax A Surfboard Properly?

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How To Wax a Surfboard

Some of the crucial things we can learn about our boards for everyday surf is how to wax a surfboard,  and what to use surf combs for. Summer is known to be the call for surfers in most countries and states around the US. Except for Florida, we don’t get many waves in the summer but we do get crystal clear water and that’s amazing as well. It also gives us a great reason to travel and go on surf trips and get to see other perfect breaks.

This is the season when the beautiful blue waves are splashing against the surfboards, calling out to all the surfers. With the sport of surfing, come many other tasks other than just being in the water surfing. Things like dry land training, fitness, breath hold practice, how to maneuver better, how to wax a surfboard properly and much more.

Waxing a surfboard is pretty straightforward. It is important to remove the fins first. Apply hot water and remove wax with surf comb. Grab a bar of wax and thoroughly wax your surfboard from tail to about chin high on your board.

We will break it down further because the more that we can learn about our surfboards and things such, fins, leashes, how to wax a surfboard, what to use surf combs for and surf conditions. This can get a little tricky, but with practice, there is nothing hard about it. Waxing a surfboard is something most of us do before every surf session.

Equipment for surfing

If you are a beginner who has no idea how to take care of your surfboard, it can get extremely complicated and confusing. To avoid that, you need to study a little by asking your friends, other surfers and/or through this tutorial. Nowadays with the power of the internet, you can look practically anything and will learn easily. But following everything can be really hard without guidance. So, we have come up with the answers to some of your questions right here:

  1. Do you need to wax a Surfboard?

Surfboards have been used for decades and have evolved ever since. Modern shapers have used many different materials to make them better over the years. Some of them include polyurethane or polystyrene foam covered with many layers of fiberglass cloth, and polyester or epoxy resin. This makes the surfboards light and at the same time, extremely strong.

If you are using a soft top (a board that is made out of plastic at the bottom and foam on top) you do not necessarily need to wax them….although some still wax them for more grips under their feet. Yes, some of the foam boards are slippery and can cause injuries while you are surfing. If your board is also slippery, then without any further delay you must wax it. All other hardboards like longboards, SUPs, and shortboards made out of epoxy and fiberglass need to be waxed before ever going out to the lineup. Not doing so will result in wipe-outs from sliding off the board.

Here are some waxing tips you can follow and use throughout your surfing journey:

  • When you apply wax on your surfboard, it ensures that water repels the wax off and does not allow it to affect your feet. As it is not slippery, it not only repels water but also offers you adequate traction.
  • During different weather conditions and seasons, there is a need to ensure that you can enjoy surfing the same way. Different water temperatures wax is also available depending on where you are surfing and if the water is cold or hot.
  • When you have a firm grip, you are more likely to be able to retain your posture or instead stand in the way that you prefer. Without any fear of slipping you can enjoy surfing even more.
  • When you have waxed your surfboard, you do not need any other accessory or tool to ensure your firm grip on the board. Except maybe a stomp pad but we’ll talk about that later on another post or video. It also saves you money over time if you are a beginner and maybe some intermediate guys on wax which price has gone up.

Most surfers wax their board really fast before every session so that the grip is reinforced every time.

A little tip and reminder for those surfing soft tops; once you wax those surfboards, the wax cannot come off. On the other hand, when you have a hard top, as soon as you see the wax getting dirty and not gripping anymore, you can remove it with a wax comb and put a new coat of wax and back to being perfect. I usually do this process every six months because I like my surfboards nice and clean but you can find your way. As long as it has grip…you are good, It’s completely up to you.

  1. How to wax a surfboard?

Waxing a surfboard can go totally wrong if you do not know how to do it. If your surfboard is new or second hand, you still will have to put a fresh coat of wax on it. To get the perfect wax job done for your surfboard, follow the how to wax your surfboard instructions below:

You will need 1 block of cold or tropical wax, 1 wax scraper or what some call a surf comb, some hot water, and an old cloth. This process will take about 10 minutes, maybe even less. If your board is new, you can start the cleaning process from step 4:

1.Take the fins off and put them on the ground if you want. Its the smartest thing to do, but if you get lazy like I do sometimes, you just leave them on but are cautious of damaging it. Put your surfboard under some support under it to avoid getting it dinged (making a hole in the board). Usually, a towel will do or even a yoga mat is fine as well. It’s just to prevent dings and scratches.

2. Pour the hot water on the board which will help you get rid of the old wax coating. Make sure that the water is not boiling water, just hot enough to get rid of the coating. Once you pour water on the board, the coating will soften up by starting to melt and start to run off.

Remove surf wax with hot water

3. You can now scrape the soft wax off in long and steady strokes with your wax comb. Do not put too much pressure on top of the surfboard, this will create pressure dings (not actually a hole but just a pressure point). When most of the old wax is scraped off, pour more hot water and then use the cloth to wipe the board clean.

Scraping wax off a surfboard

4. Take your tropical or cold wax and draw diagonal lines. Do from left to right (or vise versa) first all the way up the board to about where your head would be when laying down on it for most beginner boards. The surfboard that I am waxing is a performance board.

how to wax a surfboard from left to right

Then go diagonally from right to left all the way up to where you went earlier. It doesn’t have to be from left to right and then right to left but you get my point, go diagonally in one direction and then on top of it to the other. This will give wax layers something to bond to.

How to wax a surfboard from right to left

At this point, your board is waxed up, but not enough. Use the rest of your wax to do a bunch of little circles on top of the wax you previously put on. This will give it little bumps and will make the grip much stronger. Once you can see bumps, there, your board is all waxed up.

How to wax a surfboard with little circles

Waxing your surfboard is not hard. It does seem worrisome at first but it is quite easy, and anybody can wax surfboards like a professional. If you follow the steps correctly, you will easily be able to wax the board perfectly. It does take time and precision but honestly, it is my favorite thing to do. There is no better feeling then waxing a new surfboard!

  1. What do you use a wax comb for?

As we mentioned before you are using the wax comb to help remove the wax. The second-hand surfboards usually have a huge amount of older wax coatings that are extremely hard to remove. Sometimes, even hot water does not do the trick. Of course, that happens because of the age of the wax and the quality of which differs from one brand to another. It is possible that if the older coating is not removed properly, the new wax coating will not adhere to well.

Wax Comb for removing wax off surfboard

A wax comb is a tool or an instrument used in the maintenance of surfboards. They remove the older coatings and has is known to be extremely useful in doing that. The wax combs have features which help in making your work easier when it comes to wax removal and grip for the surfboard. These features include:

  • Jagged or Toothed Edge: This edge helps you in improving the gripping of the wax on the surfboard. This will definitely give your wax coating the perfect touch for grip.
  • Straight Edge: This edge is used to scrape the older wax coating off the surfboard.

There you have it and now you are “officially” ready to go ahead and wax your board! As soon as you are done with that grab it and head straight to the ocean, then post your board waxed on the comments box. I know you will have an awesome session without wipeouts from the wax awesome gripping. See you in the lineup!

What Are The Different Types Of Surfing Waves?

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What Are The Different Types Of Surfing Waves You Can Find?

If you live by the beach or are looking to take a vacation to the beach, you may very well be interested in the different types of surfing waves that may be near you. Surfing can really be exciting for you if you love the beach, the water, and waves. The splashes of water, the adrenaline rush, the sweep of the wind in your hair will certainly give you a high. Surfing is both adventurous and fun. You may be dying to get your board shorts on, grab a surfboard and have the time of your life.

There are different types of surfing waves you might be looking for. All of them in which you can surf on depending on the wind and swell direction. There is the beach breaks (all sand bottom), reef breaks (reef bottom), river mouths, and point break being (reef, rocks or sand) the best type of wave.

What are the different types of surfing waves

Waves can be dangerous and you must have the relevant expertise and skills to deal with the surf break you are looking to paddle out to. However, there are some key things you should take note of before you begin surfing on any day. These are as follows:

  1. Swells: You should know of this if you are really into surfing. The wind over the ocean gains speed and momentum. With the distance crossed, the energy of the wind increases. The swell becomes more organized. As a result, you get a more prominent surfing wave. You may be interested to know that there are two kinds of swells mainly-
  • Groundswell: With this type of swell you can enjoy stellar waves when intense storms with strong winds strong affect the seas and produce swell lines that make their way to the shores.

 

  • Wind swell: They happen when winds blow over the surface of the water near the shores creating wind swell waves. They are usually short waves for riding and the quality is inferior to the groundswell. For instance, the state of Florida gets mainly wind swells from hurricanes and depressions out of the Atlantic ocean.

 

  1. Refraction: When swells finally break out on the shallow water surface, the energy is eventually released. The energy becomes less concentrated on the shallow levels than at the deeper levels. This causes the swell to bend horizontally. The curve created is called refraction. You would be amazed to know that the refraction depends on the features of the landscape and how deep the sea floor is. You may have seen two kinds of refraction at surfing points.

These are:

  • Convex: When the wave at the middle bends more towards the shoreline, rather than deeper wave the convex refraction is formed. The reason you can have some sometimes longer surf rides but less powerful waves is that of the convex refraction. The wind energy is spread over a larger area.

 

  • Concave: Sometimes you would see waves with very prominent peaks. The wave from the side may look like a bowl to you. The deeper ends of the wave bend away from the shore. The swell actually bends more towards shore. This phenomenon is what you call concave refraction. The concave refraction produces excellent waves with peaks that you can ride to the left or right.

Best Waves To Learn To Surf On

Waves and currents are tricky to handle. If you are not properly trained, you may suffer an accident anytime during surfing. If you are a beginner, you should start to surf on waist high waves, or even just the whitewater. You should always go for beach breaks. You should be patient in learning to surf and make sure you understand the different types of surfing waves that you may encounter on your next trip.

Instead of learning to surf on your own and going through many tribulations of trial and error, you can instead take lessons from a professionally trained surfer. So, pay attention to your instructor when he is teaching you the basics of surfing. An instructor will tell you where you should stand on the board, and which wave at their local surf break to start surfing on. Also, go for an experienced guide rather than a novice guide.  Reading books and articles on Surfing will also help you out in understanding the process of surfing. You will be able to learn it a lot better after watching YouTube tutorials but be careful and make sure you are getting the right information.

The surf breaks are not the same everywhere. You need to observe the specific surf spot you are looking to surf at, and even watch other people surfing there to get an idea of how the waves differ from somewhere else you have surfed in the past. Primarily there are four kinds of waves that you can surf on. Here are the following types of waves you can find around the world.

Beach breaks

Beach Breaks For SurfingThe size, shape, and peak of the waves you will notice vary from time to time due to the shifting of the sand. The beach breaks mean that the waves are crashing over a sandbar. The beach breaks are the best waves to surf on if you are new to surfing or just learning to do it. This is due to the sand being more forgiving than the reef once you fall on it.

Beach breaks, being the easiest to surf on for the beginners, can still be equally powerful in comparison to the reef breaks. You will find it interesting that the beach breaks have unpredictable breaks for the underlying sand moves as the swells and storms change them. The waves on these breaks can be hollow, gentle but at the same time powerful. Some notable beach breaks that may appeal to you are Huntington Beach, Hossegore beach of France, Trestles beach, etc.

Reef breaks

Reef Breaks For Surfing

The reef breaks are formed by a reef or a coral under water. The water will break due to the excessive depth at its surrounding and the formation of nearby coral reefs. You can surf on some superb waves on the reef breaks, however, be careful to not get injured. The reef which is below the water surface is very dangerous. Reef breaks are known to cause accidents or injuries. Be careful to not get infections from skin lacerations. You should wear a helmet depending on the wave size and power. Only if you are an experienced surfer, should you surf in reef breaks, otherwise do not. Some of the famous reef breaks that you will love are Ululate in Bali and Hawaii’s Pipeline.

River Mouth Waves

River Mouth Surf BreaksYou will find the waves along the rivers. You will notice that these waves are predictable and will accumulate along the rivers in the form of sandbars. You will find many similarities between the point breaks and river mouth waves. You can surf on the River mouth waves as a beginner. The river waves are calm. You are less likely to get injured or hurt.

Point breaks

Point Breaks For Surfing

Point breaks can have different bottoms like coral, sand, or rocks. This type of break when the conditions are on point can cause a very long lasting wave as it wraps around a point and races down the coastline. This break gives everyone the best time to practice multiple maneuvers as you will have much more time on the wave.

When surfing point breaks you may notice more than one surfer on a single wave as the face opens up down the coastline. It is important to understand that this type of break can be difficult to catch a wave as you should be careful with rocks around the break. Known point breaks in Jeffreys Bay South Africa, Noosa in Australia, Sunzal in El Salvador, Puerto Escondido in Mexico.

As you can see, surfing is not an easy sport but anyone that considers taking some training from a professional will progress smoothly and learn much faster. Using proper surfing equipment with helmets and shoes is something that you should not take lightly if you are surfing in cold water with rocks around you.

You should also have done proper research on the place where you are surfing. The landscape of the area, the tides, the size of the swells, the bottom, and the temperature conditions of the place. You must have knowledge of when the sun rises, sets and the sun is at its peak in the area. The solar energy influences the wind energy. The wind energy, in turn, is an important factor that affects the waves.