Surf Training Factory

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Salomé Abeger

The Anatomy Of A Surfboard

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The Anatomy Of A Surfboard Explained

Surfboards have a very complex shape since they are made to be hydrodynamic objects. To understand the anatomy of a surfboard there are some parts that make it the best possible tool for gliding through the waves. Whether it is a 4-foot surfboard or a 13 feet paddle-board, the complexity is the same.

Surfboards have certain terms for each part, just like a human body, you will learn the anatomy of a surfboard. We start with the top of the board is the nose, then moving down to the rails, the fins, the tail, the leash, and so on.

Because a surfboards has numerous forces coming at them, they have a different shape depending on the wave and wind conditions. The core materials that are used to shape a surfboard but also evolved with time and technology are wood, foam, and fiberglass or epoxy. Nowadays, there is even more high-tech surfboards too; like the hydrofoil where the anatomy of a surfboard like this one would change on the fins.

Shapers on the anatomy of a surfboard

As a shaper, a blank piece of foam can be transformed into a perfect brand new surfboard in a couple of hours or days. The shaper works on that one piece to have a perfect buoyancy, gravity, drag, and lift. All surfboards shaped can be either custom made or not and then bought by the perfect person to fit that surfboard. A surfboard will fit somebody the right way depending on the height, and weight of the surfer, as well as the conditions, being surfed in. It also varies in length, width, thickness, and so much more comes into it as you progress through the years of surfing.

As a result of different conditions, surfers, and waves; there are 7 common surfboard types; shortboards, longboards, fish boards, guns, Malibu, soft surfboards, and stand up paddle boards.

Anatomy of a surfboard breakdown

All surfboards, no matter the shapes have all the same features and anatomy. So let’s take a look at the main parts and design of a surfboard.

1 Nose. This is the front of the surfboard. The first 12 inches. The tip of the surfboard. It has a huge influence on paddling and maneuverability. It is also shaped higher on some surfboards but not all to give it a little bit more space between the water and the surfboard. It can be shaped wide or narrow depending on the surfer surfing it.

2 Tail. This is the back of the surfboard. The last 12 inches. The tail has a big influence on speed and maneuverability. It can be shaped very narrow and very wide depending on the surfboard and surfer.

3 Rails. The rails are the two sides of the surfboard. They are round edges.  This is where you will grab your surfboard when carrying it. This is also where it has the thickness of the surfboard.

4 Stringer. The wooden strip in the middle of the surfboard going from the nose to the tail. It is placed right at the center of the surfboard and is vertical. The stringer increases strength and reduces unwanted flexibility on the surfboard.

5 Deck. The top surface of the surfboard. It is flat. This is where the surfer stands on their board and the place that is typically being waxed.

 6 Bottom. This area is the bottom of the surfboard. It touches and rests on the water when surfing.

7 Fins Plug. These are located in the bottom tail of the surfboard. They are usually two holes for each surfboard or one big slice of a hole. These holes are shaped differently based on which kind of fin setup the shaper is using and also which brand fin setup the shaper is using.

8 Leash Plug. This is a small hole that is placed on the tail of the surfboard, it contains a metal bar where the leash rope will fit through.

Top of the surfboard Anatomy of a surfboard

Bottom of surfboard anatomy of a surfboard

Outline. The overall shape of the surfboard. This is just the whole surfboard.

Foil. The rate of a surfboard’s thickness from the nose to the tail.

Rocker. The amount of curve from the nose to the tail of the surfboard. You will see that rocker when looking down the surfboard. The rocker depends on the surfboard and what is being achieved with it by the surfer.

Concave. The contour on the bottom of the surfboard to channel water. The concave is the space where water travels from nose to tail of the surfboard.

Now let’s talk about a couple things that the surfboard would need to be able to get started and head out in the water.

Fins. The fins are a huge part of a surfboard. You install the fins in the fin plugs. They are considered the wheels of a surfboard. They are placed at the bottom tail part of the surfboard and are big on stabilizing the surfboards movement. They prevent the board from sliding sideways and help in direction, drive, and control. There are 5 different fin setups: single fins, twin fin, thrusters, quad, and five fins setup. They are also 3 main brands of those fins: FCS, FCSII, and Future Fins. Fins can be removed and put back on unless you have a very old surfboard that has glass on fins. But in today’s world, all shapers make the fins removable.

Leash. The leash is a rope that connects the surfboard and the surfer together. The leash is installed in the leash plug at the tail end of the surfboard. The leash is for the safety of the surfer not getting hurt or having to swim when falling off the surfboard. It also made so that the surfboard does not go all the way down to the shore hitting other surfers.

Traction Pad. The traction pad is located in the tail end of the surfboard, very close to the leash and leash plug. It is made so that the surfer has a really great grip to prevent falling off the surfboard. The traction pad is mainly for the back foot only depending on your surfing stance.

Wax. We put wax on the deck of the surfboard so that the surfboard has more a grip. Just like the traction pad, but up the deck for your front foot. Surfers wax their surfboard usually before every surf session to make sure the wipeouts are prevented as much as possible.

Last but not least, a surfboard is tridimensional and is categorized by three main points. All of these characteristics are different for the surfer, and the wave conditions that it is being surfed in.

Anatomy of a surfboard dimensions

The length of the surfboard. This is the measurement in feet and inches from tail to nose.

Width. This is how wide the surfboard is. It is measured from rail to rail in inches at its wide points.

Thickness. Measurement from the deck to the bottom at its thickest points. Also measured in inches. The thickness has a big impact on the buoyancy of the surfboard.

Now that you all the terms for the anatomy of a surfboard, it is time for you to get that surfboard and revised all of them. It is very important to know them all so that you can relate when somebody else talks about it. Also, when starting out, always buy or rent a bigger surfboard. Do not try to surf on a shortboard like the pros do. We all started somewhere and that is on a longboard or soft surfboard, so go ahead and grab one of those for yourself.

How To Install And Remove A Surfboard’s Traction Pad

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How To Install And Remove A Surfboard’s Traction Pad (Stomp Pad)

Did you just buy a surfboard or need a new traction pad?! Well today, we’re going to go over how to install and remove a surfboard’s traction pad so that you guys know how to do both when time comes to use it. Installing and removing a stomp pad is not hard at all, however, it is very tedious and time-consuming. So make sure you have enough time to spare to get the work done the right way.

To install a traction pad; it is fairly easy. You just need a new stomp pad and your surfboard. Remove the pad out of the plastic and glue it to the end of your surfboard where you put your back foot. To remove a traction pad; it can be a little tricky. You need to get some hot water, some acetone, and some strength. Just peel out the old pad using hot water, and pour acetone on the glue to get it all out. You need to make sure the glue is completely off to put a new traction pad eventually.

It is always fun to get new equipment, it makes it exciting and something to look forward to. A traction pad is probably, what I think, a very very important tool to have on your surfboard. It makes your back foot stay in place with the extra grip it offers. It also tells you where your back foot should be placed. And after all, it looks AWESOME! The board is not so naked anymore, it’s like a piece of clothing for a surfboard.

 How To Remove A Traction Pad (also known as Stomp Pad) Off Surfboard

How to remove a traction pad is a question we get quite often when somebody just purchased a new surfboard. And honestly, not a lot of people out there teaching how to remove a stomp pad the right way! There is plenty of different ways to remove a traction pad, such as using a razor blade and so on, but we’d rather not use a blade so that we do not cut into the fiberglass so instead we use our strength, hot water, and acetone if needed.

What you would need:

  • Your surfboard with old stomp pad
  • Hot water
  • Acetone with towel
  • Wax Comb
  • Towel
  • Your muscles hahaha

The idea of removing a stomp pad is to peel off the traction pad completely and then get the glue off completely as well (this part is important so that you can put a new one in eventually).

  • Pour some hot water on the traction pad. That will make the material softer and easy to peel off.
  • Peel off the traction pad as much as possible. In reality, you want to peel it off all the way. Your stomp pad might come out as a whole or in little pieces like mine. If it comes out as little pieces, stay patient and peel it all off. I know this step might be tedious and time-consuming, but it is all worth it in the end. * If you need help getting the stomp pad corner off, use the wax comb to help you elevate that, and then peel off the pieces.
  • Once the WHOLE traction pad is off. You will notice there is glue where the pad used to be. The glue needs to be removed completely so you can install a new stomp pad with new glue.
  • To remove the glue off the surfboard, you can either get it out by rubbing your fingers on it and making a ball of glue, you can also get an eraser and get it off like that. But what we found was easier is using acetone on a towel or paper towel and rubbing the glue off with the acetone. It just makes it easier, but there is no easy way to do this either, you just need to rub the glue off all the way till there’s no more.
  • Now rinse your surfboard with water, to get all the leftover glue, stomp pad pieces, and acetone that are just hanging there.
  • Dry your surfboard off with a cloth.
  • Check if it is ALL removed. If it’s not getting it all out. If it is you are DONE!

Congratulations! You just removed your first ever traction pad off a surfboard!

How To Install A New Traction Pad (also called Stomp Pad) On Surfboard

Now that your old traction pad is off your surfboard, it is time to install a new one on there! This is the best part, you worked hard to remove the old pad that was on there and now the new stomp pad you just bought finally gets to go on your surfboard. It’s going to make it look sick and brand new! Adding new tools to my surfboards is my favorite thing to do so this is very exciting for me to teach you!

Before you start you need to figure if your new stomp pad is a 1 piece, 2 pieces, 3 pieces, 4 pieces, or more. For mine, it is a one piece (easiest to put on since you don’t have to calculate and align all of the other pieces together). If you are still debating on which stomp pad to buy, get a one piece for sure!

To install a new traction pad you will need;

  • Your surfboard. All clean, free of glue, and dry.
  • Your new traction pad
  • Yourself

To install a traction pad, it is really easy, all you need to do is do it slowly and be very careful on how to are putting it, if it is straight or not. Just little things like that will make it that much better when installing a traction pad on a surfboard.

  • Take the stomp pad off the plastic. But do not remove the paper glued to the back of it just yet.
  • Put it on your surfboard just to see where you want to install your new traction pad. I usually put the curved part of the traction pad where the plug for my leash is, it makes the stomp pad circle around the leash and usually is where we put our back foot when surfing. The sticker is still not out of the traction pad, it is just to see where you want it.
  • If you want it just like us and most surfers as close as possible to the leash plug, put it there.
  • Now that you like it where it is. Remove the protecting film one step at a time. As you are sticking the back of the stomp pad, and slowly moving forward, you are also pulling the paper off the glue as you are moving up. Do that very slowly all the way till the end.
  • Push down your new traction pad so that it sticks very well. Push down for a while and all over the place. Leave it untouched for at least 24hours, and to make it better you can always put a bunch of books or something heavy on it so that the traction pad that sticks on and lasts for a long time.
  • If you are not happy with the place and position it’s now in. You can pull it out and readjust it. Don’t do that too often though, it will get the glue used and won’t stick as good after that.

*  If you bought a multiple piece traction pad, put it on the surfboard without removing the protecting film. And then remove the protecting film on the biggest piece first which is usually the middle part and then got down to the smallest which are the side pieces.  When you do that, you can leave the other unglued pieces on the surfboard to help you see where to glue them exactly. Remember start in the middle, and then work your way to the sides and smaller pieces of the traction pad.

There you have it, surfers! We have explained and taught you how to remove and install a traction pad on a surfboard. It is pretty easy if you follow the instructions step by step and you will be completely fine and happy! Also if you would rather follow an instructional video on how to remove and install a traction pad, you can do that too! On our Surf Training Factory YouTube channel or the click the links above. Stomp pad can be so beautiful and make the surfboard look great so let’s get it and enjoy your next surf session out there!

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.

Chinese 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!