Onshore
Wind blowing from the sea onto the land. It flattens and messes up waves. The forecast word every surfer sighs at.
How to use it
"It went onshore by 10am so we called it."
Related surf words
- Offshore
Wind blowing from the land out to the sea. It grooms waves clean and makes them stand up. Every surfer's favourite forecast word.
- Drop In
To take off on a wave that someone already riding has priority on. Big etiquette no. Apologise, don't argue.
- Duck Dive
Pushing your board (and yourself) underwater to slide beneath a breaking wave as you paddle out. Only works on smaller, thinner boards.
- Reef Break
A wave that breaks over a reef instead of sand. Usually more powerful and more predictable. Also more punishing when you fall.
- Cutback
A turn that carves you back toward the breaking part of the wave, so you don't outrun the power. Style points optional.
Now that you speak surf