Rail
The edge of your surfboard that runs down each side. You "put it on rail" to turn. Also the thing that digs in when you catch one.
How to use it
"Lean into the rail and let the board turn itself."
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.
- Onshore
Wind blowing from the sea onto the land. It flattens and messes up waves. The forecast word every surfer sighs at.
- 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.
- 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