Surfers (pictured) returning from the linguistic front lines.
Surfers (pictured) returning from the linguistic front lines.

Decades long linguistic war ends as the Olympics publishes official “surfing terminology and glossary”

Skeg heads and fin boys lay down their weapons.

Surfers will gladly fight about anything. Wave height, degree of rotation, if the strand connecting surfboard to ankle is called a “leg rope” or a “leash,” etc. ad infinitum. Fight and charge, attack and parry. The linguistic war, in particular, has been raging since Tom Blake invented the surfboard fin back in 1935, declaring, “Look at his fin.” Woody Brown, nearby, sneered, “That’s no fin. That’s a skeg.”

Corpses line the many etymological battlefields and it was thought that it would be a “forever war.” Thankfully the Olympics, reimagined in 1896 to bring the world together in peace and harmony, has just ended it.

Surfing 101: Olympic terminology and glossary is now, officially, our guide and let us peruse some terms, together, while white doves flutter.

Aerial: Complex small-wave maneuver in which both surfer and board launch into the air off the top of a wave, before dropping back down into the same wave.

Axe/axed: A heavy wipeout, usually involving the wave’s lip impacting directly on a surfer. Also called drilled, pummeled, etc.

Bail/bail out: To abandon or ditch one’s surfboard before getting wiped out by the wave, either paddling out, or while riding the wave.

Carving: A surfing technique in which the surfer creates big, deep turns by sinking much or all of the rail of the surfboard during each turn.

Cutback: A classic surfing move used to change direction when streaking ahead of the curl of a wave with a powerful turn back toward the breaking part of the wave. Cutbacks are an important element in surfing as the maneuver repositions the surfer closer to the power of the wave.

Drop-in: When a surfer initially goes down the face of the wave after catching a wave. Also a term used to describe catching a wave in front of another surfer who is already riding, which is a general breach of surfing etiquette.

Pitted: “Getting pitted” (or “getting barreled”) is when a surfer rides inside the hollow, tunnel-like part of a barrel wave. Also known as tube riding.

Cowabunga.

But what does it mean to “snake” someone?

More as the story develops.

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21 Comments
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Gilbert Gil

Gutback – like a cutback but only completed after a few vb’s

deeks

Hopefully in Tahiti there will be
“Anihalated” “hospital job” “oh she’s made an impression on the reef ” and “nah he’s dead…gotta be dead. “

Low wide stinkbug stance

Surely eating shit deserves a mention?

Cuntry Singer

I saw Cuntback.

Occ Topus

VAL – Vulnerable Adult Learner (photo of Chas used for example).

deeks

A “carving ” “cutback” with elbow lined up on said cunts face who has “snaked” . And it felt good

Gil Gunderson

They obviously have not consulted with the doyen of surf linguistics, Chris Cotẽ.

Happy Camper

I’d love to hear Chris do an entire broadcast in only Steely Dan lyrics

mike m

Acai bowl: that which gets slap’

Nonagon_Infinity
Nonagon_Infinity

surfing : a combination of water torture and simulated womb regression practiced by masochists and misfits.
Phil Jarret

disqus_00d1gIXedO

What’s your favorite surfism tho? Mine’s “pearled” or perhaps “bog.”

“Disco floater” also rates.

Otto

He so Olympic, he doesn’t even know he’s Olympic

https://youtu.be/JDRNaAxryu…

Picard Madeoff

Chas knew he had to deliver this bulletproof and intellectual offering after his exponential embarrassment around asserting surf bro Lewis Hamilton was driving for Ferrari this season. Speaking of snaked, what do we call it these days when your 113lb wife takes you out on a wave?

Rocks local

depends on where you put the comma — if she “takes you, out on a wave” we call it super lucky.

Picard Madeoff

I’m asking for that opportunity right after the 1st reposado is finished with our token Aussie friends tonight. I suspect they’ll cheer her on to deliver.

disqus_00d1gIXedO

Bad romance?

deeks

Happy anniversary

JohnsKnees

Pipping it – when you paddle out in surf that you are afraid of but you pretend to paddle for waves only to pull out at the last minute

Dogsnuts

I believe the kids call it “edging”
Xox

Alan Brydel

I thought that was called “A Toledo” and a “Holely Toledo” was when a male surfer gets period cramps on the beach when the surf gets big and gnarly (note the spelling of ‘Holely’), the story being sold has huge holes in it…..


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