New to surfing? The lineup has a language all its own. Here’s a plain-English glossary of the surfing terms beginners hear most often in Sydney — so you’ll know your whitewash from your line-up before your first lesson. Our instructors explain all of this on the day, but a head start never hurts.
In the water
Pop up: the move that gets you from lying on the board to standing, in one smooth motion. It’s the first thing you’ll practise on the sand, then in the water.
Paddle out: lying on your board and using your arms to move out through the waves to where you’ll catch them.
Line-up: the area past the breaking waves where surfers wait for a wave to ride.
Take-off: the moment you catch a wave and pop up to start riding it.
Wipeout: falling off the board. Completely normal — everyone does it, and it’s part of the fun of learning.
Duck dive: pushing the board underwater to get through an oncoming wave while paddling out (a more advanced move you’ll grow into).
Waves and conditions
Whitewash (or whitewater): the foamy, already-broken part of a wave. It’s gentle and forgiving, which is exactly why beginners learn on it.
Green wave: an unbroken, “open face” wave — the next step once you’re comfortable on the whitewash.
Set: a group of waves that arrive together, usually a bit bigger than the waves in between.
Swell: the lines of energy in the ocean that become the waves you ride.
Offshore / onshore wind: offshore wind (blowing from land to sea) grooms clean waves; onshore wind (sea to land) makes them messy.
Rip (rip current): a channel of water moving back out to sea. Important to understand for safety — always surf where your instructor and the flags direct you.
Your gear
Softboard (or foamie): a soft-topped foam surfboard that’s stable and safe — what you’ll learn on.
Leg rope (or leash): the cord that attaches the board to your ankle so it doesn’t get away from you.
Rash vest (rashie): a snug top worn under or instead of a wetsuit to prevent chafing and sunburn. See our guide on what to wear surfing in Sydney for the full rundown.
Deck / rails / nose / tail: the parts of the board — the deck is the top, the rails are the edges, and the nose and tail are the front and back.
Surf etiquette
Drop in: taking off on a wave someone is already riding — considered bad manners. One surfer per wave.
Goofy vs natural foot: “natural” (or regular) means you surf with your left foot forward; “goofy” means right foot forward. There’s no wrong one — it’s just what feels natural to you.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to know these terms before a lesson?
Not at all. Your instructor explains everything you need on the day — this glossary just gives you a friendly head start.
What’s the difference between whitewash and a green wave?
Whitewash is the foamy, already-broken part of the wave (easy and safe for beginners); a green wave is unbroken and steeper, for once you’ve progressed.
Am I goofy or natural footed?
Most people find out in their first lesson — whichever foot you naturally put forward for balance is your lead foot.
Ready to put the words into practice? Book surf lessons in Sydney with us, or read what to expect at your first surf lesson.
