The Surfers Dictionary

Hey surfers! Welcome to our surfing dictionary, the place where you will find the surfing terms and insider lingo to talk about the waves like a real pro. 

You know that feeling when your friends tell you about their latest surfing adventure? “Dude, it was really epic! The waves were overhead and super clean!” And you think, “Hmm, were the waves really that great or has he just been watching too many surf movies?”

Don't worry anymore, because with this dictionary you can better understand what your friends mean and you can determine based on the surfing weather whether they are exaggerating a bit - and you can also join in the cool surf talk yourself! Check it out, learn the terms, and who knows, next time you'll be the one who says: “Today they were really Dutch slobs, but they still had a nice training round!” Happy surfing!

Epic

Use this term when surfing conditions are exceptionally good.

• Wave height: 1.5 meters (5 feet) or higher
• Wind force: Calm or light offshore wind (up to 3 bft)

Clean

Use this term when the waves break smoothly and cleanly.

• Wave height: 0.5 meters (1.5 feet) or higher
• Wind force: Calm or light offshore wind (up to 3 bft)

Surf Alert

Use this term to warn other surfers of excellent surfing conditions.

• Wave height: 1 meter (3 feet) or higher
• Wind force: Calm or light offshore wind (up to 3 bft)
• Additional Condition: Sudden improvement in conditions or warning of hazardous conditions

Choppy

Use this term if the waves are messy and irregular.

• Wave height: Varies, but often 0.5 meters (1.5 feet) or higher
• Wind force: Moderate to strong onshore wind (more than 4 bft)

Flat or pancake

Use this term when there are little to no waves and it is as flat as a pancake.

• Wave Height: Less than 0.3 meters (1 foot)
• Wind Force: Regardless

Mushy

Use this term when the waves are gentle and not strong.

• Wave height: 0.5 meters (1.5 feet) or higher
• Wind force: Light to moderate onshore wind (up to 4 bft)
• Additional Condition: Waves break slowly and without much force

Overhead

Use this term when the waves are higher than the average surfer.

• Wave Height: More than 2 meters (6 feet)
• Wind force: Calm or light offshore wind (up to 3 bft)

Waist-High or hip high

Use this term when the waves are about the height of the surfer's waist.

• Wave height: 0.8 to 1 meter (2.5 to 3 feet)
• Wind force: Regardless, but often with light to moderate wind

Closeout

Use this term when waves break almost simultaneously along the entire length of the wave.

• Wave height: Varies, but often 0.5 meters (1.5 feet) or higher
• Wind Force: Regardless
• Additional Condition: No rideable section available

Dutch Klotsbakken

Use this term if the waves are messy and chaotic, typical of the North Sea.

• Wave height: 0.5 meters (1.5 feet) or higher
• Wind force: Moderate to strong wind (more than 4 bft)
• Additional Condition: Irregular and difficult to surf waves

Training round

Use this term when you go surfing for practice, regardless of the conditions.

• Wave height: Regardless
• Wind Force: Regardless
• Additional Condition: Focused on training and practice, not necessarily for ideal surfing conditions

Get Wet Pak

Use this term when surfing conditions are poor, but you still go into the water.

• Wave height: Regardless
• Wind Force: Regardless
• Additional Condition: The session is not expected to produce many surfable waves, but you will still enjoy being in the sea.

Example of use of these terms:

“It looks epic today, the waves are overhead (more than 2 meters) and clean with light offshore wind (up to 3 bft! So surf alert!”

Or:

“Today it's really Dutch slosh with that strong wind, but I'm going to do a training round anyway.”