Glossary of Surf Kayak Terms
-:: A ::-
Aerial Re-entry - this is achieved by paddling
fast enough up the face of the wave making the kayak fly into the
air ready for re-entry and the continuation of the surf
-:: B ::-
Bow - front of the kayak
Bow rescue - a rescue performed when the capsized
kayaker uses the bow of another's kayak to aid upright position
Break Line - line where waves begin to break
-:: C ::-
Crest - referring to the top of the wave
Cut-back - travelling in the direction of the shoulder of the wave then cutting back into the wave before turning back again to travel with the wave.
-:: D ::-
Dumper - referring to the nature of a wave which literally 'dumps' water due to steepness of face
-:: E ::-
Eskimo roll - a rescue move used once capsized involving the paddle blade and hip-flick to correct to upright position
-:: F::-
Face - the unbroaken steep part of the wave
Fins - provide traction and help guide and manouver
on the wave
-:: L ::-
Left-run - riding in the direction of left along a wave
Line-up - place where surfers sit whilst waiting for a wave
-:: O ::-
Outside or Outback - beyond the
place where the waves are breaking
-:: p ::-
Peak - highest point of wave
Point break - when a wave forms in reaction to the land form, usually consistent
Pull-out - ending a ride by turning back on the wave
-:: R ::-
Rail - the edge between the hull and the deck of the kayak
Right-run - riding in the direction of right along a wave
Rip - strong under-current of water heading back to sea, usually quite narrow strip of water and can be used advantagiously by kayakers when paddling back out but caution if swimming!
-:: S ::-
Set - a group of larger waves that arrive periodically
Shorebreak - when the waves break directly onto the shore, usually unpredictable.
Shoulder - found closest to the broken wave, this is the part of the wave that hasn't broken yet
Soup - the big white mess of sloppy foam, not for surfing!
Spray deck - a neoprene or nylon 'skirt' that fits both around the waist of the paddler and the cockpit of a kayak
Stern - back of the kayak
-:: T ::-
Tube (or barrel) - a section of the wave which has curled to form a hollow cylinder
Take-off - the term used when catching the wave
for the first time
Throw bag - a rescue device involving floating rope coiled inside a nylon bag; the rescuer holds one end of the rope
Trough - lowest part between waves
-:: W ::-
Wet-exit - coming out of capsized kayak
If you have any feedback on these definitions or would like to see one added, then please contact us!
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