Every surfing expert agrees on this: to be a true surfer, you must understand all the elements that influence your practice—including the parts that make up a wave. This demands extensive practice and mastery of the sport, as well as knowing how tides and swell affect surfing.
Below is a brief overview of the parts of a wave—a perfect primer for beginners who want to speak knowledgeably about the very element that brings them so much joy:
- Face: the part of the wave you ride on.
- Lip: the upper part of the wave’s face that projects forward.
- Shoulder: the volume of water in the face, i.e., the "surfable" section.
- Barrel: the concave space formed by the face and shoulder, where surfers can pass through at high speed.
- Crest: the top of the wave.
- Whitewater/Foam: the result of the wave’s base colliding with the falling lip after the concave shape collapses—also known as the foam ball.
