Surf Glossary - L: From leash to low tide

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Leash

The leash connects the surfer with his surfboard. It should always be intact.
A torn leash is a big security risk for the involved and all other surfers in the water. Remember, being close to your board is also insurance. Take off your leash and lose your board, on the one hand this security is no longer guaranteed and on the other hand, a free surfing surfboard can be a bullet for other surfers and swimmers.
The leash is always attached to the back leg. See also Goofy and Regular.

Line Up

The line up is at the point where no wave breaks and is thus behind the refraction line.
To be able to surf green waves you have to be behind this line - in the line up. Sometimes it takes some effort to get there. On days with strong currents and lots of white water, the techniques already described on the way behind the break line will help you.

Before you paddle out to the line up, make sure that the day and the wave and winv conditions match your surf skills and that it is not too dangerous for you.
Each surf spot has "laws" and local surfer rules, as well as the right of way rules.

If you sit directly at the peak, it means: I am master of the situation and I am proficient in both the Take Off and my board. If you lose the take-off at this point, it may happen that other surfers will not let you take that best position in the water. Then it will be difficult to get back to the peak.
Also, it can happen to you that you take the right of way by the so-called drop-in, because other surfers think this wave is too good for a beginner.
If you realize yourself that the peak is too difficult for you, just take the wave from a slightly shallower point.
Here, however, if another surfer is already started from the peak, he is first in the wave and has right of way. You see, for beginners, the whole thing is not so easy.
If you are in the position that you have right of way and there is a wave, then definitely try to get the wave, because then has the next surfer in the line up the chance to paddle a wave.

Do not paddle every wave randomly. Note that there is an order.
Be respectful and friendly. Do not "attack" a spot with a loud roar that a handful of surfers have surfed peacefully before and keep your distance in the water. So treat other surfers the way you wish you to handle them, whether advanced or beginner, and remember: you once started in white water.

Lip

The lip of a wave is the upper part of the edge of the breaking wave. If the wave is very steep, it can break as a barrel or tube. Radical turns are often driven by surf professionals against the lip, so almost carried out at the steepest and most unstable point of the wave.
Getting the lip of a breaking wave almost always ends in a wipe out.

Lines

Surely you have already seen a surf spot from above, e.g. from a rocky outcrop. From elevated position, one can see very well that the waves move at intervals to the shore. These distances look like clean lines. That's why they are called Lines.

Lefthander

A wave is called left if it breaks from the shore to the right side. If you were to watch the whole thing from your surfboard, with your back to the wave, then you will only be able to drive this wave to the left.

Those of you who are on the board with Goofy will be pleased, as they are the ones who can wave that front-facing wave to the wave. The regulars among you, on the other hand, have the left behind and are therefore more likely to enjoy a nice right wave.
But: When surfing you should master both, because at some spots you often find only one or the other. In addition, many maneuvers involve changes of direction in the wave, meaning that you change from frontside to backside surfing for a brief moment.

Lycra (see also Rashguard)

The Lycra is a kind of T-shirt or - if long-sleeved: Elasthane longsleeve. You either wear it alone to the boardshorts, over a wetsuit or below.

There are Lycras that protect vulnerable people from the sun with a UV filter. For small children, there are often whole suits that have this feature.
The Lycra you will find in countless versions. Whether you wear it alone over or under a suit depends on your warmth and taste.
The Lycra has but one more function: It protects your skin from abrasions by the wax or the wetsuit.

However, when worn over the wetsuit, it is neither warming nor protective. It then has only the task to make you better "identifiable" in the water. Good surf schools use Lycras to keep an eye on their groups. In competitions you use Lycras like a jersey. Again, it serves to better identify the individual surfer.

Longboard

The longboard links the early days of popular surfing - the 1960s, when Hang Five and Hang Ten were in vogue.
As the maneuvers have become more and more radical over time, the longboard was soon pushed out of the public spotlight. In recent years, however, it has been rediscovered and the retro surfing style is revived a bit.
The longboard allows for real "dances" along the entire length of the board and lives off slowly building up waves. It is extremely heavy and not very revving. Due to its large volume, it glides well and you would expect it to be an ideal beginner board, but in fact it is anything but a beginner board. It's hard to maneuver and handling on land also requires a lot of skill.

Another variation on longboarding is Stand Up Paddle Surfing (SUP). (see also Stand Up Paddle Surfing)

Localism

Locals sometimes defend their waves and spots in a rather unfriendly way.
Basically, the same rights should apply to every surfer anywhere in the world, because the sea and its waves belong, if anything, to the fish that swim in it. Unfortunately, there are still many people who sometimes act forcefully when they feel threatened by a spot in their peace and secrecy.

Ask on-site for the likelihood of such abuses, and always behave respectfully, if you expect nice open-minded locals. Also keep in mind that some surfers may not have the opportunity to see any other spots in their lives than their own. Perhaps you would defend your places as well, when a beautiful hitherto undiscovered wave is suddenly visited by more and more people. Also consider this site and have respect. But if you are threatened here as well as there: Criminal acts are unacceptable and punishable as such.

Low Tide

Low tide is the low tide that occurs every 12 hours and 20 minutes as a result of tides.
For tides the tides are of great importance as they significantly influence the spots and waves. The circular motion of a wave is always underwater halfway to the part of the wave that you can see above the water. (see also surf) This means at low tide, so low, the waves break farther outside than e.g. at high (flood). Because at low tide further offshore there is less room to the bottom.
Turn to the surf shop of your confidence and get a tide plan. Tip: At the holiday resorts, many local newspapers also publish the respective tide calendar / tide calendar in the monthly or weekly rhythm.

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