12 Huge Waves People Have Surfed From Around The World

Cowabunga! Brush up on your surf slang and hit the beach this summer — and don't forget to stay hydrated with vapor-distilled smartwater, not saltwater. Gnarly.

1. Biarritz, France

Patrick Subotkiewiez (CC BY http://2.0) / Via flic.kr

Float·er \flōtər\ — riding up on the top of the breaking part of the wave, and coming down with it.

2. Oakura, New Zealand

Dave Young (CC BY http://2.0) / Via flic.kr

Kick out \kik out\ — finishing a ride by turning back out over the top of the wave.

3. Portimão, Portugal

Tiago Fernandes (CC BY http://2.0) / Via flic.kr

In the soup \in THə so͞op\ — when a surfer is in the white foam of a wave after it has broken.

4. Galicia, Spain

Miguel Navaza (CC BY http://2.0) / Via flic.kr

Drop \dräp\ — the initial downward slide on the face of a wave.

5. Bali Island, Indonesia

trubavin / iStock

Rip·ping \ripiNG\ — pulling off complex moves while on a wave.

6. Dana Point, California

Jeff_Dotson / iStock

Dawn pa·trol \dôn pəˈtrōl\ — surfing first thing in the morning.

7. Long Reef, Australia

PomInOz / iStock

Fetch \feCH\ — the ocean area over which wind blows.

8. Durban, South Africa

ChrisVanLennepPhoto / iStock

Bar·rel \barəl\ — a hollow-faced wave, also known as the "tube" or "green room."

9. Rincón, Puerto Rico

Ibrahim Cordero / Atlanta Journal-Constitution / MCT

O·ver·head \ōvərˈhed\ — waves that are bigger than a surfer when standing up.

10. Oahu, Hawaii

Andreas Winter (CC BY http://2.0) / Via flic.kr

Ace \ās\ — to go solo or be in a solitary state of mind.

11. Half Moon Bay, California

Steve Jurvetson (CC BY http://2.0) / Via flic.kr

Heav·y \hevē\ — powerful, difficult waves.

12. Barcelona, Spain

SayLuiiiis (CC BY-SA http://2.0) / Via flic.kr

Air \e(ə)r\ — a trick where the board takes off from the lip of the wave.

Still haven't caught enough waves? Check out these (surf's) up-and-coming photographers featured by The Inertia.