L.A. SPEAK : Windsurfer Wordage
- Share via
biff: n. a small bruise, cut or bump that appears mysteriously after windsurfing.
Gorge: n. a mile-wide, 80-mile long stretch of the Columbia River on the Oregon-Washington border. It’s a windsurfing mecca because of its strong and consistent winds.
Ho’okipa: n. the windsurfing mecca. A beach on the north shore of Maui where massive waves break on a shallow reef. “The shore break was so big today that I thought I was out at Ho’okipa. “
impact zone: n. the point where a wave collapses upon itself. No place to be on a windsurfer.
loop: n. a 360-degree mid-air maneuver. “Wow, he made that loop look casual!”
nukin’: adj. wind speeds in excess of 40 knots. “It was nukin’ down at Cabrillo today.”
ramp: n. the back of a wave or river swell that provides an ideal launch for a jump or loop.
skunked: adv. not getting wind. “We went to Baja last month, but got skunked every day.
white mist: n. vapor that appears on the water’s surface in nukin’ winds.
Sign up for The Wild
We’ll help you find the best places to hike, bike and run, as well as the perfect silent spots for meditation and yoga.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
