(Aggressive) Someone who brings bad karma into the water.
Amped
(Full of energy) Usually due to adrenaline, feeling wired or high on fear, either before paddling into huge waves, or the sheer stoke of being alive afterwards.
Axed
(Crushed, wiped out or whacked) "The lip of that big wave really axed me".
Awesome
(Incredible) Usually as another word for the sheer quality and size of a wave. "That wave at Supers was awesome, man!"

Babalas
('Bub-ba-lars') The hangover from hell, fondly referred to as a "Barbie".
Babe
Beautiful girl, usually to be found on the beaches and trendy clubs in summer.
Boatman
(Waveski rider) The more affectionate term for someone who rides a paddle ski. See Goatboat and Windmill.
Bodyboarder
Surfers who rides waves lying down on a sponge-like board.

Cape Doctor
The south-easterly wind which blows across the Cape Peninsula in summer, often forming a white cloud that rolls over Table Mountain in the shape of a "table cloth". It blows for up to a week or more at a time, often at gale-force strength, blowing all the pollution away. The air is beautifully clear and crisp after a south-easter. This is the wind that brings hundreds of windsurfers from all over the world to Cape Town.
Carving
When a good surfer slices up a wave using his board like a carving knife. Another term for high-performance surfing.
Catch a Tan
When you go out to roast in the sun on purpose.
Coolie
(A cooldrink).
Check
(Look, do you see?) "You check" (See what I mean? Do you follow? Are you with me?) or "Check this out" (Look at this).
China
A friend, a colleague or acquaintance, or someone you don't know at all. "Howzit China"
Chips
("Look out!") Someone will yell it just before the lip of a wave renders you senseless, the bouncer's fist greets your jaw or the "boere come and bust you for smoking dagga" (the cops catch you smoking dope). If a school boy is smoking a cigarette in the toilet, his friend will "keep chips" for him. In other words, keep a lookout for the teacher.
Chuck
(Depart, leave, go, split) "Let's chuck."
Classic
(Excellent, perfect, incredible) This is one of many superlatives in South African surf lingo. It denotes the best extreme achieved in a number of activities, people and objects. "The waves are classic." or "That girl is classic." or "I had a classic time." or "My car is classic." (This doesn't mean my car is a Model T Ford. It just means that it goes well, the boards never come off and the rust hasn't worn the floor away yet).
Closeout
When the wave breaks at the same time all the way down.
Cook
(Good surf) Nothing to do with preparing food. When the surf is cooking, then it's "going off it's face", it's "firing", it's "pumping". In other words, the surf is big, clean, has excellent shape and there are plenty of waves in a set. If someone "cooks", they are not a chef, they are extremely good at surfing.
Cool
The universal word referring to all things hip, okay, good, nice, funky, classic and kief. He is cool because he wears funky shades (fashion). That's cool (affirmation). We had such a cool time at Jay Bay (enjoyment).
Crash
(Go to sleep) "Do you want to crash out at my place?"
Cripple
The unfortunate term used to describe a kneeboarder.
Crush it
(Mull dope) This is what you do when preparing dagga by removing the pips and stalks. It is achieved by rubbing the heads against the palm of your other hand.

Dagga
('Dag-gah') (Marijuana, dope) South African word for dope.
Deck
(Flatten, punch) "I decked him after he dropped in on my wave."
Dip
(Punch) "I dipped him after he slept with my girfriend."
Doobie
(Dope, joint, spliff) "Let's make a doobie." Probably originates from the Doobie Brothers.
Doormat
Derogatory, but vaguely descriptive, term for a bodyboarder, who dislike "boogie boarder" more, for some reason. In Oz, there are a number of interesting variations, such as Esky Lid (Cool box lid) and toilet Lid.
Doss
(Sleep)
Drilled
(Axed, dumped, smoked, wiped-out)
Doob
(Joint) See joint, spleef, number, etc
Drop in
When another surf takes off in front of you on a wave. At Jeffreys Bay, this has lead to many a fist fight on the beach.
Duckdive
To duck under a broken wave by pushing the front of your surfboard under the water, then levering the back of the board with your knee or foot as the wave passes overhead. The desired result is to pop out the back perfectly, and then smirk when you realise the guy next to you has been washed 15 metres back.
Dump
A closeout wave dumps you.
Durban Poison
The name awarded one of South Africa's choice grade cannabis vintages. Grown in KwaZulu Natal, this dagga is minty, almost peppery, and "makes on". (Makes you totally wasted)
Durbs
(Durban). Affectionate name for the capital of KwaZulu Natal, home of bananas, sugar cane and classic beach breaks.

Eina
(Ouch) Widely used. Derived from Afrikaans. Pronounced "aynah", you can shout "Eina!" in sympathy when a shark bites your buddies' buttocks while surfing in the Kei.

Fade
(Lose strength, or power) When you back out of something, you fade. But a wave fades on the inside if the water gets deeper.
Firing
(Cooking surf) Another superlative to describe good surf. "Hey brah, Super's is firing on all cylinders."
Full on
(Absolutely, right on, to the limit) This is a definite affirmation or agreement, or trying to express an act that goes right to the edge. It could be used in this context: "That was a full-on drop-in." (That was definitely a drop-in)
Fully
This is also an affirmation. If this was the question: "Did you check Occy pull off that insane move at Boneyards?" this might be the answer: "Fully broer."

Gaffed
(Stoned) "Jissus, that joint made me so-o-o gaffed."
Gerrick
A piece of silver foil from a cigarette box, or the cardboard from the box, that is laid out square, rolled up and bent into a circle. This is then placed in the bottom of the bottleneck so the dagga doesn't fall out when taking a hit.
Glassy
When the texture of the ocean is like glass. Smooth conditions because there is no wind.
Goatboat
A derogatory method of describing a paddle skier, the sort of person that goes out in the surf paddling on a canoe that looks like a half-sucked lozenge. The reason why standup surfers don't like them much is because goatboats paddle faster. If in the wrong hands, they can also wreak havoc in the water.
Going Ballistic
With words like firing, smoking, barrel and going off, it's a natural progression to ballistic. "It was going off. It was firing. The waves were smoking. Barrel after grinding barrel. Shit man, I tune you what, it was going fucking ballistic!"
Going off
When the surf is incredibly good, a surfer will say the surf is "going off its face!" See also cooking, firing, pumping, smoking and going ballistic.
Goofed
(Stoned) "That spliff made me so goofed."
Graze
There is a strong agricultural tradition in South Africa. This might explain this word, which means "to eat" as in "Let's go and graze" or "What are you grazing?" or "What's for graze mom?" But be warned, don't mention sheep. That joke refers to another southern continent.
Grommet
A young surfer of school-going age. Can be shortened to Grom. This almost affectionate, brotherly word rarely has negative connotations. However, when a grommet is pissing you off, or keeps dropping in on you, he automatically becomes a kook, or worse.

Hey
Used for emphasis. "So you're a surfer hey?" or on its own as a way of saying "excuse me?" or "pardon?"
Hit
This is not used in the mafia sense in South Africa, much. Apart from it's other meanings (to give someone a smack), it is widely used to denote a toke on a joint. "Give me a hit of that joint please." Another way to ask would be to replace "hit" with the word "drag".
Hone
(Stink). See hum. "Your feet hone bru"! (Common in the Eastern Cape.)
Hottie
Someone who surfs really well. A surfer who is hot.
Howzit
The famous South African greeting. Short for "How is it?" Try and refrain from saying, "It's fine, thanks". This will only lead to a funny look. A suitable reply is: "No, fine", which actually means "Yes, I am fine". The word "no" is often taken to mean "yes".
How's your mind?
(Are you mad?!) This question, often in exasperation or irritation, refers to the mental stability of the subject, who has probably done something stupid, idiotic or irritating.
Hum
(Good surf, busy, smelly) There are three variations to this word. It's another way of describing good surf. But also, "Surfers' Disco was humming last night." (Really busy) and "He hums like a skunk." (stink)

Impact Zone
Also called the pit. It is where the waves break. At the Crayfish Factory on a 12' day, you don't really want to spend time there.
Isit?
(Izzit?) This conversational word is used widely and in response to just about anything. Derived perhaps from the English way of saying "Is it really"

Jacked, Jacking
(Rising swell, or organised person) "The surf is jacking up" (The surf is getting bigger). "Supers jacked up to 6' in an hour." But even, "that oke is jacked" (That guy is really organised).
Jammie
(Car) "You have a kief jammie, broer" (You have a nice car, brah)
Jay Bay
Does this need explanation? Jeffreys Bay, the mecca of surfing in South Africa. The town is similar to Torquay in Australia, also home to big name surf brands, and near a world-class wave. The only difference is the consistency of Super Tubes, which ranks as one of the best five waves on Planet Earth.
Jol
('Jawl') The word jol, like the word kief, is a generic South African word. It refers to having a good time and is used in any context. "I am going on a jol (party)." "I am having a jol (good time)." "That spectacular wipeout at Super Tubes was a jol (rush)."
Just now
Universally used, it means "eventually", sometimes "never". If someone says he will do it "just now" it could be in 10 minutes or tomorrow or never. "I'll clean my room just now, Ma."

Kak
('Kuk') (Shit) This is used in all sorts of weird and wonderful ways, in exactly the same way as the word "shit". Hence, "Don't talk kak." or "Don't give me kak."
The Kei
('Kye') (The Transkei) This former homeland of Apartheid days is part of the Eastern Cape. It remains rural and beautiful, with rolling green hills that fall into the sea as jagged cliffs. These punctuate white beaches, bays and river mouths. A famous dagga growing area and birthplace of our former president, Nelson Mandela, known as Madiba. Surfers know it for its dagga, great camping spots, excellent point breaks and sharks.
Kief
('Keef') Something that's nice. Like "nice", it can be used in any context. "This chow is kief." (This food is delicious). "I just had such a kief wave."
Kowie
(Port Alfred) Affectionate term for this sleepy Eastern Cape town. It's the name of the river that runs through Port Alfred, home to the famous East Pier.
Kook
Someone who can't surf and gets in everyone's way. A kook is not necessarily a grommet, although a grommet can be a kook. Kooks can be all ages. Grommets are schoolkids.
Kreef
('Kree-erf') The Afrikaans, or Cape Malay, name for the Cape rock lobster. The kelpy nutrient-rich waters of the Cape are home to millions of these crustaceans. Poaching is a problem, but the bounty of the sea seems to continue providing. Make friends with a local and go kreef diving, or bait them with a lobster pot (the kreef, not the locals). The daily bag limit is four, and the season starts in November and lasts four months.

Lacerate
That hot surfer rips, tears, carves and, of course, lacerates. In fact, all slashing, cutting, ripping motions can be applied to a surfer who is "going off" in "cooking waves".
Lank
(A lot) "There are lank people in the water."

Larney
(Fancy, designer clothes, snob, friend) A number of variations on a word denoting someone who is well-dressed, or designer clothes, or a well-to-do function. The person can be larney. The clothes can be larney as in "Jees, you are wearing larney clothes." or "Why are you dressed so larney?" or a high-class dinner do as in "We went to a larney party that had caviar for pudding." For coloured people in the Cape, it means "Friend". "Hoesit my larnie!" (Hello there my friend!)
Lekker
An Afrikaans word meaning nice, this word is used by all language groups to express approval. If you see someone of the opposite sex who is good-looking, you can exclaim: "Lekkerrr!" while drawing out the last syllable. But that use is now thought politically incorrect in some areas.
Legend
(Hero, good guy, classy) Down in the Eastern Cape, when the party is ripping, and everyone starts getting all soppy and sentimental, they might start calling each other "legends". Also heard when someone pulls off a lank clever move. "Jono, you LEGEND!" his friends might say. Can be shortened to "lej". "That session was leg, broer!"
Lightey
(Youngster) "That lightey is a pretty good surfer, for a grommet." (That boy surfs well, considering he belongs to a lower caste)

Madiba
The clan name for former President Mandela that has become universally used as an affectionate nickname. His full name is Nelson Rolihlahla (Roli-shla-shla) Mandela. His clan name is used widely, even by the press.
Majat
(Low grade dope). "This kak is majat broer." (This crap is low grade brother).
Malawi Cobs
An earthy marijuana species grown in Malawi. Wrapped in a corn sheath and buried underground for months, the Malawi Cob brings an interesting dimension to the array of smoking possibilities in South Africa. It will make you "lekker goofed".
Mif
(Horrible, gross, yucky)
Mix
(Tobacco to dilute strong dope).
Moer
('Moor-r') (Hit, punch) Another Afrikaans word meaning to hit someone. "I will moer you if you take off on my wave."
Mozzie
(Mosquito)
Mull
To prepare the dope before you smoke it. See Crush it for a detailed explanation.
Mullet
It does not necessarily refer to the fish of this name used as bait, but someone who is crazy, or whacky. "That ou is a mullet." He doesn't have to be insane, (one beer short of a sixpack), just eccentric or strange.

Nooit
('Noy-t') (No way) Another way of saying no, but also a sign of incredulous response. If you have just heard a South African won the world surfing champs, you would say, "Nooit! Are you serious?"
Nought
('Nawt') (No) Used like nooit. Used in the Eastern Cape as a reference to a person's assehole. "I fell on my nought."

Oke
('Oak') (Guy, chap, bloke) You can also say "ou", pronounced "Oh."
On a mission
When you're determined to complete a task, you are "on a mission".
Over the falls
The classic surf wipeout, when the lip of the wave sucks you over, followed by a double impact (wave and water) and several cycles in a salty washing machine.

Park off
(Chill out) When you park off, you sit down and relax. "Shall we park off and watch the Rip Curl Search video for the 40th time?" It can also mean to sit down, as in, "Donovan, why don't you park here?"
Park a tiger
(To vomit, or puke) Sometimes referred to as the multi-coloured yawn.
Pipe
(bottleneck) The orifice through which dagga (dope) is smoked.
Pit
This is where you don't want to be when a huge set wave is breaking. It refers to the impact zone, the area where the waves break.
Pitchie
(Dope pip) This is a quaint term for a small dagga seed.
Pondoloand Fever
After chilling out in the Transkei (East Coast), you run the risk of contracting Pondoland fever. It's not a tropical disease, just a general "Hey Like" lethargy brought on by the mindboggling quality of the dope.
Pull an action
Someone who has done something very undesirable, such as driving over a friend's surfboard.
Pull in
To enter the barrel or the tube is to "pull in". It is also used as an invitation. "Pull in to our jol tonight broer" (Come to our party tonight, brah)
Pumping
(Good surf) See also, cooking, firing, going off, going ballistic, smoking.

Rage
Not to be confused with the emotional extreme associated with anger. However, the behaviour of someone having a rage, or on a rage, is not dissimilar. They tend to jerk around at high speed, emitting strangled sounds, while techno or heavy metal music pounds in their ears. To have a rage is to go on a serious party, to push the limits of social etiquette and subject the body to a variety of excessive stimulants and stimuli. This is the second biggest habit of most surfers.
Rave
The rave is similar to a Rage, but tends to be a little less intense. Having a rave suggests more of a good time. In other words, being able to remember what you did the night before. "I had such a rave with that girl I met on the beach."
Rip
What a good surfer does when riding a wave. "He rips it apart." Also refers to rip currents in the sea. "He got caught in the rip."
Robot
(Traffic light) Peculiar way of describing a traffic light. But then, we only got TV in the mid 1970s.
Rock Up
(To arrive) The more old fashioned way of saying "pull in". You don't tell anyone you're on the way, you just rock up.
Rooibos
(Red bush tea) This tannin-free herb tea comes mostly from the Clanwilliam area of the Western Cape. It is made from the Aspalathus linearis bush. Homesick South Africans buy it from gourmet stores around the world, even if they don't like it.
Rush
A spurt of adrenal thrill. "I got such a rush riding that 15' barrel at the Crayfish Factory."

Samoosa
(Fried triangular curried pie) Made to a Malay recipe, samoosas can be found in cafes around the country. The best are in Cape Town, cultural home of the Malay community. This rich culture has had an enormous influence on the country's culinary tradition.
Samp
An African food made from rough corn. It is starchy and is often eaten with haricot or red beans, dunked in gravy stew. Delicious.
Sarmie
(Sandwich) Kids sometimes take a sarmie to school in the morning.
Schnarf
(Cocaine) "Let's score some schnarf." (Let's buy some cocaine)
Score
When you go and buy something, usually drugs. Also refers to gratification when the goal is reached after looking for sex.
Section
(Part of a wave, part of a joint) When you hit a section called Impossibles at Jay Bay, you get pitted in an awesome barrel from which you will be lucky to emerge.
Shark biscuits
(Bodyboarders) Term originating from Australia, but taking off in South Africa, so to speak.
Shot
(Thanks) "Shot my broer." Also, "Shot Dot".
Shorebreak
Waves that break right on the beach.
Shredding
This pertains, once again, to those awesome carving, ripping, tearing moves being pulled off by, say, Kelly Slater.
Sif
('Suf') (Disgusting thing, see mif) A shortened version of syphillus, sif doesn't necessarily refer to disease, but could refer to a gangrenous coral wound, an overused long drop toilet, a car accident or a chorb.
Sis
('Sus') (Yuck) "Sis, man, you just kotched on my wetsuit." (Yuck, man, you just vomited on my wetsuit)
Sjoe
('Shoe') (Expletive) "Sjoe broer, that wave was awesome."
Skeef
('Skee-urf') (Crooked, provocative) A classic saying heard in bars around South Africa is "Are you checking me skeef, China?" (Are you looking at me funny, brah?) This often precedes a brawl or barnie.
Skeem
(Think, opinion) "You skeem?" (You think so?) "What do you skeem?" (What do you think?)
Slot in
Another way of pulling into a tube. "Peter was perfectly slotted" (Peter rode the tube perfectly)
Slumtown, Slummies
Affectionate nickname for East London, which is near some excellent surf, namely Nahoon Reef, Yellowsands and Queensberry Bay, to name only a few.
Smoking
(Good surf) Also cooking, firing, going off, going ballistic, smoking.
Snoek
This is a fierce fish found in the sea off Cape Town. It has sharp teeth and is long and narrow like a barracuda. It is the staple diet and living for many Malay fisherman on the peninsula. It is pronounced "snook", as in "look". It tastes great when fresh. Dried, salted snoek can be eaten as is, or served in a stew called "smoor-vis". It tastes better than it sounds.
Southeaster
Strong trade wind that comes from the southeast and flattens Cape Town for large portions of the summer. See Cape Doctor.
Sosatie
(Kebab) Made from either chicken, lamb or beef, this is often interspersed with pieces of tomato, green pepper, onion and sometimes fruit, especially apricot.
Spat out
The fortunate few who have been spat out of a tube with a burst of spray when compressed air caught in the swirling cylinder is suddenly released.
Spleef
(Splif) South African variation of a joint. See doob, number, bane.
Squeeze
(Girlfriend)
Staunch
(Dik, big, strong)
Stoked
(Totally amped up, revved up, happy)
Stop, Stoppe
('Staw-pper') (A "section" of dope) If you buy a stop, or stoppe, you are scoring weed in a specific package, usually a sausage-shaped parcel wrapped in newspaper.
Styling
When you're styling, everything clicks into place and you find yourself surfing like Kelly Slater, Tom Curren and "insert-favourite-surfer-here" rolled into one.
Surfari
(Surf trip) "I went on a surfari to Indo."
Suss
(Savvy) "Having a bit of suss", is to be quite sharp, knowledgeable or street-wise. "I have sussed it out" (I have worked it out).
Swazi Reds
Another potent cannabis vintage, from Swaziland. It is dark red, with sticky furry hairs on the heads. A prime choice for connoisseurs.

Tearing
A hot surfer in the process of ripping up the waves. Other synonyms are rip, carve, lacerate, cook, shred and style.
The moer in
(roll the r) (Very angry) "Jissus, you make me the moer in!"
Transkei Gold
The best cannabis vintage from Transkei. There are numerous grades and types that grow in this bounteous area. See Lusisikiki Lime Greens. You also get Rooibaard (Red Beard), Durban Poison, Swazi Gold and Malawi Cob. On the Rooibaard, the sticky heads have red hairs on them. This dope is so gooey, you have to use scissors.
Tune
('Choon') (To tell, to talk, to provoke) For instance, "Don't tune me grief" (Don't give me your bullshit) or "Are you tuning me kak?" (Are you giving me shit?). "Tune me the ages" (Tell me the time).
Van Der Merwe
Like Paddy in Ireland, Van der Merwe is the butt of South African jokes. Lacking in the social graces, "Van" is usually a "plaas jaapie". (farm boy).

Vrot
('Frort') (Rotten, putrid) Used by all language groups to describe something highly undesirable, or smelly, or rotten. It can also mean drunk to the point of being completely paralytic. "I was vrot last night"

Wasted
(Paralytic drunk or totally high) "I was completely wasted at the party"
Wedge
When there is a break near a wall, pier or jetty. The waves come in, rebound off the wall and travel sideways into the oncoming swell. This pushes up the wave in the middle, forming an A-framed wedge. If you take off on the wedgey part, you get loads of speed and can hit the lip with lots of force, getting lots of air.
Wobbly
(Panic attack, fit of rage, nervous breakdown) "Peter threw a wobbly after someone drove a Nissan Sani over his new 7'8" custom surfboard."
Woes, woesie
(Wimp, pansie, naff, weakling)
Wettie
(A drink, refreshment) "Hey brah, I'm lank thirsty, lets grab a wettie."
Windmill
(Name for a waveski rider) See Goatboat.
Wheat
(Dope) See doob, zol, dagga, bane, whacky backy, number

Zol
('Zawl') A joint commonly rolled out of a piece of newspaper and stuck together with saliva. Many township residents smoke tobacco this way.
Zonked
Completely stoned.