L.A. SPEAK : Windsurfer Wordage

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.