Face Meaning in Surfing

The face is the unbroken vertical surface of a wave before it falls. Surfers ride across this wall of water to gain speed and perform tricks. This area provides the canvas for carving paths with the rails of boards. The height of the face determines the size and intensity of the surf. A smooth face allows for fast and clean movements across the open water. Wind conditions can make the face either glassy or very choppy and bumpy. A surfer zooms across the steep wall of a large ocean swell. Keeping the board flat on the face generates the most forward velocity. This section remains the primary playground for every surfer during a ride.