Alley Oop Meaning in Surfing

An alley oop is a specific type of aerial rotation in surf. The surfer launches off the wave and spins toward the breaking foam. This move involves a backward rotation while moving forward along the wave face. It requires a high degree of athleticism and a very fast wave section. The board must stay under the feet of the rider during the spin. Landing an alley oop is difficult because the surfer travels against the flow. A surfer spins backward in the air and lands on the moving face. This maneuver looks very graceful when performed with speed and high vertical lift. One athlete completes a clean alley oop at a windy beach break spot. Advanced riders use this move to show mastery of flight and board control.