When you start out in SUP it can seem like there's a lot to learn and it isn't helped by other Stand up paddle surfers using what seems like an alien language to describe elements of the sport. Here, for the first time on SUP magic we decipher some of the most commonly heard terms for you.

* Regular/Natural foot - Right foot on back of board
* Goofy foot - Left foot on back of board
* Take off - the start of a waveride
* Drop in - dropping into (engaging) the wave
* Snaking, Drop in on, cut off, or "burn" - taking off on a wave in front of someone closer to the peak (considered inappropriate)
* Snaking/Back-Paddling - paddling around someone to get into the best position for a wave (in essence, stealing it)
* Bottom turn - the first turn at the bottom of the wave
* Shoulder - the unbroken part of the wave
* Cutback - a turn cutting back toward the breaking part of the wave
* Fade - on take off, aiming toward the breaking part of the wave, before turning sharply and surfing in the direction the wave is breaking towards
* Over the falls - When a sup surfer falls and the wave carries him in a circular motion with the lip of the wave, also referred to as the "wash cycle", being "pitched over" and being "sucked over" because the wave can suck the surfer off of the bottom and draw him or her "over the falls."
* Pump - an up/down carving movement that generates speed along a wave
* Stall - slowing down by shifting weight to the tail of the board or putting a hand in the water
* Floater - riding up on the top of the breaking part of the wave, and coming down with it (invented at Terrigal Beach, Central Coast Australia)
* Hang-five/hang ten - putting five or ten toes respectively over the nose of a board
* Hang Heels - Facing backwards and putting your heels over the edge of a board.
* Re-entry - hitting the lip vertically and re-rentering the wave in quick succession.
* Switch-foot - having equal ability to surf regular foot or goofy foot (i.e. left foot forward or right foot forward) -- like being ambidextrous
* Tube riding/Getting barreled - riding inside the hollow curl of a wave
* Carve - turns (often accentuated)
* Pearl - accidentally driving the nose of the board underwater, generally ending the ride
* Off the Top - a turn on the top of a wave, either sharp or carving
* Snap - a quick, sharp turn off the top of a wave
* Fins-free snap (or "fins out") - a sharp turn where the fins slide off the top of the wave
* Air/Aerial - riding the board briefly into the air above the wave, landing back upon the wave, and continuing to ride.
* Grom/Grommet - young surfer (usually under 15 or so)
* Wipe Out- Falling off your board while riding a wave. Accident while involved with surfing .