What is a barrel in surfing?
A barrel (tube) is the hollow tunnel formed when a steep wave throws its lip out ahead of the face, which a skilled surfer can ride inside. Barrelling waves are usually reef or point breaks over shallow water.
Last updated · Surf & waves glossary
About Barrel
- Also called
- tube
Related terms
- Reef break
- A reef break is a wave that breaks over a coral or rock reef. The fixed bottom gives a consistent, often powerful wave, but shallow water over the reef makes wipeouts riskier.
- Offshore wind
- An offshore wind blows from the land out to sea. It holds up the face of a breaking wave and smooths the surface, which is why light offshore winds give the cleanest surf.