General
clean-up set
What does clean-up set mean?
A set of waves much bigger than the rest that breaks farther out and 'cleans up' the lineup, catching everyone inside.
"A rogue clean-up set caught the whole pack and sent boards flying."
Origin
Surf slang for a set that 'cleans up' unsuspecting surfers.
Frequently asked questions
What is a clean-up set?
It's a set of waves much bigger than the rest that breaks farther out and washes over the whole lineup, catching everyone inside.
Why is it called a clean-up set?
Because it 'cleans up' the lineup, sweeping caught-out surfers off their boards all at once.
Are clean-up sets dangerous?
They can be. They break unexpectedly outside where surfers are sitting, so people get caught inside, wiped out and separated from their boards.
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