General
close-out
What does close-out mean?
A wave that breaks simultaneously along its whole length, leaving no shoulder to ride and making it essentially unrideable.
"Every set was a close-out slamming straight onto the sand."
Origin
Surf term for a wave that 'closes out' along its face at once.
Frequently asked questions
What is a 'close-out' in surfing?
It's a wave that breaks all at once along its entire length, leaving no open shoulder to ride, which makes it essentially unrideable.
Why do waves close out?
Usually when the sandbar or conditions cause the whole wave to break at the same time instead of peeling gradually from one side.
Can you surf a close-out?
Not really — with no rideable open face there's nowhere to go, though skilled surfers sometimes use them to launch a quick air before it slams shut.
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