General
crest
What does crest mean?
The highest, top section of a wave before it begins to break.
"Spray blew off the crest as the offshore held it up."
Origin
Standard wave-anatomy term used throughout surfing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the crest of a wave?
It's the highest, top section of a wave, just before it begins to break.
What's the opposite of the crest?
The trough, which is the lowest point between waves; the crest is the peak above it.
Is crest a surf-only term?
No. Crest is a standard wave-anatomy term used in science and everyday language, though surfers use it constantly to describe the top of a wave.
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