General
drainer
What does drainer mean?
An intensely hollow, sucking barrel, often over shallow reef, that appears to 'drain' the water off the bottom as it breaks.
"Low tide turned it into a shallow drainer over dry rock."
Origin
Surf slang for a barrel that drains water off the reef as it pitches.
Frequently asked questions
What is a drainer in surfing?
It is an intensely hollow, sucking barrel, often over shallow reef, that appears to drain the water off the bottom as it breaks.
Why is it called a drainer?
Because the wave pulls so much water off the reef as it pitches that the bottom looks like it is draining.
Are drainers dangerous?
They can be, since they often break over shallow reef or rock and demand a committed, skilled surfer.
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Vocabulary Flow — saved to your collection.
