General
party wave
What does party wave mean?
A wave ridden by two or more surfers at once, on purpose and in good spirits, rather than someone dropping in.
"The whole crew jumped on one closeout for a laughing party wave."
Origin
Modern surf slang for a shared, celebratory ride.
Frequently asked questions
What is a party wave?
It's a wave that two or more surfers ride together on purpose and in good fun, rather than one person having it to themselves.
Isn't riding the same wave as someone against the rules?
Dropping in on someone uninvited is a breach of etiquette, but a party wave is different because everyone agrees to share it and it's all in good spirits.
When do party waves happen?
Often on mellow closeouts or with a friendly crew, where surfers deliberately pile onto one wave for a laugh.
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Vocabulary Flow — saved to your collection.