General
pearl
What does pearl mean?
To accidentally drive the nose of the board underwater on takeoff, usually pitching the surfer over the front.
"He leaned too far forward and pearled straight off the drop."
Origin
Surf slang, from 'pearl diving'; the nose 'dives for pearls'.
Frequently asked questions
What does it mean to pearl a surfboard?
It means the nose of the board digs underwater, usually on takeoff, which stops the board dead and pitches the surfer forward.
Why do surfers pearl?
Usually from having weight too far forward or catching the wave too late, so the nose drives under instead of planing across the surface.
Where does the term pearl come from?
It's from pearl diving, the idea being the nose of the board is 'diving for pearls' under the water.
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