General
tombstone
What does tombstone mean?
When a surfer is held underwater and the buoyant board bobs upright on the surface like a tombstone, marking the rider fighting up the leash.
"His board was tombstoning — everyone knew he was pinned down deep."
Origin
Surf slang; the vertical bobbing board resembles a tombstone.
Frequently asked questions
What does tombstoning mean in surfing?
It's when a surfer is held underwater and their board bobs vertically on the surface, held up by the taut leash, resembling a tombstone.
Is a tombstoning board a bad sign?
Yes. It usually means the rider is pinned down deep and struggling up their leash, so it's treated as a serious warning sign in the lineup.
Why is it called a tombstone?
Because the board standing upright and bobbing on the surface looks like a grave marker over the surfer trapped below.
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