General
trough
What does trough mean?
The bottom or lowest point of the wave, between the crest of one wave and the next.
"From the trough the next set looked twice as tall."
Origin
Standard wave-anatomy term used throughout surfing.
Frequently asked questions
What is a trough in surfing?
It is the lowest point of a wave, the dip between the crest of one wave and the next.
How is trough used by surfers?
Surfers reference the trough to describe wave height and how steep the next wave looks from below, e.g. 'from the trough the set looked huge.'
Is trough a surf-only word?
No. It is standard wave-anatomy terminology used in oceanography and physics, but surfers use it constantly to describe conditions.
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