If you’re new to SUP or eFoil you’ll meet jargon that sounds Martian. Here’s a no-fluff cheat sheet so you understand your instructor from minute one.
Basic SUP terms
- SUP: stand-up paddle.
- Hard vs inflatable: inflatables (iSUP) pack down; hard boards (epoxy/sandwich) are faster and more stable at high pace.
- All-around: versatile beginner board (10–11 ft, 32–34″ wide).
- Touring: long board (12’6″ or more) for distance.
- Race: narrow, fast, competition.
- Deck pad: EVA non-slip foot area.
- Leash: cord tying ankle to board; mandatory in open water.
- Fin: bottom blade for tracking. Often removable.
- Paddle: 15-20 cm taller than you.
- T-grip: top T-shape grip on paddle.
- Pump: inflator for iSUPs.
Advanced terms
- Cadence: strokes per minute. 50-60 cruise; 70+ workout.
- Stroke: full paddle motion (catch, pull, exit, recovery).
- Catch: blade entry into water.
- Feathering: rotate blade to cut air drag.
- Stance: feet position. Parallel for flat, staggered for waves.
- Pivot turn: turn pivoting on the tail.
- Buoy turn: race turn around a buoy.
eFoil terms
- Foil: the mast + wing assembly underwater.
- Mast: vertical pole, 70-90 cm.
- Front wing: main lifting surface. Bigger = more stable, slower.
- Stabilizer / tail wing: small rear wing that stabilises.
- Fuselage: horizontal tube linking mast, front wing, stabiliser.
- Pitch: nose up/down. Controlled with body weight.
- Roll: side angle. Controlled with foot pressure.
- Lift-off: foil starts producing lift, board leaves the water.
- Stall: lift loss when too slow.
- Touch and go: brush water and lift again without falling.
- Battery cycle: charge-discharge cycle. Waydoo batteries last 200-400.
Wind and sea terms
- Embat: thermal afternoon breeze in Mallorca.
- Tramuntana: Balearic north wind.
- Ground swell: long-distance wave train arriving from far.
- Wind chop: local wave from current wind.
- Leeward: sheltered side of wind.
- Windward: exposed side.
- Knot: 1.852 km/h. “15 knots” = ~28 km/h.
Local Mallorcan jargon
- Cala: small cove. Mallorca has hundreds.
- Migjorn: south wind in Mallorquin.
- Ponent: west wind.
- Es Trenc: famous south coast beach.
- Pollensa Bay: northern bay.
How to use it
Don’t memorise. Bookmark this and skim before your first lesson. Half the words show up in the first 10 minutes. Knowing them saves time and builds confidence.
Ready to use the vocabulary on the water? Book a lesson or rent your first SUP. Questions: contact.
Related: what is an efoil and wind guide.