floater

surfing maneuver

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Last updated

July 16, 2026

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In surfing, a "floater" is a maneuver where a rider "floats" the board along the top of a breaking wave. This technique allows surfers to adjust their position and weight to keep pace with the wave, essentially riding on its surface. It is one of several spectacular maneuvers performed on contemporary surfboards, which are designed to be short, narrow, and light, enabling free movement around the wave. Other maneuvers include tailslides, reverses, 360s, and airs. The development of lighter and more maneuverable boards, aided by materials like fiberglass and polyurethane, has transformed surfing into a dynamic sport.1

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surfing
Equipment and techniques
…face of the wave), “floaters” (“floating” the board along the top of a breaking wave), “reverses” (rapid changes of direction), 360s (turning the board through 360 degrees on the face of the wave), and “airs” (flying above the face of the wave).
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…face of the wave), “floaters” (“floating” the board along the top of a breaking wave), “reverses” (rapid changes of direction), 360s (turning the board through 360 degrees on the face of the wave), and “airs” (flying above the face of the wave).
Read More