Surf, swash, backwash

What is surf? Surf is breaking water on a beach.

Surf.
Video: a surf video is available by clicking the start arrow.
Video: a surfing video is available by clicking the start arrow.

When a wave approaches the coast it starts to rear up. Eventually the wave breaks and a white foaming crest appears. Whitewater by the coast is surf.

When the breaking waves moves onshore it is called swash; when it flows back offshore it is called backwash.


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