Surfing is a form of surface water sport where the surfer “rides” a breaking wave using a surfboard. A surfer looks for a rideable wave on the horizon and matches its speed by paddling or towing-in. Once the surfer is carried forward by the wave, the surfer will then have to quickly jump to his feet and continue on to ride down the face of the wave, generally staying just ahead of the white water (breaking part) or “the pocket” of the wave.
There are various forms to this water sport, all based on varying methods and equipments used to ride a wave. Surfing forms include stand-up surfing, which is the most common form; kneeboarding, where the participant is towed behind a motor boat; bodyboarding, which involves riding the wave lying down or “prone”, and half-standing stance or “dropknee” and bodysurfing which involves riding a wave without the assistance of any buoyant device. Surfing is a popular sport, which represents a multi-billion dollar industry. Some of the best known surf breaks are located in California, East Java, Victoria and Queensland in Australia, South Africa, Mexico, Tahiti, and Hawaii.