Surf Glossary Barrel / Tube

A barrel (also called a tube or green room) is the hollow cylindrical space formed when a breaking wave pitches over — creating a tunnel of water that a surfer can ride through.

Riding a barrel is widely considered the pinnacle surfing experience. The surfer positions themselves inside the hollow, crouching low while the wave lip encloses around them. Emerging from the tube is one of the highest-scoring manoeuvres in competition.

Barrels form on steep, hollow, fast-breaking waves. In Orange County, winter swells at the Wedge and Huntington Beach Pier can produce barrel conditions.

Barrel riding requires a precise pop-up, reading wave speed at take-off, a low crouching stance, and instinct to stall or trim as needed. These are developed in OCSC’s High Performance program.

Barrel moments are the focus of OCSC’s Pro Photo & Video service — in-water photographers capture the tube from angles impossible from the beach.