takeoff

Ride-opening maneuver in which the surfer stops paddling, pushes up into a standing position, and begins to drop down the wave face. Although simple in concept, timing a takeoff correctly is one of the most difficult aspects of the sport. A misjudged or overly ambitious takeoff, furthermore, can result in a spectacular and potentially dangerous wipeout; a 1982 Surfer magazine article introduced the expression TOADS (Take Off And Die Syndrome) with a 10-page pictorial of surfers getting tumble...