Surfing is a
surface water sport in which the wave rider, referred to as a surfer, rides on the forward or deep face of a moving
wave, which is usually carrying the surfer towards the
shore. Waves suitable for surfing are primarily found in the
ocean, but can also be found in
lakes or in
rivers in the form of a
standing wave or
tidal bore. However, surfers can also utilize artificial waves such as those from boat wakes and the waves created in artificial
wave pools. The term
surfing refers to the act of riding a wave, regardless of whether the wave is ridden with a board or without a board, and regardless of the stance used (goofy or regular stance). The native peoples of the Pacific, for instance, surfed waves on
alaia, paipo, and other such craft, and did so on their belly and knees. The actual modern-day definition of surfing, however, most often refers to a surfer riding a wave standing up on a
surfboard; this is also referred to as stand-up surfing.