Definitions: What is hitting the lip?

The "lip" is the highest point of the wave just before it breaks by either crumbling or tubing. Depending on the wind strength and direction, a lip can have many moods, making it a very tough challenge and not something people who are more used to indoor sports should immediately try. For instance, an on-shore wind (one that blows from behind the wave and toward the beach) can create a cushiony, white-water bank across the wave top.
While a wind blowing away from the beach directly toward the open wave face(or off-shore)finely sculpts the lip into a more sharply defined section with lots of curve as it throws out and over as a barrel.

Hitting or bashing the lip can also be termed a "re-entry", "straight up", or any word that depicts the sound of a good lip hitting maneuver such as "wack", "smack", or my favorite "shralp".

How to Hit the Lip: The Set Up

Assuming that you can stand up and ride somewhat confidently down the face of a wave, we can proceed with the maneuver which begins as soon as you get to your feet. You should be eyeing up you target zone just as you get into you bottom turn. Look down the line and keep you eye focused on the spot you think will be standing tall and pitching out just as you approach it. In order to meet up with your corresponding section, you may have to adjust your line whether you need to ride high and wait for the wave to stand up or get low and speed up to meet an oncoming section. As with all maneuvers in surfing, speed is of utmost concern since it dictates how smoothly and powerfully you will complete your move.

How to Hit the Lip: The Move

It sounds quite violent, but if done correctly, hitting the lip should be flowing and controlled. Just as you approach your target zone, put more weight on your back foot in order to create a pivot effect that will enable you to move the forward half of your board side to side like a windshield wiper.

In addition, your weighted tail will help position you squarely below the lip, but the key is to keep your speed, so that you can shift your weight back to the midpoint of your board enabling you to rotate smoothly once you feel the lip hit the bottom of your board.

In mushy waves, you will have to use your back and knee strength to guide your board back down on to the face of the wave. Otherwise, you and your board will get stuck at the top, and you will be left standing while the your wave travels on. In juicier waves, however, you need only to keep your weight on the crucial midpoint of your board and your feet planted firmly,letting the wave's power do all the work. Be careful if you hit a lip on a powerful wave because you run the risk of being thrown far out into the flats. On a bigger wave, this could mean freefalling quite a large distance.

How to Hit the Lip: Looking Back

To review: Plan ahead and keep your eye on the vertical section you want to hit, generate as much speed as possible, use your back foot weight to pivot your board to a more vertical position, use your back and knees to guide your board back down into the wave. If everything goes as planned, you should find yourself now standing in the trough (bottom) of the wave getting ready for your next move.