# Slab

> A thick, heavy wave that breaks suddenly over shallow reef or rock, often with a step in the face.

**What "slab" means in surfing:** A thick, heavy wave that breaks suddenly over shallow reef or rock, often with a step in the face. Slabs are among the most dangerous waves to ride.

**Category:** Waves

## Related words

- [Reef break](https://surfslang.com/reef-break): A wave that breaks over rock or coral.
- [Barrel](https://surfslang.com/barrel): The hollow space inside a wave when its lip throws out ahead of the face, forming a tube a surfer can ride through.
- [Heavy](https://surfslang.com/heavy): Serious, dangerous or intense.

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Source: [Slab](https://surfslang.com/slab) on Surfslang.com, the surf slang glossary. Full glossary: https://surfslang.com/llms.txt