Definition of surfer

The word "surfer" is a relatively modern term, dating back to the early 20th century. It evolved from the verb "to surf," which itself derived from the Hawaiian word "he'e nalu," meaning "to ride the wave." Early surfers in Hawaii were known as "he'e nalu," but as surfing gained popularity in other parts of the world, the English term "surfer" emerged. The word likely combined the verb "to surf" with the "-er" suffix common for denoting practitioners of activities.