In surfing, what does “hang ten” mean?

In surfing, “hang ten” means placing both feet over the nose of the surfboard.

The maneuver is strongly associated with classic longboard surfing. A surfer walks or trims toward the front of the board until all ten toes extend beyond its nose, creating a distinctive appearance and requiring careful balance. The position works best on a stable, generally longer board and on a wave with a smooth, open face.

“Hang five” is a related maneuver in which only one foot extends over the nose. The two terms refer to toes, not the number of turns, seconds or points awarded. They also belong to a broader vocabulary of traditional longboard style, which includes walking the board and nose riding.

Nose riding became especially influential during the longboard era of the 1950s and 1960s. Modern surfers still perform the maneuver, although board design and judging priorities vary across different types of competition.