'Crush' on You

Anne Marie (played by Kate Bosworth) Not only is the movie's blonde protagonist blessed with the freckled, high-cheekboned good looks of a Ralph Lauren model, she's a natural-born surfer who's been winning competitions since she was a kid. Like most Hollywood heroes, Anne Marie has a dream: In her case, it's winning a sponsorship that would let her get paid to ride the waves she loves, instead of toiling as a hotel maid.

Banzai Pipeline This fabled surfing spot (or ''break'') on the North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii, is the setting of ''Blue Crush'' and home to some of the world's biggest waves; they're known as pipeline, or, as the movie's characters tend to say, pipe. ''Pipeline's one of the scariest waves you can surf in the world -- it's serious stuff,'' says Peter Townend, publisher of Surfing Magazine and a former world champion surfer.

''Blocking waves'' This term refers to the practice of a surfer's buddies helping him or her claim a wave by preventing others from riding it.

''Charge pipe'' This is what great surfers are supposed to do: approach waves aggressively.

Eden (played by Michelle Rodriquez) The tomboyish Eden seems to live vicariously through the triumphs of her training partner and pal Anne Marie -- and, the movie hints, may harbor a desire to be more than friends. She gets angry -- and maybe even jealous -- when Anne Marie considers ditching surfing for love. Eden is a surfboard shaper (surfboards are still made by hand) -- which is somewhat unlikely, since almost all shapers on the North Shore are men, says Townend.

Kate Skarratt This real-life, female pro surfer appears as herself in ''Blue Crush,'' as do fellow pros Keala Kennelly and Layne Beachley. They may not be as glamorous as Bosworth, but at least they can ride monster waves without the help of a visual effects team.

''Lay pipe'' This term, which pops up on the cover of a fake surfing mag in the movie, doesn't exist, says Sam George, editor of Surfer Magazine: ''No magazine would ever say 'lay pipe.'''

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