forehander

Noun

1. A shot played forehand.
2. A surfer who approaches a swell facing the wave ("on their forehand") rather than with the wave behind them ("on their backhand").
   • The morning brought an increased swell; long, perfect, down-the-line, 6-8' freight trains — a forehander's dream and a backhanders nightmare - 1990, Surfer - Volume 31, Issues 7-12:
3. The crew member in charge of managing the foresail.
   • Then he heard the wailing cry of the forehander as the crowd manned the braces. - 1940, Roland Barker, Jonah's Ark, page 59:
   • I had not been below ten minutes when I heard Mr. Hughes shouting orders; then there came the cries of the forehander, and the creaking of brace blocks, as the yards were trimmed once more. - 1959, Tusitala, page 56: