In surfing, going through the washing machine is how surfers describe the
feeling of being held under water and spun around and
around by the breaking wave. Going through the washing
machine has certain disadvantages, namely: it is
hard to breathe underwater; your legrope can get
wrapped around your legs making it hard to swim;
you can be bashed against the bottom of the ocean,
which is not too bad if it's sand, but can be painful
if it's coral or rocks.