What does "getting barrels" mean? Does it mean to re-encounter by chance, perhaps?

Native speaker’s answer
Rebecca
Not quite! "Getting barrels" is actually a surfing term. A "barrel" is the hollow part of a wave once it curls and breaks, and it's common to surf in them! So, "getting barrels" refers to surfing these barrels. Ex: Have you ever ridden a barrel before? Ex: It took me a few years before I could surf a barrel.