Boosting Airs
1 comment| by Lee Stanbury
Many surfers will just dream of boosting an aerial surfing manoeuvre and landing it with ease. Modern day surfing seems to be advancing so much that it is now the norm to boost airs, with seemingly impossible surfing movements.
The fact is though that this type of surfing may be for the selected few that have an inner ability to read their body's movements and the wave so accurately however, with additional balance training and the use of trampoline and some strength training it is possible to improve you airs.
An important factor to take into consideration is age if you have left a young age and are now approaching middle age then your development in this area is going to be greatly affected!
By training on a trampoline you can improve your body's awareness to movement, this in turn will allow you to know where you are on your board in relation to the wave, of course not everybody has access to a trampoline but using one will improve body awareness.
In addition to body awareness while boosting airs it is also important to remember that what goes up must come down, the landing phase of any aerial surfing movement could well be the hardest part!
The surfers ability to control their landing force after boosting an air will be dependent upon two factors, which are the general control of the body's momentum at landing and the ability of the surfer to dissipate the forces directed into the body to achieve an impact upon the body.
Jumping and landing exercises can help in this area; they will boost body awareness and movement, improve balance and coordination and build strength in the legs.
Trampolining exercises
If you're lucky enough to get access to a trampoline then they can make a massive difference to your skill improvement, even basic exercises will help improve your air landing skills.
Side to Side Jumps
Start the jump with feet slightly apart, over one side of the trampoline, then from one side to the other jump, landing with soft knees to also help stabilitymaintain a good posture, and keep the core tight.
Forwards And Backwards
Again this is a simple exercise but will allow you to build a good base for more advanced exercises on the trampoline, and again with soft knees, and tight core will allow for good stability.
180 degree jumps
Start the exercise with a jump, gain plenty of height, as you do simply twist in the air 180 degrees landing with both feet pointing in the opposite direction, rest and repeat.
About the Author
Article by Lee Stanbury, Surfing-Waves.com resident surf fitness guru, author of the Complete Guide to Surf Fitness. Lee has worked with top surf athletes Ben Skinner and Oli Adams, and developed fitness coaching with the U18 British surf team.
Where do I get a trampoline that is square shaped and lower to the ground to practice airiel surfing movements? And what is the flat board with foot straps to practice jumping and turning with?