Aerials: Taking Flight on a Wave

Sliding out, or “blowing the fins,“ usually means you’re landing tail-first or with your board sideways. You need to land with your weight centered and the board pointed down the line, ideally with the fins re-engaging in the wave’s face. Try to spot your landing early and guide the board underneath you. It’s a delicate balance between committing forward and not over-rotating. A little wax and faith go a long way!

Dryland training is key! Skateboarding transition (ramps and bowls) is the absolute best cross-trainer—it teaches you the feeling of launch and landing. Indo boards and balance trainers help with stability. You can even practice the popping motion on a gym floor or trampoline, mimicking the compression and extension. Visualize the whole sequence, from the bottom turn to the stomp. Muscle memory built on land translates directly to the lineup.

An aerial, or “air,“ is when a surfer launches completely off the top of the wave, becoming airborne before reconnecting with the face. It’s the pinnacle of modern high-performance surfing, blending skate and snowboard influence. You’re essentially using the wave’s lip as a ramp to get skyward. Pulling one off cleanly requires serious speed, precise timing, and a ton of commitment. It’s all about defying gravity for a split second and sticking the landing with style.

Speed is everything! You need to pump down the line like your life depends on it. Generate momentum by compressing and extending your legs, driving your board up and down the wave face in an “S” pattern. Set up on a steep, pitching section—usually a hollow beach break wave works best. The key is hitting the lip with maximum velocity. Without that raw pace, you’ll just bonk off the top instead of soaring above it.