How to Do an Air on a Bodyboard

Hit the lip with a lot of speed as it is pitching out. Lift up as you leave the wave and turn 180 degrees to land back on the wave.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Swimsuits
• Bodyboards
• Fins
• Wet Suits

1. Turn low on the wave so that you ride up the wave at a steep angle. It is important that you have a lot of speed and that the wave is very steep, almost pitching out.
2. Compress your body low to the board and get ready to pull up as you hit the lip of the wave.
3. Begin turning back toward the direction you were headed right before you hit the lip. This way you won't have to turn a complete 180 in the air.
4. Push up off your board as you hit the lip. The wave should be pitching out right as you make contact with it.
5. Pull up on your board to carry it up off the wave with your body. Try to get out and away from the wave. If you had enough speed, you should be up in the air over the wave now.
6. Lean hard into your turn, leading with your head and shoulders while swinging your feet around behind you.
7. Land at the same angle as the wave to avoid a heavy impact.

Tips & Warnings

• Synchronizing your timing with the wave is the key to a good "air." This takes a lot of wave sense that can only be learned by spending a lot time riding waves. Don't be overeager to start learning airs right away.
• Bodyboarding is an inherently dangerous activity that can result in serious injury or death. We recommend that you seek proper training and equipment before attempting this activity.