HOW TO: BACKSIDE AIR

A closing section in surf foiling invariably offers two options: either capitalize on your speed with a clean exit to connect another wave, or going for broke with an explosive move on the lip! Two very different approaches that make a good case 😉

 

In this How To we suggest the explosive approach though with an aerial backside. And who knows, the most skillful might even have the cake and eat it too if they manage to connect a wave after a clean landing !

 

 

To attempt this move there are a few requirements. Having a make or break mindset is one of them ;). Mastering strapped surf foiling is another. With your feet well set in the footstraps, the key to this move is speed, as it often is. No need to attempt an aerial on a huge wave. Note that in foiling huge waves are everything above waist high for the most riders, a little more for the pros…

With speed and your back to the wave, sink the foil to prepare your impulse because it’s the pop that will make you take off. Indeed, this is not classic surfing where the section takes you off like a launch pad. You must trigger a pop by lightly sinking the foil before going up again by shifting your weight on the rear leg. If the speed is good enough with the right timing for the pop, you’ve at least sparked interest in the other occupants of the line-up who are now all looking at you ;). In order not to disappoint them, you must now regroup on top of your board to maximize your flight and prepare for your landing by turning your gaze towards the area in question. Whether or not the landing is made in the disturbance of the whitewater, stalling or imbalance is waiting for you. Stay well on top of your board and regroup to optimize balance. Either you bounce with a frank recovery of the foil, or a recovery of speed thanks to the wave which pushes you and a small tail kick of the rear leg will be necessary to relaunch you towards a possible connection … who knows 😉