on the wave, once again using flexed abdominal and thigh muscles pull your heels off the wave into the air. This should send your boat even higher into the air than before. You are using the energy you creat- ed on your first bounce to get airborne. Usually your second and third bounces are higher than your first; it all depends on the wave.
Step 5: The Landing At this point you have reached the bottom of the wave and have gotten likely two bounces, now it’s time to carve back to the top and begin the whole sequence again. If the wave is too slow, you may land your second bounce flushing off the back of the wave. In this case end your bounces with a forward stroke to stay on the wave’s face.
T
his concludes your first lesson in flight school. After a few practice
flights you will develop the muscle memory and timing, blending these steps into one fluid motion.Welcome to the wide world of aerial moves.
Tips:
Maintain aggressive and offensive slightly forward posture. Try to imagine a piece of string tying the front of your PFD to the bow of your boat.
Don’t rock your upper body back and forth to get bounces. Think of your heels as bouncing instruments. The harder you slam, the higher you bounce.
Remember to lock your stomach and leg muscles together when bouncing; grav- ity is your biggest enemy. The more muscles you use in conjunction, the stronger your attempt at getting air- borne.
Think of your paddle as a ski rope from a motorboat pulling you forward. Keep it at chest level while bouncing and when you’re not using the forward strokes to gain speed. This will help you stay bal- anced and add momentum to your bounces.
More speed equals bigger bounce. The faster you come planing down the wave, the more air you will catch when initiat- ing a bounce sequence.
Bounce on the face of the wave, halfway between the peak and the trough. A big challenge is timing; if you hesitate you will find yourself in the trough a day late and a dollar short.
—Jeff Strano is a team Wave Sport paddler who works full-time managing Wild Rock’s Boatwerks and aspires to compete at the world level.
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