Aerial Moves no.2 Aerial Blunts W
hile the regular blunt has been around for a few years, shorter boat designs are enabling paddlers to push the bound-
aries with huge aerial versions. A regular blunt is an elevated end done on the corner of a wave or hole.You speed down the face of the wave on edge.On the wave’s face between the trough and the peak there is an edge transfer while simul- taneously planting an aggressive backstroke beginning at your hip and pushing through to your
toes.The aim is to push the stern of your kayak into the air above your head. When the blunt is complete, you have land- ed a 180 degree rotation and are backsurf- ing on the wave. An aerial blunt is simply a regular blunt
where, throughout some part of the move, the boat clears the water entirely. In order to get this clearance you must incorporate a hop or a bounce. The higher you bounce the easier it will be to get your boat around.
Step 1:
Set up at the peak of the wave pointing upstream. Accelerate straight down the wave by positioning your body slightly forward and planting a big forward stroke. As you are accel- erating down the face of the wave, maintain a slight edge on your kayak. For example to aer- ial blunt right, a big left forward stroke will be accompanied with slightly digging in your left edge.
Step 2:
As you accelerate down the wave you have to start working the bounce. Keep your weight forward, paddle in front for balance, and imag- ine digging your heels into the face of the wave. Immediately the bow of the kayak will respond by lifting towards your chest. Counter this motion by using your abs to force the bow of your kayak back down, again forcing your heels into the face of the wave. At this point your boat is ready for takeoff, aggressively pull your knees to your chest and you’ll become airborne.
Step 3:
Once airborne you need to simultaneously switch your edges and plant a blunt stroke. The bigger the edge transfer the more vertical the blunt will be. The blunt stroke is a powerful backstroke that begins at the hips and pushes towards the toes. In our example we are trans-
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by Brendan Mark photos by Scott MacGregor
ferring to a hard right edge and using a right blunt stroke. Your head should be positioned so that it is looking at where you plant your blunt stroke.
Step 4:
As the stern of your kayak comes over your head you’re about to land with your bow facing downstream in a back surfing position looking downstream. For a smooth landing, ensure that your weight remains glued forward and that your boat is flat—without edge.
Step 5:
Now in a back surf, be prepared to follow-up with a few backstrokes to remain on the wave backsurfing or you could plant a left forward sweep to continue the blunt momentum and
finish with a full 360 degree rotation to a front surf.
Tips A fast wave is the key. As a rule of thumb the higher your bounce the more time you
have and the easier it is to get vertical.
Go for your blunt on the first bounce. It is easier to time and the sooner you start the blunt the more time you will have in the air to prepare for landing.
If you are continuously getting blown off the wave, ensure that it is a wave you can do a regular blunt on. If so, then you’re likely leaning back in some part of the move instead of being glued forward.
—Brendan Mark is a team Dagger pro athlete and Liquid
Skils.com instructor.
Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5
Paddler: Brendan Mark. Feature: Kahuna at Coliseum, Ottawa River.
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