How many years does it take to be able to get air on a surfboard? How many people can actually accomplish this

Question

How many years does it take to be able to get air on a surfboard? How many people can actually accomplish this

Answer 1

It's not a matter of years.. it's more time in the water and individual ability.  I bet there are kids who can bust airs after only 2-3 years of surfing.  I know guys who've been surfing for 35 years and they never have, and never will do airs.  

If  you surf spots that are 'good' for airs - you'll see the number quite high.  Newport is a fun little beach break that is air heaven near the upper streets.  The skill level also goes up around this area too.

Answer 2

It's all up to you. Practice it, fail miserably, and then repeat till you stick them.

The trick apparently is to hit "the ramp" section right before the breaking lip, but I'm still working on it myself.

Answer 3

i first did it in 1963 and have been doing ever since. lot of years getting air. but it is over. last year i had a four-way bypass and my drinking problem coupled with my t2 diabetes has be too messed up to continue. wanna buy a half dozen surfboards and an old rotten woody? yeh, and i have all the 8-trak jan and dean tunes to go with that. hang 10 dude. guess the only surfing i will be doing is on the web.

Answer 4

It isn't years, its ability.  Almost any accomplished surfer can get air, the problem is having the right type of wave to try on and also being willing to miss a lot of riding while you practice how to do it.  What you need to do isn't really that hard.  What's hard is getting more air then just a little bit, plus making it back under control.  Basically, pick a point on the lip just before it breaks, kick your board through the point and just as most of your board gets above the lip pull your feet (and hence your board) straight back as you twist.  The more power in your kick up the lip, the higher you will go.

Most pros plus a large majority of regular shortboard contest surfers can get some air.  You might want to watch Sterling Spencer sometime.  He grew up on Pensacola Gulf surf that jumps up quickly, and has managed to master how to get air on any wave now, even smaller waves.