Pro surfer Nathan Florence discusses the highly frustrating, nine-month journey it took to master aerials. He shares the mental commitment required and the specific technical and equipment adjustments that his brother, John John Florence, had to break down to help him transition from zero airs to landing the best airs of his life.
Key Takeaways & Tips
Commitment and Discipline
It took nine months of continuous, frustrating practice, including two to three-hour sessions daily, to land airs. The lesson is that you must set your mind to a goal and be very disciplined to achieve it.
Head and Eye Line
A key adjustment was to look up over your shoulder, not down at the board, when going off the section. When the chin is low, it makes it hard to pop up and stand.
Stance Adjustment
You must widen your stance when trying to perform the air. A narrow stance was identified as a major issue that hindered the maneuver.
Equipment Optimization
Technical adjustments included switching from heavy boards to lighter boards and using a wider tail block. This reduces weight and helps the board rotate and stay airborne.
Speed is Essential
You need a ton of speed to do airs. The process involves generating speed down the line and going off the section with maximum momentum.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Over-Simplification
The instinctual advice from pro surfers (“pump down the line and go off the section”) is unhelpful; the maneuver requires specific, learned actions regarding the feet, arms, and head.
Looking Down
Looking down at the board as you go off the section is a critical mistake that limits projection and control.
Fighting Instinct
A lot of time is wasted trying to figure out what your feet and arms are doing, which is hard because the skills are not instinctual. It requires studying, repetition, and external coaching to break through.