Surfing Waves

Dudes, I'm new here. I need some advice I'm goofy. At the moment the waves are really glassy and predictable where I'm surfing so I do my bottom turn then pump along the face to get speed, I'm all speeding up and the wave is a great one peeling left and then near the end of the ride the right side peels too, so I guess it's perfect for airs just at that point where the two peeling sides meet. I can also have loads of speed at that point, my problem is I suck at getting airs. I can do roller coasters, off the lips, floaters but not pull off an air where I go above the wave and land down. I either fall off the wave, or the board nearly hits my face or I go over the back of the wave like a kook and the board doesn't follow. I've been watching the WCT at Lowers and those guys make it look so easy that I'm pshyched up and think next time I'll pull an air like that but it never happens. It's been about 6 months I've been trying when a good wave comes but nothing good. How do I do it? My board is a 5.6 squash tail and I'm 5.6 too and 55 kg, I used to skate and could pull great ollies and airs so I know what it feels like just not on water.
Please help.

Probs more speed needed - usually the missing ingredient, you always need much more speed than you think.

yeah... try and get more speed. pump like hell and then once you hit a section try to boost off the top and kind of pop up your legs. hha that sounded weird. its similar to doing an ollie on a skateboard. once you pump and get enough speed, try to like bend your knees and just pop your legs up as if you were just jumping on the ground.

more speed and hit the lip as mentionad above

speed is essential but not as much as these guys are carrying on about...its all about being able to launch off the wave...like u need the speed but u dont need to be pumping for a long time....try picture ur take off and get high on the wave for quick speed pumps then just bend ur needs and boost towards the beach.

Can anyone explain to me why the wave sections coming together makes getting air possible? I am interested in the physics of it (I majored in math in college...nerdsurfer).

having the right board helps, look at a punt flyer from darren hanley designs its wicked. its fast and loose and the concaves provide a sick boost. and you cant be to heavy.

Its a combination between many answers given in here.
Apart from speed, which is the obvious answer, body weight, board etc

here are some personal pointers.

* Lumpy onshore type conditions are PERFECT for airs, ideally 3 - 4 foot ... just so many little sections to launch off
* Always look for a section that peaks a tad higher than the rest of the lip
* On approach to selected section, try and imagine that the wave is bigger than it really is, and in your mind, imagine you are doing a normal re-entry off the lip, with a slower motion than your normally would
* A wider stance is KEY, just look at all the airs Bruce Irons and those guys do, they ALWAYS widen their stance on approach, and you should be doing the same.
* While in the air, widen your stance even more for a more successful landing rate. You will also be saving your board from a possible snap.
*Dont hit the lip too vertical, you need a helluva lot of speed and experience to pull on like that off.
* PRACTISE !! Set out some sessions where its all you do (make sure not many other ppl around as you will piss off everyone for "wasting" good waves"), or you and your buddies have a Air competition, where you dont have to land it, but you try see who can get the highest in the air with their board in the close vacinity of your feet


Good luck

Sorry, just one question.
You mentioned that you are goofy. Are you surfing to your backhandside or forehand (surfing a left or right break)

Its obviously immensly more hard pulling a backside air. If you are however surfing your backside, rather try bunny hop-360 airs ..... it looks flashy and is actually quite easy