Description
Video Transcript
Do Air Tricks at the cable park leave you mesmerized? Do you find yourself lying awake at night thinking, “How do they do that”? Would you like us to teach you how? If you answered “Yes” to any of those questions, then look no further because this video is for you.
Let’s get started by taking a closer look at the physics behind the pop. For Load and Release Air tricks, once you have loaded the line properly, there are two opposing forces that you can use to generate pop: Line tension and water pressure. In Part One of this instructional, I’ll walk you through “The Release” portion of Load and Release Air tricks from the perspective of the line tension.
In this clip, I’ll use a comparison that I’ve created to demonstrate the physics behind the release. Let’s pick this scene apart: the 2x4 represents the rider in a stiff, tall body position; the bungee represents the line tension in the rope; and my arms pulling back on the 2x4 represents the rider’s lean.
When this functions properly and the rider leans and edges up to an 8 or 9 on our edging scale, the line tension can catapult the rider up into the air. This trajectory is created by the arc that the rider pivots on during this load and release edge. If you look at the two directions that the rider travels on this arc, you will notice that there is an “up” motion that arcs into a “forward” motion. If you release quickly enough, the “up” momentum will be strong enough to launch the rider up into the air.
Keep in mind that this will only function if you, like our 2x4, remain in a stiff, tall body position. Let’s take another look at this analogy, only this time, let’s see what happens when I add a hinge in the middle of the 2x4. This hinge represents the rider’s waist. If we hinge or bend at the waist, then the physics of our human catapult no longer functions the way we’d like it to. So remember, if you want to get catapulted, keep your hips up and remain stiff and tall until your board has left the water.
Now, let’s take a look at what happens if you release at different speeds. If you allow your upper body to come forward slowly, you will be returned to a standing position with your weight tossed over your toes. With this speed of release, you will feel more of the “forward” than you will the “up”. If you allow your upper body to come forward at a medium speed, you will bring a little bit more momentum into the “up” portion of the arc, which will result in you being popped a few feet off off the water into a “Loaded Air”. To maximize this catapulting upward pop, release quickly by allowing your upper body to be launched forward rapidly. In it’s most basic form, this load and release pop will result in an Air Heelside Air Raley if the forward motion remains undirected. This progression from slow, to medium, to quick release is a great way to use these different “Release” speeds to your advantage while learning.
That about wraps it up for Part One. The next video in the series will be taught from a whole new perspective. Keep an eye out for Part Two!
