Sky surfing is a thrilling extreme sport where a skydiver wears a specialized board attached to their feet to perform dynamic maneuvers while in freefall.
At its core, sky surfing involves a skydiver wearing a custom skysurf board attached to the feet and performing surfing-style aerobatics during freefall. Think of it as combining the exhilaration of skydiving with the techniques used in board sports like surfing or snowboarding.
The Mechanics
The fundamental principle relies on the skydiver using the board and their body to control movement and rotation during freefall.
Here's a breakdown of how it generally works:
- Preparation: The skydiver equips a custom skysurf board. According to the reference, these boards are smaller than actual surfboards and resemble snowboards or large skateboards. They are securely attached to the skydiver's feet.
- The Jump: The skydiver exits an aircraft at altitude, just like in traditional skydiving.
- Freefall and Maneuvers: During the freefall portion of the jump, the skydiver uses the attached board in conjunction with body movements (arching, twisting, extending limbs) to perform various surfing-style aerobatics. The board acts as a large surface area that interacts with the air, allowing for spins, flips, and other dynamic moves not possible in standard freefall.
- Parachute Deployment: At a predetermined altitude, the skydiver detaches the board (typically released to fall away safely or secured) and deploys their parachute for a controlled landing, similar to a regular skydive.
Key Components
Understanding the essential elements helps clarify how sky surfing is distinct:
- Skysurf Board: This is the defining piece of equipment. As noted, it's a specialized board designed for use in freefall, typically smaller than water surfboards and more akin to snowboards or skateboards in appearance.
- Attachment System: A secure harness or binding system is crucial to attach the board firmly to the skydiver's feet, allowing them to control its movement and thus their own in the air.
- Aerobatics: The primary goal is to perform complex, artistic, and dynamic maneuvers during the freefall phase, utilizing the board for control and effect.
Sky Surfing vs. Traditional Skydiving
While a type of skydiving, sky surfing adds an extra dimension:
| Feature | Traditional Skydiving | Sky Surfing |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | Parachute rig, altimeter, helmet | Parachute rig, altimeter, helmet, Skysurf board |
| Focus | Freefall stability, formation, track | Freefall aerobatics using a board, artistic maneuvers |
| Body Control | Uses body shape & position | Uses body shape & position plus board manipulation |
In essence, sky surfing takes the freefall environment and transforms it into a stage for board-based performance, utilizing a custom skysurf board attached to the feet to execute complex surfing-style aerobatics during freefall.
