Photo: Instagram
Wave pools are undeniably one of surfing’s greatest modern tools for radical progression. Surfing in the ocean comes with endless variables that ensure no two waves are ever the same — a fact that makes riding waves one of the most fascinating things a person can pursue. But those endless variables aren’t a good recipe for efficiency when it comes to developing new skills.
Anyway, with the obvious out of the way, it’s cool every once in a while to see how the whole “practice makes perfect” approach plays out in a wave pool. Unlimited waves with the same conditions every time, the same section(s) in the same place(s) with the same speed and size. Italo Ferreira, already one of the best aerial surfers in the world in the ocean or elsewhere, visited Beyond the Club recently and was determined to stomp out a backflip.
“How many tries does it take to get this move right?” he asked.
Assuming the video he posted shows us every attempt, Italo needed six tries before he finally nailed it. And then he went out and nailed it again. That’s a pretty solid batting average.
View this post on Instagram
