Air
Launching off the lip with the board into the air and landing back on the wake with the nose still facing forward.
Recreation
Air is a term from limnology — the scientific study of inland waters. The detailed explanation below covers the definition, why the concept matters to lake water-quality interpretation, and how it relates to the A–F grade. Reading Air alongside the A–F grade makes the grade easier to follow — each graded parameter maps onto an established limnological concept.
The per-lake pages on LakeQuality always show the specific Air value for that lake, so you can move from the general concept to the specific lake without leaving the site.
What It Means for Your Lake
An air is any maneuver in which the rider and board leave the water by launching off the wave's lip and then land back on the wake. In its basic form the nose continues to face forward through the flight; adding rotation or grabs turns it into more advanced variants like the air 360 or grabbed airs. Larger fins (surf style) can actually help generate bigger airs by holding the board through the launch. Airs are among the more advanced wakesurf skills, requiring speed from pumping, precise timing off the lip, and a stable landing back in the pocket.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is air?
Launching off the lip with the board into the air and landing back on the wake with the nose still facing forward.
Why does air matter for lake health?
An air is any maneuver in which the rider and board leave the water by launching off the wave's lip and then land back on the wake. In its basic form the nose continues to face forward through the flight; adding rotation or grabs turns it into more advanced variants like the air 360 or grabbed airs....
Related Terms
Jumping the board off the water to get air without using the wake's lip as a ramp.
The top edge or crest of the wave, the powerful upper section where riders throw slashes, off-the-lip turns, and launch airs.
An air in which the rider grabs a rail of the board with one hand while airborne.
A full 360-degree rotation of board and rider, most commonly performed flat on the water's surface in skim style.
Any aerial maneuver where the rider leaves the water, with or without the board; a synonym for an air.
Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.