Summer Training

Aerialists practice their jumping manoeuvres during the summer months by skiing off specially constructed water-ramps and performing their jumps into a large swimming pool.

The water-ramp consists of a wooden ski ramp covered with a special plastic mat that when lubricated allows an athlete to ski down it, towards the jump. The skier then skis off the wooden jump and lands safely into a large swimming pool. A burst of air is sent up from the bottom of the pool just before landing to break up the surface area of the water, thus softening the landing of the impact. Skiers reinforce the skis that they use for water-ramping with 1/4 inch of fibreglass.

Summer training also includes practising on the trampoline, diving boards and other acrobatic or gymnastic training apparatus.