Haha don't worry, I also learn a lot of Karate, Weightlifting, Wreslting with you...
The only time that I see a competition of aerials was, if I am not wrong, during a CT tour event. It was organized by Red Bull.
It is what you said. Jumping to the air with a surfboard and trying to do maneuvers.
There are some surfers like the Brazilians, Jordy Smith, Jack Freestone and John John Florence that are specialist on this kind of tricks. Imo, aerials will be the future of surfing, if you are not capable to do it, you will not be a top surfer.