One wave, one aerial by anyone, anywhere, for $50,000. The event window for the Kustom Air Strike, the surfing world’s richest contest for a single move, officially opened Monday. The challenge has been thrown to surfers around the world to
One wave, one aerial by anyone, anywhere, for $50,000.
The event window for the Kustom Air Strike, the surfing world’s richest contest for a single move, officially opened Monday.
The challenge has been thrown to surfers around the world to land the biggest punt and capture it all on film, states a press release from Kustom Air Strike.
A $50,000 purse awaits the winner of the contest which runs through March 31, 2009, and according to Kustom Air Strike, if the winning move is filmed, there is a $5,000 reward.
“We started to promote the contest during the recent Billabong Pro WCT event at Jeffreys Bay in South Africa and we had an incredible response,” said Harry Truscott, general manager of surf footwear brand Kustom. “The Web site absolutely lit up, with people registering from everywhere, eager to receive updates on who is blazing.”
Re-writing the rules is what the Kustom Air Strike event is about, the release states. Based on the responses Kustom Air Strike has received, when this event closes in March ‘09, surfing will have been changed forever.
The criteria is simple, with judges voting on height, innovation and completion of the aerial. Tow surfing is permitted, although riders are not allowed to use straps.
“Because the Air Strike is open to anyone surfing anywhere in the world, it is becoming a bit of a battle of the amateurs versus the professional surfers,” Truscott said. “There are so many kids frothing on the chance to knock off one of the big name pros. It is going to be amazing!”
The Kustom Air Strike Web site has been switched live Monday, and will showcase select entries as they pour in. The winner will be the most radical and innovative ‘completed’ maneuver, with all entries posted on the Web site and judged by both the public and an expert panel.
For more information, or to view some of the early entries, visit the Kustom Web site at www.kustomairstrike.com
