Kustom Space Kadets

Kustom Space Kadets preparing for take off

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 11 May, 2007 : - - Gold Coast -- Surf footwear company Kustom has started the launch countdown for its second mission to find the most radical and innovative aerial manoeuvre. Kustom Space Kadets is a three-month quest to log the most freakish punt by any Australian or New Zealander, with both the winning surfer and eagle-eyed photographer/videographer rewarded for their work.

The winning surfer will receive a $10,000 cash prize from Kustom and tickets to Hawaii courtesy of Hawaiian Airlines, while the sharp shooter who captures the move will receive $3000 cash, air tickets to Hawaii and a Panasonic video camera. The competition, won last year by Dion Agius for a freakish backside loop that was filmed by Adam Bennetts on a beachbreak in Bali, will run from 1 June to 30 September.

Kustom marketing manager Brad Bricknell said the Kustom Space Kadets competition was open to all surfers. “This is a competition that gives anyone who can punt an air the opportunity to compete against the leading aerial surfers,” said Bricknell. “The winning Kustom Space Kadet could be the guy who lands one air in his life but just happens to be caught on film or in a still image sequence.

“Surfing is now so much about what happens above the wave and this competition rewards that progression.” Entrants can be jetski assisted or strapped in to their board, but the degree of difficulty will be considered in the final judging. The surfer must also land the manoeuvre to be eligible for the top prize.

The competition is being run in association with Australian Surfing Life (ASL) and MTV Australia. ASL editor Tim Fisher said the Space Kadets format generating a buzz among surfers. "Surfing is one of the most unique sports on the planet and the global surf community needs unique ways to showcase surfing at its best, which is why the buzz around Space Kadets is so huge,” said Fisher.

“Straight up, this is the most original concept for a surf comp in years, and the entries we've seen even in the event's first year show the benefits of letting surfers express their talent without having to work within restrictive contest formats. “Space Kadets rewards the surfers who are pushing the sport into the future faster than anyone else, and we couldn't be more stoked to be a part of it."

At the end of the competition Kustom will produce a DVD showcasing all of the entries. “This presents an opportunity for all aspiring cameramen to get their work, as well as their local ripper, in front of an audience,” said Bricknell. “The DVD will also feature Kustom team surfers Josh Kerr, Wade Goodall and Joel Parkinson, so here is everyone’s chance to appear alongside them on the DVD.”

Updates on the competition will be published in ASL magazine and online at kustomfootwear.com/home.htm. Keep an eye out for the official launch video clip in coming months.

Previous reports:
# 1 : Coming soon
# 2 : Coming soon
# 3 : Coming soon
# 4 : Coming soon  

www.kustomfootwear.com/home.htm
www.myspace.com/kustomspacekadets

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Brad Bricknell

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