Yesterday when wrapping up the World Title Scenario post, I acknowledged all of the contests currently ongoing. I accidentally forgot to mention Stab High, which started last night. In my pondering of this, I realized that I don’t mind my own oversight. Unintentionally intentional, after review.
It might be my ‘purist’ way of thinking, but I have yet to come around to the Wave Pool fad. I’ve still yet to surf one, and I can’t imagine when I might. I’d be lying to you if I said I hadn’t thought about it, but I still haven’t pulled the trigger. I live in Southern California where there are free waves literally everywhere, nearly everyday. I can’t bring myself to pay for waves.
Anyways. In honor of Stab High going down last night, and I believe it will be finished today, I wanted to remind you all what a real Air Show looks like. Or at least what it used to look like. You might not remember, but I sure do – the Kustom Airstrike videos.
Dubbed as a “single trick surfing contest”, Kustom Footwear would hand out $50K to the loftiest punt sent in via video. Originally started in 2009, Dusty Payne won the first edition with a giant tweaked out, quick spun air reverse. Flynn Novak won in 2010 with his “Flynnstone Flip”, which is not far off from a lot of what is happening now in the Chinese Wave Pool.
Finally, we reach my favorite, and unfortunately the last edition of the Kustom Airstrike in 2012 when Kai Neville filmed 5 surfers through 4 episodes in the Ments looking for the biggest punt. Featuring Chippa Wilson, Albee Layer, Matt Meola, John John, and Ryan Callinan, this was top tier content of its time. A Grade roster, best filmer in the game, incredible waves and pushing the limits of progressive surfing – in the ocean, I’ll gladly add – this is some stuff I’ll never forget. Spoiler alert, if you didn’t already know (14 years later), 19 year old John John won with a massive stalefish reverse.
It is must watch content and homework for any of you groms who might not have seen it. Here is the link to the last episode released. You’ll have to do a bit of digging to find the first 3. I think they may have been re-edited with new music, those are not hard to find on Youtube, but you may be able to find the original versions out there somewhere.
I hope you think of this and remember it as you tune into that controlled, chlorinated, coordinated Stab High tonight. That’s all.
Cheers,
hwilsin
Drew Stanfield