GOLD COAST, 16 September 2010: When it all boils down, the objective is pure and simple – the Kustom Airstrike is about discovering something new; producing surfing so inspired and revolutionary that it breaks all the rules, forever changing the face of surfing as we know it.
This year’s Airstrike event has literally driven surfing to its creative extremes, and divided the judges down the middle. "It was no unanimous decision this year, that’s for sure." said Harry Truscott, Kustom’s General Manager, and one this year’s judges.
"The two big contenders when it came down to it were Kustom’s Chris ‘CHIPPA’ Wilson and Hawaiian Flynn Novak, both riding away from amazing, and very different examples of how to take surfing forward."
Chippa did a legit backside big spin, legit! No revert slither, no shuv it with an awkward switch landing. On one straight up single trick done effortlessly and with style. If anything done on a surfboard could be referenced directly to skateboarding then that is the one.
On the flip side you’ve got Hawaii’s Flynn Novak, who until this year’s event had toiled with landing what he has chipped away at for 8 eight years – the full Backflip, or the Flynnstone Flip as it has been dubbed. No half steppin’ there.
"The Flynnstone flip defies where many thought surfing could go," said Kustom’s USA Brand Director, Pat Fraley.
"Things have happened that are arguably similar, but Flynn goes straight upside down, full rotation, just like he’s strapped in on a snowboard, crazy!"
So with all that said, it’s Kustom’s pleasure to announce that Flynn Novak is the winner of the 2010 Kustom Airstrike! In addition to being crowned this year’s champion, Flynn also walks away with the USD $50,000 bounty, the richest prize in surfing for a single move. Last year’s winner, Dusty Payne, was enlisted to let Flynn know the great news. Flynn’s scream for joy was deafening.
Flynn’s winning flip, and all the other incredible entries, can be viewed on the event website, www.kustomairstrike.com
