No Fear Energy Airshow

Well, it's a new season, a new crew and a new format. How sweet it is! The No Fear Energy Airshow got off to a roaring start on a gloomy day in mid-October. The clouds were around all day but nothing could put a damper on the performances. Although the waves were small, the chest-high, wedgy waves were enough for the contestants to get their groove on. Some people say that a true test of someone's surfing talent is to see how they surf when the waves aren't perfect, and if that's the case all the finalists of the No Fear Energy Airshow are all certified rippers.
After Saturdays cancellation due to rain, the weekend was looking a little bleak, however all was made right in the water as Tour vets like Josh Sleigh, Jeremiah Depesa, and David Diaz were absolutely blowing minds. From big boosts to insane technical tricks and grabs, these guys had a full repertoire!
The No Fear Energy Airshow has gone through some changes in the off season, deciding to be more surfer oriented, having less surfers and more time to surf for the competitors. Also, breaking the surfing into multiple rounds with points being tallied against the whole field, instead of the others in your individual heat. The judging criteria have been altered as well as focused on the technical side that aerial surfing is taking. The result... ear to ear grins from competitors yearning to surf an event where they don't just surf once and go home if they lose. The multiple surf format makes sure each competitor has 40 minutes to stake his claim to advancement and ultimately victory. It's rare to see people who lose heats smiling, but it was happening! And that's when everyone gets to see the real ripping!
The final was nothing short of spectacular! Everyone who braved the cold wind and inconsistent rain to watch were treated to a progressive surfing show! Check out the lineup, Josh Buran, Josh Sleigh, Gavin Sutherland, and Michel Flores. Does it get any better? Maybe not! Buranimal (Josh Buran) lived up to his nickname and was relentless, improving throughout the day and really just warming up until he got to the final where he unleashed. Two airs of note were his giant straight air and his frickin' huge frontside reverse, which earned him the nod, a No Fear Energy Drink shower and $1,200 in cash! Michel Flores the lightweight from Brazil was not backing down getting his tail out a good 2-3 feet above the lip and throwing some solid grabs in as well. In third was the odds-on favorite to win the event going into the final, Josh Sleigh. After, boosting a four-foot air on a three-foot wave that made his fellow heat participants claim, it seemed like a given. But you can't control Mother Nature and Josh had to sit for a while waiting for a wave he could do his thing on. On a small wave he took off, looked down the line, got speed and busted a Superman varial, where the board is ollied into the hands and rotated backward and landed fins first in the whitewater. He pulled it with such ease it was hard to see how difficult it was to perform. Unfortunately, it was too little too late. What can be said about Gavin? Steady but always looking for the next level. The crowd was treated to one of his patented upside down helicopter backside reverses, which got a solid score. He barely missed getting back to the whitewater on his second scoring air and had to take half the points that may have catapulted him to the lead.
Today was a day to push each other and have fun in the water. The people who succeeded did both, and proved that contests aren't about stressing, but about performing. Everyone around the event was stoked and it was a great day. Look to koastalkaos.com for details on the next event, November 11 and 12 at Crystal pier in PB.