Now in its 15th year, BL BLAST OFF is returning in 2020 with a new format for kids and families around the world to get involved in. With the cancellation of the physical Sydney & Bali events, BL Blast Off is stoked to announce the Boost Mobile BL Blast Off Video Challenge.
Established in 2006 by 1988 World Surfing Champion Barton Lynch, the BL Blast Off coaching program and surfing championship is a unique event that has grown over the years, more recently enjoying an international expansion including events in Bali and plans for the Maldives well underway.
With this international initiative, the 2020 BL BLAST OFF is encouraging young surfers from all over the globe to submit video footage of themselves showing their stoke in the water. Video submissions open on September 14th and run through until October 31st, with winners of the challenge being announced on November 7th.
“Taking the event online allows us to reach more kids and build the BL Blast Off community globally. I am so excited to see what we receive. I am expecting to see some futuristic surfing from the next generation of champions and then heartfelt efforts from the micro groms. I always liked the quote ‘the best surfer is the one having the most fun’ and that’s what BL Blast Off is about, because the better you get, the more fun you have.”
Barton Lynch
Grommets can upload and submit as many videos as they want via www.bartonlynch.com throughout the 6 week event window for a $3 per video upload fee. Videos must have been shot in 2020, can be of a single wave, single manoeuvre or edited clip up to one minute in length. Videos will be uploaded daily to the BL Blast Off channel at Epicentre.tv, so be sure to follow along to see who is leading the charge in the People’s Choice category in real time!
“Our motto at BL Blast Off has always been that we ‘Coach kids not judge them’, and the focus has always been around improving and getting better not winning and losing. In that same way the video challenge is for everyone, not just the rippers but any kid who is stoked on surfing, we wanna see that stoke and then help the kids to improve.”
Barton Lynch
Winners will be announced weekly for Most Entertaining Clip and Kids Who Bring the STOKE!
Overall winners will be announced in the following categories:
- The Expert’s Choice
- People’s Choice
- Best Wave
- Best Wipe Out
- Best Tube
- Best Air
- Most Potential
The Video Challenge will be officiated by Barton Lynch himself, alongside a panel of the world’s most exciting young surfers including Jack Robinson, Kyuss King, Vahine Fierro, Mahina Maeda and Eli Hanneman.
“Video has been a big part of my surfing development whether it is watching it for coaching purposes or to share what I’m doing with the world. I would’ve loved a video challenge to submit myself into when I was a grom and can’t wait to see what comes in and from where.”
Jack Robinson
To enter the Boost Mobile BL Blast Off Video Challenge, visit www.bartonlynch.com and follow the links. You must be 14 or under as of the 31st October 2020 to be eligible. More information about the history of BL Blast Off and this year’s challenge can be found at the event’s official website.
KEY DATES:
Monday September 14th – Submissions Open
Saturday October 31st – Submissions Close
Thursday November 5th – Voting Closes
Saturday November 7th – Winners Announced
