After enjoying an incredible 15th year, BL BLAST OFF returns for 2021 bigger than ever. As in 2020, the event goes properly global with the challenge taking place in its new video format. With the pandemic continuing to impose restrictions on physical events in Australia and around the world, BL BLAST OFF has found a way to continue, encouraging grommets and their families alike to submit their best videos for the challenge online.
Debuting last year as a way of welcoming kids and families around the world to the BL BLAST OFF fold, the Global Video Challenge saw over 500 videos submitted from 20 countries and some incredible young surfers rise to the top and impress. This year, BL BLAST OFF runs from October 15th through December 3rd
Partnering with GoPro for 2021, BL BLAST OFF introduces some new categories to the Global Video Challenge which put a special emphasis on video treatments and presentation. For the budding and aspiring filmmakers, this one’s for you!
“I believe GoPro to be the perfect partner for the BLAST OFF community. They have revolutionised action sports photography and Blast Off represents the future of surfing talent and together we can create and capture historical moments.”Barton Lynch
“GoPro is excited to be presenting partner for the BL Blast off, a new age content driven competition aimed at developing and stoking the younger generations of surfers. GoPro was born in the surf, and we continue to change the way that our community capture, create and share their experiences making memories that last forever.” Carlos McCarthy. GoProANZ Business Manager
BL BLAST OFF was first established in 2006 by 1988 World Surfing Champion Barton Lynch as a coaching program and surfing championship that has grown into an internationally recognised event. Expanding from its beginnings on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, BL BLAST OFF has continued to grow over the years, with plans for events in Bali and the Maldives in production.
As it has developed and evolved, BL BLAST OFF has become known for its focus on sharing knowledge and coaching the young surfers involved, as much as it is about competition. In 2021, the event hones this element more than ever before.”At Blast Off our motto has always been ‘Coaching Kids not judging them’ and we have created a diverse community from the very best kids in the world to the first timers all stoked and encouraging each other to improve through the two month window.” Barton Lynch
Every video submitted for BL BLAST OFF this year will receive coaching feedback and advice from a selected range of professional coaches, imparting their invaluable experience and advice to young groms around the world. It’s an opportunity for boys and girls, 14 years and under, to learn from some of surfing’s most trusted and experienced names.
“Blast Off is for everyone and the format means that regardless of your current standard of surfing, you will improve in the event window and the more you absorb yourself in the community, the more you will BLAST OFF your surfing!”
Barton Lynch
Winners will be announced in the following categories:
- Events Youngest Participant
- Public Vote Winners for boys and girls
- Best Wave
- Best Tube
- Best Air
- Worst Wipeout
- Divisional winners
- Girls & Boys 8s
- Girls & Boys 10s
- Girls & Boys 12s
- Girls & Boys 14s
- Experts Choice
- Experts Choice Girls
- Experts Choice Boys
- Most Potential
- BL’s MVP
- And new for 2021 are the “GoPro Quik app edit”
- And the overall Blast Off “Best Edit”
Weekly winners will be announced for the High Performance Action category, with daily awards announced for kids who bring the stoke.
Grommets are encouraged to film and upload as many videos as they want via www.bartonlynch.com throughout the duration of the 2021 BL BLAST OFF window. They can capture a single wave or manoeuvre, or an edited cut and all can be uploaded daily on the official BL BLAST OFF channel at Epicentre.tv.
2020 saw some true talent emerge and since then, they have gone on to great things and wow the world in the water. Two such examples are Erin Brooks and Kai Hall who have continued to amaze the surfing world with their commitment to charging and progression. In essence, this is what BL BLAST OFF is all about – nurturing community and continuing to spotlight the incredible young talent taming waves all around the world. We want to see what you’ve got grommets; start filming today!
To enter the GoPro BL Blast Off Video Challenge, visit www.bartonlynch.com and follow the links. You must be 14 or under as of the 31st December 2021 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.
