Aussie Ryan wins Kustom Airstrike

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Australian Ryan Callinan Wins R5,000 Cash At The Kustom Airstrike In Durban!

Durban, South Africa - Ryan Callinan from Australia took the win at the Kustom Airstrike with a perfect Forehand Single Grab Air 360 maneuver at Umhlanga Beach today. The Australian visitor, fresh off a second place at the Billabong Pro Junior, thrilled the spectators and judges alike with his no-holds-barred surfing, and at the end of the contest had the top scoring move under his belt as well as the R5,000 cash.

There were some excellent aerial moves performed throughout the day, with Durban surfer Dan Redman starting the ball rolling with his Frontside Mute Grab Air that saw him in the lead for the entire first round. Then it was the turn of Thomas Woods, who launched into a clean Backhand Roll maneuver that put him in the lead. "It was a perfect Backhand Roll move," said contest judge Ryan Payne. "A Roll is very similar technically to a Flip, and just as radical. His move was clean, fast and perfect."

The final was between Callinan and Woods, joined by Beyrick De Vries, Dan Redman and Casey Grant, with Callinan wowing the crowd with his fast and futuristic surfing. Everyone in the final was going for broke, but it was the young Australian who launched into a massive Forehand Single Grab Air 360 move to snatch victory from Woods. The goofy-foot surfer flew through the air and successfully landed the powerful move to claim victory in the hotly-contested final.

"Thanks to Kustom South Africa for the opportunity to participate," said a very stoked Callinan at the event prizegiving.

It was an exciting day of surfing, and a different contest format that was a break from the usual competition structure. "We're stoked with the tournament,'" said Kustom's Clifford Laas. "It was all about winner-takes-all for the one big move, and that's exactly what Ryan did. We saw some radical surfing today, and surfers were pushing their aerial performances, which is what the event was all about."

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Red Bull supplied the contestants with energy.

The Kustom Airstrike was sanctioned by Surfing South Africa. Surfing South Africa is recognized by the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Body (SASCOC) and Sport and Recreation South Africa as the national governing body for surfing.