Organisers of Tauranga’s favorite music festival, In Bloom, have announced the launch of In Bloom TV. A union of their love of music and surfing, In Bloom TV is an all-new online surfing competition.
“As planning commenced for the fifth year of In Bloom the crew behind the music event were discussing what’s most important to them,” recalls Mat Hansen from his current digs not far from Cloud 9 in the Philippines. “Most important to all of us was surfing,” he laughs.
“Pez had just got back from the fabled points of Morocco,” he explains. “Hawkey has been battling crowds in Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs, Kurt reckons he scored the best-ever session at Wainui, Jules is still claiming his Scholastics win from 2012, and Hanso is puffing on Sammy P’s ciggies to show off that he’s still scoring in Indo.”
One of the key points on the agenda of that meeting was marketing. How do you creatively and effectively promote a festival in its fifth year? A few ideas flew around the Google Meet, but one stood out: a surfing competition.
Perry Farrell (not the Jane’s Addiction front man) came up with the idea. “What about an online surfing competition, just like Stab’s Edit of The Year, but for Kiwi surfers?”
“Something shifts on the screen, and suddenly, smiles light up as excited voices come from all corners of the globe,” smiles Mat. “This could be an epic way to support surfing in New Zealand while also marketing our favorite festy of the year.”
Hello, In Bloom TV.
“The goal is simple: support New Zealand surfing in a unique and fun way,” explains Mat. “We’re inviting surfers to submit clips of their best surfing to our website, inbloomfestival.co.nz. Clips should be between two and five minutes in length.”
A premiere night, where all clips will be shown on the big screen, will be held at Astrolabe Brew Bar in Mount Maunganui on November 22nd (the night before the actual In Bloom Festival). The winner will take home a prize of $1,000.00, with the announcement made on stage at In Bloom the following day.
The judging panel will be led by New Zealand surfing icon Matt Hewitt. “He’s an absolute core lord who has achieved things in surfing that most of us can only dream of,” adds Mat.
The criteria for judging is straightforward: power turns, big barrels, huge punts, and bonus points for combos. Matt will also give favorable points for unique cinematography, the use of different boards, and creativity in the surfing clips.
The premiere night will feature live DJ performances by Hutch and Skip James, additional New Zealand surf movie premieres, cold beers on tap, spot prizes galore, and much more.
“Come along to the premiere night to watch New Zealand surfers battle it out on the big screen, and even better, join us at In Bloom the following day for one hell of a boogie,” offers Mat. “We’ve already checked the forecast – the waves will be pumping, and the beers will be cold. Come for the surf on Friday, stay for the party on Saturday.”
In Bloom TV At A Glance:
• Clips must be between two and five minutes in length and submitted to inbloomfestival.co.nz before November 20, 2024.
• The competition is open to all ages, genders, and surfing styles.
• The real-world premiere will be held at Astrolabe Brew Bar, Mount Maunganui, on November 22nd, the night before In Bloom. Entry will be by Koha (donation) to support Bay Boardriders.
• Judging will be split equally between a live-voting system and our expert panel to determine the winner.
• Judging criteria will focus on critical turns, airs, and barrels. Unique cinematography and board selection will be rewarded. Head judge: Matt Hewitt.
• DJs Hutch & Skip James will provide tunes for the premiere night, alongside other surf movie premieres yet to be announced.
• All surfers and filmmakers who enter a clip will receive a free ticket to In Bloom (18+ only).
About In Bloom Festival:
In Bloom music festival is an extravagant collection of colour, boogie, and good times. Now in its fifth year, the festival is renowned for being a f&%king good time. This year’s lineup is packed with house music royalty: we’ve got Loods from Aus, In Bloom favorites Flamingo Pier and Frank Booker, Lord Echo is coming out to play, with support from Butter Milk, Lucy & Hutch. The Department of Art’s are on board who turn any ordinary space into a visual dance. Think short lines for the bar and toilets, cold beers, great music, and friends on the dance floor.
In Bloom People:
Pez … Perry Farrell, Tauranga
Hawkey … Jack Hawke, Christchurch
Jules Craft, Gisborne
Kurt Barker, Gisborne
James Bristow, Gisborne
Will Meehan, Clyde
Mat Hansen, Tauranga
