Zoltan Torkos Lands Kickflip On A Surfboard [Updated]

Back in 2007, Volcom created the Volcom Stone’s $10,000 Kickflip-Off Contest. Even though there were a handful of rules and regulations, it was pretty simple: be the first surfer to successfully land a kickfilp on a wave and get it on video and you’d win $10,000. Cut to 4 years later, to last week and we’ve got ourselves a winner. See the update below.

Santa Cruz surfer Zoltan Torkos pretty much nailed it at Steamer’s Lane this past Friday. After watching the video a couple times and seeing him pull off the move it really makes you think about the progression of surfing and if maneuvers like this will become more common.

It’s been almost 3 full days since the video was posted and Volcom has yet to make any announcement regarding the Zoltan’s k-flip video. Hopefully they come through and award Z the cash he deserves.

UPDATE 1: It turns out Zoltan is not the winner of 10,000 bucks. Stab Magazine got in touch with Jack Morrissey, Volcom’s surf team manager, and he explained why.

“Basically, since the the kickflip was a mid-face one, were he didn’t come off the lip he’s no eligible for the grand prize of ten thousand dollars. Even though it was the first kickflip pulled in surfing, it wasn’t off the lip like a proper air, you know? We’ve had a lot of guys send in over the years and we feel it wouldn’t be fair to them because they’ve been trying to do it off the lip. We obviously want to help him out, hype him up for what he’s done. It’s just the fact of the rules.”

“Rule #3. The kickflip must be a real air “above the lip” – No backwash, No chop hops, or anything in the flats or below the lip of the wave.”

What a bummer. Stab then went on to contact Zoltan and see how he was doing after receive the news from Volcom. You can read the whole article over at stabmag.com.

UPDATE 2: I emailed Zoltan and asked him a few of my own questions. Read his answers here.

UPDATE 3: From Volcom.com:

Zoltan Torkos‘ recent kickflip has created strong controversy over whether or not it was legitimately above the lip according to rule #3 of the competition. However there is no denying that this is the first functional kickflip caught on video and a milestone in futuristic surfing.

After further review Volcom has decided to reward Zoltan the $10K for his groundbreaking maneuver, and at the same time redefine the rules and double the prize money on the elusive “above and off the lip kickflip” now worth $20,000.

“We really want to celebrate Zoltan’s successful kickflip, and continue to push the concept of futuristic surfing. Zoltan was the first and we feel shouldn’t be the last,” said Volcom’s Director of Surfing, Mike Guarino.

“This is a dream come true, better than any lottery win,” said Zoltan Torkos. “This has been the most amazing four months of my life and I can’t thank you enough! If you were here you’d be on my shoulders and I’d be running through the neighborhood!”

A video explaining the new $20,000 Kickflip-off competition with redefined rules will be released this week. Volcom is stoked that Zoltan’s kickflip has been etched in the history books and are looking forward to seeing new attempts and rewarding $20,000 for the first surfer who nails it above and off the lip.

Glad to see Volcom came through and gave the cash to Zoltan while still keeping the contest alive. Good on ya Volcom!

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