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Whistler’s own Cole “Johnny Utah” Manson has again won the Canadian Air Guitar finals, with last weekend’s triumph marking his third consecutive title.
But Manson surprised the crowd in Winnipeg on Saturday (July 24) with his announcement that he’s retiring from the pro air guitar world.
“I do this for you guys. As much fun as I’ve had representing Canada over the past four years, it’s time to let (one of these other air guitarists) go to Finland,” Manson said, according to a press release issued by Air Guitar Canada.
Manson will again represent Canada at the Air Guitar World Championship in Oulu, Finland on Aug. 27. It will be his third and final attempt to capture the international title.
He took third place in the world championships in 2008 and placed 15th last year.
According to Air Guitar Canada, it was a close race on Saturday in Winnipeg with only 0.2 points separating Manson from the second-place finalist.
Over his four years or so competing on the international air guitar circuit, moves such as back flips and spraying mouthfuls of water into the audience have given Manson a reputation for possessing ample quantities of “airness.” Airness is a term used in air guitar circles that describes a special move or X-factor a competitor possesses.
Manson first got interested in the activity by watching the film Air Guitar Nation at the Whistler Film Festival. Shortly after seeing the movie he won his first qualifying competition at the GLC.
The Air Guitar World Championships is celebrating its 15th year, with more than 13 countries now participating. Visit airguitarworldchampionships.com to track Manson’s progress in the competition on Aug. 27.
