Nick Would Video Contest

An avid surfer, skier, mountain biker, dirt biker, waterman, and storyteller, Nick Simon displayed the utmost courage, creativity, and camaraderie in his athletic endeavors. He’d be the guinea pig on any newly constructed jump, the first one paddling out when the surf was well overhead, and the guy hollering at the gang to follow suit. 

Nick’s skill was not merely the result of his exceptional natural ability. He fought through a torn ACL and an injured back, showing that these injuries were simply slight speed bumps. If he didn’t land a trick first try, he’d hike back up and try again. Once he landed it, he’d take a turn behind the camera, hyping up the boys to get a clip of their own. 

In honor of the life of Nick Simon, who passed away in a car accident while on a surf trip to New Zealand on October 27, 2022, the Nick Would Foundation is hosting a video contest with a cash award to the top three winners. While the contestant should be a skilled athlete, the judges are also looking for people who take hits, display grit, keep charging after a tumble and are rarely seen without a grin on their face. And above all, they’re looking for people who embody Nick’s outlook on life and the Nick Would Foundation’s goal of helping people get outside, preserve the environment, and pursue artistic development by removing barriers and making these activities accessible to all.

Guidelines:

The judges are looking for a video between 3-5 minutes. Applicants need to be 25 years old and under. Entrants can be involved in ANY sort of extreme sports, be it surfing, skiing, kayaking, or any other extreme sport. A storyline should be developed within that time span in whatever manner the filmmaker deems appropriate. These videos can be uploaded to a common video streaming service (YouTube, Vimeo, etc…) and the link can be emailed to nickwould11@gmail.com by September 30th, 2024. 

Judging criteria: 

“Sendyness”: 25%

"Grit" : 25%

Character: 35% (includes humor, camaraderie, commitment to community/academics, etc.)

Storytelling: 15% (Is there a plot/how does it tie into the spirit of Nick? Are you working towards a goal that this money would be allocated to?)

Judging board will be composed of the Nick Would Foundation board, and Nick’s closest athletic friends. They are looking for the contestant who most embodies Nick, in both spirit and in how they plan to use the winnings. 

Awards:

The awards for the inaugural contest will be $1,500 for 1st place, $1,000 for 2nd place, and $500 for 3rd place. 

Show us your triumphs and your path to it. Your dedication. Your diligence. Show us your good humor. Your ability to tell a story. Show us how you embody Nick. 
Please go to www.nickwould.com to find out more about Nick and who he was as a person and an athlete. We are looking forward to your submissions.