Check Out These Air Guitar-Playing Weirdos

If you're the type of person who will never be able to play an actual instrument using your own two hands, then perhaps air guitar, a peculiar craft for the musically inept, is more up your alley. And even though there isn't any kind of technical skillset required to get into the air guitar circuit, there's still some glory to be earned. Enter the The World Air Guitar Championships, the planet's preeminent contest for weirdos who enjoy showing off their imaginary musical talent.

The contest is in its 19th year, and features a predictable cavalcade of oddball contestants, including a 71-year-old rockabilly with Elvis leanings named Bob Wagner, a shameless, fur-coat wearing, Canadian cowboy hat-rockin’ contestant named Thrustin’ Beaver, and a former gymnast named “The Dominator” who used backflips to mask his inability to fake shred. We sent a photographer to document the proceedings and he came back with images that are bizarre, hilarious, and more than a little baffling. We hope you enjoy them.

The finals air on August 29th at noon. You can livestream it here.