https://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/sports/2008-01-22/drafthouse-hosts-air-sex-competition/

Drafthouse Hosts Air Sex Competition

By Kristine Tofte, January 22, 2008, 2:41pm, The Score

Fondling, fingering, licking, humping, slapping, spanking, poking, playing, and masturbating? Bumping and grinding? Yes … please. Saturday, Jan. 26, the Alamo Drafthouse at the Ritz is hosting round three of the Austin Air Sex Championships, a sexual variation on the ever-popular Air Guitar Championships, which will be held at the Ritz on Tuesday, Jan. 29.

Air sex originally started in Japan, organized by Sugisaku Jtaro, who was tried of being single and without sex. So he and his other single friends would get drunk, then practice their moves on invisible ladies. And, as more people became interested (viewers and participants), the air sex competition was born. After hearing about this Japanese competition with a different “air,” Tim League, founder and owner of the Alamo Drafthouse, decided, “We really have to mine that for a show.”

This Saturday, contestants won't pretend to play an instrument that isn't there; they'll pretend to make love to a partner that isn't there. Contestants have two minutes to perform their air sex routine, which must include a soundtrack chosen by the contestants. They can take it slow and play all the stages: meeting, seduction, foreplay, and intercourse. Or, they can just dive right in, literally, sometimes.

“Really the only rule we have is that all the climaxes have to be simulated, because this is a brand-new stage,” said League, referring to their new Downtown location. “If you actually climax, you will be automatically disqualified,” reiterates Henri Mazza, Drafthouse creative director.

Other than the simulated-only climax requirement, the rules are few; anything goes. Props are allowed: masks, strap-ons, stethoscopes. Talking is allowed: Yes, mouths can be used for more than just oral pleasure. And, teams are allowed; tag-teaming is acceptable – the more, the merrier.

The judges from Sinsations “are looking for a combination of factors in air sex competitors: costume, rehearsal; if it's well thought-out, well done. We're looking for sexiness; you can't have an air sex competition without the sex.”

Winners will receive prizes from Sinsations, and the champion of the Air Sex World Finals, which will be held on Saturday, Sept. 27, at the Ritz, will win a free trip to Las Vegas, and probably get in on some actual sex with a real person.

Some words of wisdom from Jtaro: “Air sex should only be a substitute sometimes – when you can't get real sex.”