The American Beard Report, Issue #15
The 2020 National Beard and Moustache Championships is upon us!
In this first-time format, the 2020 Nationals were held online using an interactive, video submission-based format. Competitors listened to an audio guide while recording their submissions, and our team of World Class, Award Winning Editors (Randy Forsman) has been tirelessly trimming, tweaking, and otherwise compiling the hours of video into a concise, viewable format. We will be releasing the premiere of this event on twitch where we can all watch it together for the first time. In the days following the premiere, the event will be viewable on multiple platforms.
Follow Us on Twitch!
It’s where we’ll be streaming the event, and it’s FREE!
Click the link and then click FOLLOW!
You’ll be able to comment on the live comment board,
save and share clips, and so much more!
Club Spotlight
Every month we highlight one of the fabulous Facial Hair Clubs in this Great Land.
Compiled by Natali Johnston
Goddard, KS
Bearded Monkey Quick Facts:
Established 2014
18 Members
Inspired to form a club in remembrance of Omar’s Grandparents and the charity work that they did and to bring awareness to Autism since my son is Autistic
Holds a annual competition. Most recent one was Till Death Do Us Part on October 24th.
Donates to a variety of club-chosen charities.
Proudest moment as a club was when they were recognized by The Center for Combating Human Traffic from Wichita State University (WSU)
The friendly members of the Bearded Monkey Social Club
Meet the Beardspeople of America
Every issue we give you a sneak peek of otherwise normal, fun-loving Americans who are deeply involved in the bearding subculture.
Compiled by Natali Johnston
Omar Shiffrin
Goddard, KS
Club Affiliation:
President and Founder of The Bearded Monkey Social Club, member of The British Beard Club, The California Beard and Mustache Enthusiasts, The Wicked Wicked Facial Hair Club, Beard Mobb Midwest and the first out of state member of The Salty Saints Social Club & Facial Hair Society
How long have you been bearding?
6 1/2 years
Have you won any awards?
My highest awards were 3rd at the 2016 GABMC in Denver and 3rd at 2019 Nationals in Chicago
Why do you do it and/or Best thing about It?
I do it for fun and charity and in remembrance of my Grandparents and for Autism awareness. The best thing about it is making a bigger family. Sometimes we have to make a sacrifice to do one or the other.
Sami Ambrose
Altoona, PA
Club Affiliaton: The Villainettes / Bearded Villains Supporter
How long have you been bearding?
I have been bearding for almost 2 years now, My first competition was in January of 2019.
Have you won any awards?
My list of awards are:
2nd place BAM 2019
2nd place Nashvegas 2019
1st place BV World Meet 2019
1st place ECM 2019
1st place Nova beard club 2019
2nd place Jingle beards 2019
Why do you do it and/or Best thing about it?
Making beards and competing is so much fun! You get to spend time with the family that you've made and its all for a great cause. The best part is at the end when you hear how much money you've raised and knowing that your making a difference in someone or many people's lives! Besides bearding I'm a stay at home mom... My hobbies include arts/crafts, painting, designing patches, gardening and collecting.
Eric Choat
Omaha, NE
Club Affiliation:
Omaha Facial Hair Society
How long have you been bearding?
My first competition was in 2014 at a bar that had a mustache competition at the end of Movember. I enjoyed having the handlebar mustache and decided to keep it, a few months later is when I found my club and learned that there were beard and mustache competitions all over the country and world.
Have you won any awards?
I have won many awards across various mustache and beard categories. While it was not my highest placement one of my favorites was placing third at the 2016 Great American Beard and Mustache Championship in Denver, CO. My other favorite was when I went to my first big competition up in Minneapolis. I went up by myself and had no idea what to expect. This is where I learned how amazing the bearding community is. I made a ton of friends, placed in my category and won the crowd favorite award. It was a great way to be introduced to competitive bearding, and knew that I was in the right place.
Why do you do it and/or Best thing about it?
Hands down it is the people I meet during bearding. Being able to travel and be around amazing people keeps it fun and interesting. The bearding community aligns with my core values of helping other people.
When you’re not bearding, what other activities are you doing?
When I am not bearding I am very thankful to have a job that I love that allows me to help other people. When I am not working I enjoy traveling and enjoying live music. I do my best to incorporate bearding and music with my travels. I am not sure when my next in person competition will be, but I am looking forward to seeing all the familiar faces again.
Ally Echevarria
Long Beach, CA
Club Affiliation:
Secretary for North American Competitive Beard and Moustache Alliance, and a member of too many clubs to list
How long have you been involved with bearding?
I’ve been involved with the bearding community since 2013
What is your favorite thing to do involving competitions?
My favorite thing to do involving comps is when I’m able to help out at the events, in any capacity really. I’ve helped do check ins, judged, ran things back stage, helped keep score, anything I can do to help make the event happen.
Why do you do it and/or Best thing about it?
Well, I do it for the charity satisfaction of course and for the friendships that I’ve made out of it. I’ve always been a traveler so going to comps all over seemed like a natural fit for me. Then, of course, I become friends with people from all over and it just becomes that much more exciting to travel and hang out with them.
Besides bearding, what else consumes your time?
Most of my free time is spent consuming craft beers and traveling to New England for family and friends. Unless it’s hockey season, in which case I’m all about the LA Kings!! If I’m not traveling for a comp, and traveling, it’s almost always to Maine. They have the best Hazy IPA’s.
What’s a fun fact about you?
Fun Fact: I can’t whistle
Patrick Dawson
Seattle, WA
Club Affiliation: Emerald City Beardos
How long have you been bearding?
I haven’t shaved my chin in almost 20 years & have been competing for 11 years (2009 Worlds in anchorage Alaska was my 1st comp ever)
Have you won any awards?
I’m currently ranked#1 in the country and #2 in the world for goatee. The last 3 world championships (2015 Leogang Austria, 2017 Austin Texas, & 2019 Antwerp Belgium) I have brought home second in the world. 2018 1st place at the Great American Beard & Mustache Championship and the 2019 National Beard ad Moustache Championships Goatee over 12” champion
Why do you do it and/or Best thing about it?
I love the travel part and meeting all the people from around the world. Raising money for the different charities is a great feeling to be able to help others
Besides bearding, what other kinds of fun stuff are you into?
I love the outdoors. Hiking, riding Motorcross, kayaking, going to concerts, standup comedy & spending time with friends and family are just a few of the things I love to do.
I’d like to also give a shout out to my sponsors:
Mad Fermentist Craft Beer Las Vegas
LiveRightCBD
Mariner Jack UK
Hooverville Bar Seattle
After Midnight Photography
Lawrence Brothers Racing
I just want to say I love the beard community and the great things & money we raise to help others in need!!! Hope to see many of your faces( mustaches & beards) in the near future!!
Keep it growing!!
The 2020 National Beard and Moustache Championships
Presented by Honest Amish
with Associate Sponsorship from Skully's Ctz Beard Oil, Mad Viking Beard Company and Pulpo Beard Oils.
Finalists for the 2020 National Beard and Moustache Championships
Thanks again for opening another issue of the American Beard Report.
We are currently seeking submissions, including: articles, poetry, short stories, and/or product reviews.
If you have an idea of a feature you’d like to see, or if you would like to submit local highlights, or an in-depth review of your competition or local facial hair related event, or almost anything else,
please send it to hello@beardteamusa.org
