Red Deer’s Tyler ‘Cat Friday’ Gardner becomes Canadian air guitar champion

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(Image Credit: Henry VanderSpek/CultureSnap)

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“I knew I would probably never be the world’s best at anything, but air guitar… maybe. Canada didn’t have an official championship until 2014 when Air Guitar Canada was born in Toronto.”

That year, Gardner placed third, and he’s been battling ever since.

His wife then flew him to Finland to compete in the world competition in 2019 — but through the dark horse category, which is like a second-chance group anyone can get into.

“I didn’t make it through, but I learned a lot. That’s where I think I leveled up, seeing legends at the highest level, hanging out with world champions in a place that took this event very seriously, meeting competitors from all over the world who travelled thousands of kilometres for the same crazy reason I did,” he remarked.

“When I came home, I was going to put everything I learned into practice.”

(Image Credit: Henry VanderSpek/CultureSnap)

But then the world shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he lamented.

The world and the competition circuit got back to normal several years later, and 2026 was his first trip to nationals since 2019.

“I went out to be part of the team again and stretch my arms out, shred some faces, and apparently impressed the judges,” Gardner said.

“I think everyone needs some goal that maybe others find ridiculous, that’s difficult and personal to them to keep us moving forward; some high mountain peak to aim for, where you finally get to the top and find out there’s another mountain, and are thrilled about it.”

The Air Guitar World Championships have been happening in Oulu, Finland since 1996.

If you want to catch Cat Friday performing locally, he’ll be at the CanAm wrestling event at the Elks Club in Red Deer on July 17.

You can also follow his journey on social @CatFridayAirGuitar.