# Winning Whiskers David Traver Wins 2009 World Beard Championship (UPDATE) By Andrew Robichaud | Published 2009-05-26 | Fashion Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/david-traver-2009-world-beard-championship References: [buzzfeed](http://www.buzzfeed.com/akdobbins/2009-world-beard-champion/) & [adn](http://www.adn.com/life/story/807240.html) The 2009 World Beard Championship came and went with a bang. As the dust settled, Anchorage, Alaska native David Traver arose victorious as the World Beard Champion. Traver’s 20+ inch beard (took 2 years to grow) beat out over [300 overall competitors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/global-barista-champion) from across the world to take the title. Traver also won in the coolest beard category as he sported a different shaded snow-shoe woven smorgasbord of facial hair. David Traver plans to [shave his beard](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/razor-island) for “whoever writes the biggest cheque to the Covenant House.” ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.2/10 - Popularity: 81% | Activity: 98% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 90% men, 10% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion) > [Fashion for Men](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashionformen) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Beard Culture:** Exploring the growing popularity and trends surrounding beards, including unique styles and competitions like the World Beard Championship. - **Charitable Initiatives:** The increasing trend of tying personal achievements, like winning a competition, to charitable causes and using them as opportunities to raise funds. - **Personal Branding:** The role of facial hair in personal branding and self-expression, with individuals using their beards as a distinctive feature and a way to stand out in a crowded market. ### Where This Applies - **Grooming and Personal Care:** The grooming and personal care industry can capitalize on the growing popularity of beards by offering specialized products for beard maintenance and styling. - **Nonprofit and Fundraising:** Nonprofit organizations and fundraising platforms can leverage the trend of individuals connecting their personal achievements to charitable causes, creating innovative fundraising campaigns. - **Fashion and Accessories:** Fashion brands and accessory designers can tap into the personal branding aspect of beards by creating unique and stylish products targeted towards individuals with beards. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Beard-Specific Hair Trimmers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-beard-hedger.md) - [Playful Hockey Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/beard-in-a-box.md) - [Stubble-Sculpting Hair Trimmers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/manscaped-the-chairman-pro.md) - [Unique Real Facial Hair Billboards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dollar-shave-club1.md) - [Adventure-Focused Hair Clippers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hair-clipper.md) - [Beard-Focused Premium Grooming Brands](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/premium-grooming-brand.md) - [Softening Facial Hair Cosmetics](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/beard-conditioner.md) - [Large-Scale Barista Competitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/global-barista-champion.md) - [Award-Winning Single Malt Whiskies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bear-fight-whiskey.md)