Q: We have been asked to do another Alabama skate question, so here goes.......

The majority of skateboard manufacturers in the U.S. are located in California. It has always been that way, and probably will remain that way. It was not uncommon for manufacturers to change locations within California. What was uncommon, was for a manufacturer to move from California to Alabama. In the late 70's, what famous skateboard company moved their offices from California to Alabama? For the first correct answer, the winner will receive a May '83 issue of Thrasher. (Del Mar spring nationals, Jake Meggers and the Columbus, Ms. crew) and a Skate Trivia shirt. Remember, if you know the answer, tell a kid aand help share some skate history

A: PAT- Before we get started, I want to give a shout out to Spc. Benjamin W. Willmarth, of the 142nd Signal Brigade, stationed in Afghanistan. We sent Ben a SKATE TRIVIA package, with an '83 issue of Thrasher, so he could check out what was happening at Del Mar, the year before he was born. We don't know Ben, but we are proud to honor his Dad's request.
TOM- Thanks for your service Ben. When your C.O. tells you to take that SkateAlabama sticker off your helment, you tell him he will need to talk with me first. He can e-mail me. Ha!Ha! Hope you get home safe and soon.
PAT- I wonder if any skate mags offer our skating combat servicemen, a free sub?
TOM- They should.
PAT- The answer to Skate Trivia question #22 is Makaha.
TOM- In early '78, Makaha opened it's Blue Mountain, near Anniston, Alabama office.
PAT- Which might better explain Wentzle Ruml's (Skate Trivia #4) time spent in Alabama in '78.
TOM- We don't think the production was moved from California. We think someone in Alabama, bought the marketing rights.
PAT- We attempted to bring you the whole story behind this move, but Makaha never responded.
TOM- If anyone can help us out on this one, the skate guru can. We would like to welcome Mr. Skip Engblom.
PAT- Thanks for joining us Skip. We are having difficulties finding out why Makaha moved their offices from California, to Alabama in late '77, or early '78. Could you shed some light on this for us?
SKIP- Just before I started SMA in '78, I had a job with them. My second time thru as I had worked for them as a kid branding the Phil Edwards models after school. I believe that Larry and his partner at the time, decided to license the company to someone there because it was in a bad state at the time, and Larry was really starting to get sick.
TOM- Thanks Skip, you are the skate pop for all of us.
PAT- I bet that's the first time he hasn't been asked a Zephyr or Dogtown question.
TOM- You know we are going to catch grief for having Skip on, and only asking him one question.
PAT- At least we knew who to ask to get the answer. You know he brought Paul Constanneau to Makaha.
TOM- The answer is over, old man. Our winner is Warren Ward, of Gadsden,Al. Thanks for playing, Warren. Your mag is in the mail.

Q:In the spring of '78, filmmakers Chris Carmichael and Pat Darrin had a great idea for shooting some skate footage. They rented Upland's Pipeline skatepark for a day, and hired a group of skaters for the shoot. This group included some of the top verticalists at the time. The film of this session was so hot, that J.C. Penney wanted to buy it for a commercial. Who was the only Dogtown skater hired for this film shoot?
We will accept only one answer at a time. For the first correct answer, the winner will receive something. Sorry, we have not looked yet. Remember, if you know the answer, tell a kid, and help share some skate history.

A:TOM- Wasn't Chris Carmichael the guy who did the "Spinn'in Wheels" movie?
PAT- Yeah. It was released in the mid `70's.
TOM- So who all skated for hire that day at Upland?
PAT- Strople, Inouye, Blackhart, Tay Hunt, Kirk Talbot, Doug Schneider, Waldo, Curt Kimball, Salba, Scott Dunlap, Skoldberg, Weed, Steve Shipp, Hitchcock, and of course answer, Paul Hoffman.
TOM- So did this footage make it to a released film?
PAT- I don't know.
TOM- That's a lazy research department, folks. Maybe our next guest can help us on this.
PAT- I'm sure he can. We would like to welcome Mr. Paul Hoffman.
TOM- Thanks for joining us, Paul. Tell us about this "Super Bowl Expression Session" ( as Carmichael called it), and did it make it to a released film?
PAUL- It was a fun day of skating with a lot of my friends. I was on the Hobie team at the time with Skoldberg, Weed, Steve Shipp, and Skip Hitchcock. I remember the day as being dominated by the very talented vertical riders: Rick Blackhart, Kirk Talbot, Wally Inouye, Chris Strople, and Doug Schneider. The Upland skate park (before they put in the pools) was famous for the big full pipe and it was not a ride for wimps. Doug Schneider was probably the best full pipe rider...ever. The guy was consistently over vertical in the pipe and a lot of us just stood back in awe. I never saw any footage from this session, but if it does still exist...it would blow peoples minds. I also did demos for J.C.Penny's all over the United States for over a year.
PAT- You were a Zephyr skater and on the original Pepsi Team, tell us about your later team affiliations.
PAUL- First, a little history. I am part of the "Lost Z-Boys". The team members less known are: Cris Dawson, Jose Galan, Tom Wahlberg, and I. Tom and Cris were on the Hobie Vita Packt Team in the 1960's. In fact, Skip Engblom and Jeff Ho (co-owners of Zephyr) actually liked freestyle and for a time...some of us on the Zephyr team members were doing flat land freestyle in the 1960's manner. Before I was on Zephyr I was impressed by old films of the 1960's skaters with Cris Dawson, Torger Johnson, The Hilton Brothers, and Bruce Logan. From these films (like "Skater Dater"), I decided that I wanted to do a nose wheelie before wanting to ride a pool or do a"Bertlemen". When I started hanging out at the Zephyr shop in Santa Monica, I met Stacy Peralta and Cris Dawson. It was Cris Dawson who taught Stacy and me to do the skateboard tricks from the 1960's. By this time, all the other famous riders on Zephyr had left for other sponsors, so for a time it was only Cris, Jose Galan, and me on the Zephyr team. To this day, the only person who NEVER left the Zephyr circle is Cris Dawson, who has skated for only two teams his entire life...Hobie avd Zephyr.

As for Pepsi, I skated for Pepsi for over 4 years where I performed hundreds of times all over the state of California (and other states and countries). Mostly, I performed with Steve Rocco who would go on to start World Industries (the biggest skateboard ever). However, I also did a lot of demos with Stacy Peralta, Gordy Linneman, Alan Scott , and Greg Ayres just to name a few. The Pepsi Team supported a lot of poor skaters with a consistent paycheck until it all dried up by 1985 when the only skaters Pepsi would hire were the Carrasco brothers. I guess Pepsi got tired of hiring fuck ups and pot addicts, so when they found the Carrasco brothers...everyone else was out (what a shame).

Besides Zephyr, Pepsi, and G&S; I skated for Hobie, Vision, and Sims skateboard teams. Also, I was the very first rider for Santa Monica Airlines (Skip Engblom's company) in the 1980's.
TOM- You were known for your one footed nose 360's. At the `77 FreeFormer at Long Beach, you placed 2nd behind Russ Howell in 360's. Were you spinning regular or on the nose?
PAUL- It was incredible and I never regretted losing to Russ. Just to be inthe same contest as Russ was a pinnacle of my career. I was competing against someone who was at the infamous "Del Mar" contest so I was just in awe of the whole situation. I was really into skateboard contests at first. Then, after a while I did not care if I placed or not...I just wanted to skate and be with my friends. Also, I was lucky to be in both freestyle and vertical contests so I had good buddies on both "sides of the fence". In any case, at the contest in question, I believe that I spun somewhere between 20 and 30 nose 360's and Russ was in the 30 to 50 range on the tail.
PAT- Many skaters don't know that you were the only Dogtowner in the first pro pool contest, the Hester at Spring Valley, on March 18 & 19th,`78. Out of 35 entries, you placed 11th in the open pool event, tied with Tay Hunt for 4th in one wheelers, and placed 6th with Kurt Cortum in the doubles event. Tell us about this first pro pool contest.
PAUL- Pat...you are blowing my mind! Where do you come up with this stuff? I am not sure why there were not more Dogtowners at this contest. Personally, I had alot of friends in San Diego ( where Spring Valley is ) and that I was always at that park from the day it opened. The Spring Valley pool was one of the most perfect pools that I ever rode. It was the equivalent of the pool at the Winchester Park in Northern California...very smooth and very round. I held my own in the pools, but I was never in the same league as say Dennis Martinez (riding for"Gull Wing"at the time), who just tore the place up. Oh yeah, I almost forgot...many Dog Town guys hated the San Diego skaters and would not skate with them. Of course, I thought this was stupid and hung out with the Spring Valley crew a lot (they were way more laid back than L A skaters).
TOM- You have done a lot demos, freestyle and ramps. One of the more intresting demos that you did was at the Boys Detention Center at Malibu's Camp David Gonzales, in the summer of `77. How did you get involved with this jail demo and who skated with you?
PAUL- Sorry, I cannot remember. I did so many demos that it is all one big blur. Besides that, all of the LA schools where we did the majority of our demos look just like a prison so it is hard to tell it apart from the real thing.
PAT- In `76, when Jamie Budge approached you to try his Windskate, you were not impressed. When you did try it, you were pretty good at it and you were in the ads for Budge. Many of our players are not familiar with the Windskate, please explain what it was all about.
PAUL- It is a sail on a skateboard...just like a windsurf device and hauls ass! Jamie would take us out to dry lake beds in the desert to ride. Fortunately, I have sailing my whole life so the two went together and I picked it up pretty fast. Check it out here: http://www.windskate.com/index.htm.
TOM- On SKATE TRIVIA # 19 we asked about you and Peralta testing the Quicksilver at the Horseshoe. Tell us about the other skater Jose Gallan, that was there that day.
PAUL- I mostly remember testing the Quicksilver board with Stacy Peralta and George Powell in the parking lot of Pacific Palisades High School. As for the Horseshoe pool, only Stacy was brave enough for that. Those early Quicksilver boards were not ready to be pool boards. Stacy fixed that after hooking up with George and starting Powell/ Peralta. Also, I believe that Jose Galan was also there at Pali High for the first test of the Quicksilver boards. Jose was an extremely athletic skater. At 18 years old he was around 6 foot 1 and 200 pounds of muscle. Although he specialized in freestyle, not one of the " bad-ass " Z-Boys would ever say or do anything bad to Jose. He was a crazy Cuban who could probably kick your ass, but he never had to because he was such a nice guy. I saw Jose for the first time in 25
years in 2006. He has had a pretty hard life with substance abuse, but he seems to be back on track. PAT- Where are you skating these days?
PAUL- Ladera Ranch Skate Park (I live Ladera Ranch, California. It is in South Orange County). I also skate quite a bit at the Etnies skatepark in Lake Forest, California. I keep a Wes Humpston Bull Dog skate in my car and I will skate at any skatepark in any city if away on business or pleasure. However, I get most my kicks from Surfing, which I do at least once a week year round.
TOM- Paul, thank you for sharing some skate history and giving one of your boards for our winner.
PAUL- OK! Thank you.
PAT- Yes, you heard that correctly. We think the game has decent prizes, relative to skate history, and considering what we have. PAUL HOFFMAN has just upped the ante. Tom, tell about this board.
TOM- In 2005, Paul put out a limited number of OSF (OldStyleFreestyle.com) boards. The board is 29" x 8" with a 17" wheelbase. This board is signed and number, 24 of only 25 made.
PAT- Our winner is Brian Kelley of Alabaster, AL. Spence, if your Dad dosen't give you this board, let us know. We will put the pressure on him.
TOM- Thanks for playing. Your board and shirt are in the mail.

Q:DEB- Hey Tommy.
TOM- Hey Deb. So you blackmailed Pat into letting you ask another question.
DEB- You be nice.
TOM- Why did you choose " Skateboardmania", as the subject? Did you like the costumes?
DEB- Ha Ha. Yes, I liked the costumes. But before I get started , I want to give a shout out to the Wahine Girls.
TOM- You can't do a shout out!
DEB- Oh, get over it. I probably won't be here again before the Pro Bowl, so I want to wish the ladies good luck.
TOM- On to `78 and "Skateboardmania".
DEB- When you and Pat were doing the Tony Jetton question ( # 21), I started looking over some of Pat's research material. I thought Skateboardmania was cool. It was a family show. I'm sure your wife and kids would have enjoyed it.
TOM- This is a skate history site, we don't ask questions because they are cool.
DEB- Then why didn't you ask Paul Hoffman about being in Skateboardmania ?
TOM- Hoffman was in it ?
DEB- Yes and he had a dance routine in the show.
TOM- We missed that one. Carry on.
DEB- Skateboardmania was the brainchild of Chris Brough, a theatrical effects specialist. He was the writer, producer, and director. It was a futuristic arena show, or as Brough liked to call it,"a living movie". It had a 40 foot high screen, that they would project computer animation on and to bring the skate action down to the arena ramps they used one of the first lazer light shows. They had all these futuristic poly ramps made by Firestone and Rad Ramps. Oh, and plenty of music.
TOM- Including the " Loop of Death ".
DEB- Actually, it was called the " Loop of Life ". It was 14' in diameter with a 17' approach ramp. This loop needed to be made every show and it wasn't going to happen on a "free" ride. So, Skitch Hitchcock designed a rail or track to allow Jetton to make it every time.
TOM- Duane Peters was the only skater to make the loop without the track.
DEB- He broke his collarbone, too.
TOM- Who were some of the skaters in it?
DEB- The cast consisted of about 28 or so, including understudies. The main characters were " Earth Boy " played by Ray Flores," Space Queen " played by Vicki Vickers, and " Ghost Rider " was played by Tony Jetton. Some of the cast included Hoffman, Bob Mohr, Deana Calkins, (Sabre guys) Tim Marting, Paco Prieto, and Lelani Kiyabu. The rehearsals were pretty tough.
TOM- So what's your question ?
DEB- With any theatrical production you understudies in case a main character gets sick or in the case of Skateboardmania, a character gets hurt. Who were the female understudies on this show ?
TOM- That's too tough a question. There is not enough info on Skateboardmania out there. You would almost need a program from the show to know that. Got another question ?
DEB- Pat said that you would do this. Ok, who played the " Evil Emperor " ?
TOM- That is not a skate question. I don't think that guy could skate with those huge shoes on.
DEB- I saved the best one. Chris Brough hired Bill Shaffer and Todd Schlesinger of Rad Ramp in Costa Mesa, to create the " Loop of Life ". In turn, they hired two skaters to wire the loop. We already know Duane Peters was one of them. Who was the other skater ?
TOM- Now, that's a skate question. Do you have any clues ?
DEB- On the first question, their initials are KC and LM. KC rode Gulllwings and LM was a Powerflex girl. On the third question, this skater was on the Hobie team with Peters.
TOM- I must say, this question went better than your last one. Tell Pat to do something today.
DEB- He has the pasta machine on. It's a big mess. And you guys thought "Skateboardmania" wouldn't make make a good question. Say "hi" to the family for me. Bye.
TOM- For the first correct answer to Deb's first or third question ( the Evil Emperor question dosen't count ), the winner will receive a Jan `79 Skateboarder. Remember if you know the answer , tell a kid. Share some skate history.

A:TOM- I don't get it. We put up a basic elimination question (#23) and it takes almost 3 weeks to get an answer. Deb puts up what I thought was a decent question and it takes 3 hours to get an answer.
PAT- Yeah, she's bummed. She didn't even get to give a second clue. I believe that was the fastest answer that we've ever had.
TOM- What do you know about Kerry Cooper and Laurie McDonald ?
PAT- Kerry had nice legs.
TOM- That's it ?
PAT- I think she was a local at Reseda. I don't know anything about Laurie McDonald.
TOM- Your research sucks, old man. What do you have on Paul Wooldrich?
PAT- Tommy, I didn't do any. This happened so fast Deb didn't have an answer ready. What I thought was ironic about Paul Wooldrich was that he got paid to ride a Rad Ramp but in the Hobie ads he is skating a Firestone ramp.
TOM- This is embarrassing. Let's get this over with.
PAT-Our winner is Chris Solomon, of B'ham. He burned us on this one.
TOM- Thanks for playing Chris. Your mag and a retro Flying Wheels shirt are in the mail.
PAT- I just figured it out. It's spring break and you're home alone with the kids. Is Daddy getting testy?
TOM- Ask the next question.

Q:The last time Alabama hosted a pro vert contest was March 15th&16th, 1986. Bill and Tina Grimes put on the Hot Tropics PRO/AM "Southern Fried Shred", in Mobile. It was held in an airplane hanger on a halfpipe built by Tim Payne and Tommy Kay. Even though the purse was only $3100, it was still a great contest. In the amateur field there were over 70 entries. Six heats of 12 or so skaters made the qualifying hours and hours long. The best ams from all over the country were ripping it up. I was pulling for Ray Underhill and Doug Walker. By the end of the day, eight skaters qualified for a jam format final. You knew you were watching the future pros. The results were:
1- Adrian Demain
2- Eric Nash
3- Jim Murphy
4- Jeff Hedges
5- Jason Jesse
6- Mike Speranzo
7- Alan Midgette
8- Chris Borst
9- Reese Simpson
(Ok, there are nine in the results. Jeff Hedges and Reese Simpson tied for the 8th qualifying spot.)

The pro skating was just what you expected, the best in the world. Every one was hoarse from screaming. I won't waste your time describing the skating that day, but I was pulling for Craig Johnson. After a cut to 16, the results were:
1- Tony Hawk
2- Lance Mountain
3- Jeff Phillips
4- Lester Kasai
5- Gator Rogowski
6- Craig Johnson
7- Tony Magnusson
8- Mike McGill

There are some good stories surrounding the Hot Tropics PRO/AM " Southern Fried Shred". (One embarrassing story concerning yours truly.) One story centered around the airplane hanger and what happened there prior to the contest.
Tell us the story and you will receive a April '86 issue of Thrasher,(Hawaii, Girls, etc...) Remember if you know the answer, tell a kid. Share some skate history.

A:TOM: You've got to get off this movie crap. That answer had nothing to do with skating.
PAT: It is an interesting story, though. In MoFo's photo's from the catwalk (over the ramp), you can see these concrete runners or footings. They were about 2' high and 2' wide and at least 100 ft. long. I was told the gimbels ran on these. The -
TOM: Are you gonna tell the answer?
PAT: Oh yea, "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" filmed in this hanger at Brookley Field, in Mobile. The alien spacecraft scenes were shot there, from what I understand.
TOM: This is embarrassing. But not as embarrassing as "Chew And Spew".
PAT: I'm telling you that Popeye's Chicken was extra spicy that day.
TOM: You didn't have to puke right in front of the chicken booth.
PAT: I didn't do it on purpose, our winner is Bill Butler from Phoenix, Arizona.
Tom: Bill your April "86" Thrasher, a retro Flying Wheels shirt, and your very own personal SKATE TRIVIA Air Sickness bag are in the mail.
PAT: Tom, it's a "Survival Kit". It has a wet wipe, an alcohol swab and a piece of gum with it. And it comes with instructions.
TOM: This game is going downhill fast (no pun intended). I never thought I would say this, " Where is Deb?"
PAT: Deb can't help you now.
TOM: Ask a skate question, this time!

Q:A while back, one of the kids at the park ask me a question, which is rare because they are usually laughing at me. He wanted to know about the angled riser pads on my 37" Bulldog. I explained they were for carving. "It will turn on a dime". It still wasn't sinking in, for the kid.
I showed him some geriatric carving and let him try it on my board. He was stoked. He had discovered one of the basic elements of skateboarding, that many of the younger generation are missing out on.
Of course, he had to suffer through a carving history for getting to ride the Bulldog. "You know carving was so popular in the 70's they had carving events at contests". He had never heard of such and thought I was making it up.
"OK, you get to hear about the "BIG CARVE OF "78". They had tape on the wall for markers and a couple of spotters in the bottom of the pool. Back then, most park pools had drop in channels or such. For his push, this guy would get back twice as far away from the drop in than any other competitors. "Man, he had to have had some speed".
The kid didn't believe a word I said. Share some skate history with this younger generation.
Who was this Carve King and what was the length of the BIG CARVE OF "78"?
For the first correct answer, the winner will receive a Feb "84" Thrasher and a shirt.
Remember, if you know the answer tell a kid. Share some skate history. (They probably won't believe you, but tell them anyway.)

A:PAT- Before we get started, I want to thank everyone who attended the Pro Bowl contest. This year was good, next year will be for real. Thanks to the pros that came out.
TOM- Thanks to the sponsors, "Dagger" Dave Duncan, Christian Hosoi, The World Cup, Brian Kelley, The City of Alabaster, and everyone who helped to organize a great contest.
PAT- Oh, and a shout out to Cressey Rice.(1st place women's) I love you.
TOM- Are you forgetting how old you are, old man?
PAT- I was feeling pretty young when she hugged me.
TOM- Stop now before you say something stupid.
PAT- That's every skater's dream, to be in love with a girl who can skate better than you.
TOM- I knew it was coming. Can we get back to the question?
PAT- Oh yeah, the big carve of '78.
TOM- We just keep recycling our answers. Jimmy Plumer was the answer to our first question.
PAT- It just happens that way. I've got another question about Plumer.
TOM- If it's the space queen question, don't ask it!
PAT- I would like to ask Jimmy about catching air on a motorized skateboard.We had one of those at the shop, and it was hard to control.
TOM- Jimmy Plumer carved 13'9" at the Hester Pro Bowl series, at the Newark skatepark.
PAT- We would like to discuss more about competition carving, but it would give away the answer to a future question.
TOM- Our winner is Dave Cobb from Belton, Missouri.
PAT- Thanks for playing Dave, hope to see you at next years pro bowl event.

Q: My 70's generation of Alabama skaters always looked up to the Florida skaters. They were our pro bros. We related to those guys. We skated with them. We understood the non coverage from the mags.
In '77, when the pics of Mark Lake and Greg Meischerd at Indian Harbor doing somersault airs, or as Mark Lake called them, upsidedowners, came out, it was mindblowing.They were finally being recognized by the West coast for some outrageus air.
In '78, David Norton, owner of Flying Wheels skatepark in Gadsden, was organizing the biggest amateur skate contest ever, in Alabama. He asked me who we should have for head judge. I said Mark Lake. Mark accepted our request. He judged and ripped the place apart. There were so many Florida skaters there, we Alabama skaters finally felt a part of the East skate scene.
When Mark and Mike Folmer went to California, to compete in the Hester series at the Big O skatepark, we were pulling for them. Those were our guys. We 70's Alabama skaters recognize and appreciate the Florida skaters influence on our scene.
This question is aimed at you AOS(Artofskateboarding)guys. Thanks for joining SkateAlabama.
One of Mark Lake's early models, was the first to incorporate an innovative design feature, on a wooden board. What was it?
For the first correct answer, the winner will receive a SKATE TRIVIA shirt and a mag. Remember, if you know the answer, tell a kid and share some skate history.

A:PAT- The answer was Mark Lake's "air rails".
TOM- To discuss this answer with us, we have a special guest.
PAT- We would like to welcome Mr. Mark Lake.
TOM- Thanks for joining us Mark. When you were designing the "air rails" on your Flite model, were you working with Steven Derran?
MARK- Yes – Steve and Dave Derran from Rhode Island, of all the companies and sponsors I skated for they still have remained the coolest, nicest people I have worked with! Air rails were s simple design; we were just looking for a place to grab for airs!
PAT- Y'all punched many holes on the extension at Indian Harbor Beach when you landed those upside downers. Give us the story on this trick.
MARK- Indian Harbor Beach was where I first started attempting back flips it was a concrete bowl about 10ft high with a wood extension we added on. It had maybe a 6ft transition with 2 ˝ to 3 feet of vert. I have no ideal of how we used to ride that thing. When attempting back flips I would land it side ways then slide it in backwards to a fakie. Where I finally started landing it and riding out was in the backyard of my parent’s house. It was one of the biggest and first half pipes in Florida. No flat bottom in those days just a continuous 10ft transition to 12 ft high with 2 feet of vert. I was skating by myself and decided to practice the Lake Flip. After about 10 attempts I finally landed one. I learned how to do it by going straight up with lots of speed reach down grab the board between your legs towards the back for more control, go out the top and pull straight back and flip. This was in the late 1978
TOM- Everyone knows about Bobby Valdez's invert. Can you tell us about the "Patala Popout"? Set the record straight.
MARK- Paul used to skate IHB with me all the time, him and Tim Eball. This was around 1977 or 1978. I remember he used to grab the board going back side between his legs, then raised the board off the wall do a 180 land the board back down and ride away. Shortly after that he started doing it on the vert extension. I had never seen anybody do that trick or attempt it before Paul. He was definitely was the innovator of that trick.
PAT- after Flite you joined with Bruce Walker. You had another design innovation with your second Walker model, "The Nightmare” in late 85. Tell us about the hand and foot hooks on this model.
MARK- when I came up with The Nightmare design it was all about function. When skating in the summer your hands would get sweaty and the board would slip out of my hands on airs. So I put the front hooks in so your hand would lock into place and the board wouldn’t slip away. The back hooks were for doing cess slides to hook your heel or toe’s into so you could push our pull the board where you wanted it. After I did the cut out it created a very original and funky design. Either people loved it or hated it. It ended up being walker’s best selling board and most talked about.
Bruce Walker just found 70 original nightmare decks in his warehouse stored since 1985 already cut out. The tails had some delimitation some of the layers of ply. I have repaired all of them and they will be getting original graphics silk screens on them they will be sold on a first come first serve bases. They should be ready by July. They will be posted on my website. There maybe a new 2008 nightmare model coming out.
TOM- We see Lake Skateboard’s Chris Coffman from Atlanta place 1st on a regular basis. Tell us about the LAKE SKATEBOARD TEAM, which you started around '87.
MARK- Lake started in 1987 and closed in 1990 do to the almost death of skating. No park no ramps. With all the new parks and skating on the up swing we have restarted Lake. We have a small team right now we are taking it slow. It’s a part time thing for me. I am more about having fun, then trying to make money from it. In the future when I have more time to put into it we will expand and make it grow.
PAT- Thanks for joining us Mark.
MARK- you can contact us lake at lakeskateboards.com or by phone at 954-428-8112
TOM- DC Photos of Montgomery, got the answer.
PAT- Let's not forget in addition to his photos, Dave Campbell is the consummate board builder.
TOM- He won the first 2007 Board Builder Award by Silverfish.
PAT- Page 40, Concrete Wave Spring '07 issue. D C was taking so many pics at the Pro Bowl, I tried not get in his way.
TOM- You were in everyone's way.
PAT- It was a good contest.
TOM- It was a good contest, old man. Can't wait till next year.
PAT- Dave, send us address and shirt size so we can get your mag in the mail.

Q:At the recent World Cup Pro Bowl, held here in Alabama, Benji Galloway won with a score of 92.66. Congrats Benji.
Before 1980, what was the highest winning score in a professional pool riding event? And who was the skater that posted it?
For the first correct answer the winner will receive a mag and a SKATE TRIVIA tm shirt.
Remember, if you know the answer, tell a kid. Share some skate history.

A:TOM- You know we haven't mentioned our SKATE TRIVIA tm TEAM, in a while.
PAT- Yeah, well they have it made. Andrew and Steven said to give a shout to Frank and Calvin, from Ventura. They camped next to us at the Pro Bowl.
TOM- We have a first time winner on this question.
PAT- The answer first, mole friar. Eric Grisham won the Hester #5 at Upland, Sept. 22&23, 1979, with a score of 95.30. He ended up in fourth for the overall series.
TOM- The Variflex team came on strong at that contest. Grisham won pro, Steve Hirsch won am and placed 5th in pro. Together they won the doubles event.
PAT- Patti Hoffman won the womens. Don't forget George Orton was Variflex at that time and won top doubles honors for the series.
TOM- I always wondered about the team switch after that contest. Orton left Variflex for Santa Cruz and Eddie Elguera left Hobie for Variflex.
PAT- Well, keep wondering because I don't know any details. Tell your Eric Grisham story.
TOM- I was skating at Solid Surf, in Ft. Lauderdale, in '81. There was only one other skater there. We had the place all to ourselves, all day. He was killing it. I noticed he was " Variflexed " out, head to toe. At the end of the day, he introduced himself as Eric, no last name. We shook hands and went our seperate ways. Only later, did I realize I had spent the day skating with Eric Grisham.
PAT- Who is our winner?
TOM- Our winner is a new member to SKATEALABAMA.com, John Fleshman from Kansas City.
PAT- John, your Nov.'83 Thrasher and a SKATE TRIVIA tm shirt, are in the mail.
TOM- Thanks for joining Wighat's site and thanks for playing.
PAT- We've been doing this game for a year now. Thanks to everyone for playing.
TOM- So, with that in mind, we put an extra effort into this next question. Carry on, old man.

Q:(For the games' First Anniversary, we are going to try something new, a 60's question.)
In '64, Hobie Alter joined with the Vita-Pakt Juice company, owned by Dave Hilton's dad, to form the Vita-Pakt Hobie Exhibition Skateboard Team. Now with some money behind him, Mr. Alter started a massive publicity campaign.
In '65, Mr. Alter was looking for a way to promote his team and product. He hooked up with Bruce Brown, the creator of the surf film "Endless Summer" and organized a skate tour. The team would travel from California to New York stopping in towns along the way to perform their demos and have free showings of the movie. It was a hit, at one demo they had over 10,000 people.
By '66, Hobie had a totally new team. I don't know if the '65 team was burned out from the extensive tour the previous year, but they had a new team nonetheless.
That year Hobie put on a series of contests around Southern California using the team as judges. The series concluding with a championship at the world's first skate park. It was big. The competition was televised on ABC's Wide World of Sports.
What was the name of this first skate park?
For the first correct answer, the winner will receive something and a T-Shirt. (take a hint from #23 it's not a mag.)
Remember, if you know the answer tell a kid. Share some skate history.

A:TOM: I have to tell you old man, your research skills are sorely lacking. "I don't know if the '65 team was burned out..." What was that?
PAT: That was my theory. If I don't know, I don't pretend to know.
TOM: What do you know about the answer? The world's first skate park, "Surfers World" in Santa Ana.
PAT: Not any more than you do.
TOM: If we didn't have guests on this show, you would be out of a job.
PAT: That's where the fun is. Having our guests set the history straight.
TOM: Our next guest knows some skate history. We are honored to welcome the Team Captain for the '66 Vita-Pakt Hobie Exhibition Skateboard Team, Mr. Cris Dawson.
PAT: Thanks for joining us Cris. Tell us about "Surfer's World" and the series leading up to the championship being held there.
CRIS: There was a series of contests through the year (1966) it seemed like at least two per week. Most of the contest were in southern California and some in Arizona. The culmination of the Hobie/Vita Pakt contest series was a great event at the worlds first skate park “Surfers World” in Santa Ana California.

The competition consisted of about 5 different Solomon runs (each run was progressively more difficult than the other) there was a large freestyle area with bleachers for spectators and some banks to ride on. The competition was televised on the Wide World of Sports. The Hobie skateboard team judged the entire competition
TOM: Pat needs some help on this one, Cris. Give us the story on why Hobie had a new team in '66?
CRIS: As the story goes the old team got tired of skating just wanted to go surfing and have fun rather than being part of the organized team.

The new Hobie Skateboard team consisted of 6 people three men and three women. The men included My self as team captain Ray Flores, and Tom Waller. The women were Windy Bear (sister of Danny Bear) Coleen Boyd and Suzie Roland.
PAT: Were there any Makaha skaters that jumped ship and joined Hobie?
CRIS: The team came together as a result of a contest in 1965 at Palisades High School. Skeeter BeBe (Former Duncan yoyo champion and sales promotion manager) was scouting for a new team for Hobie Alter. He was so impressed with the high caliber of all the contestants and selected three men and three women for the new Hobie Skateboard team. I was the winner of all the men’s divisions, down hill slalom, flat land slalom and freestyle Ray Flores and Tom Waller followed in that order. the Women’s division was dominated by Windy Bear than Coleen Boyd and Suzie Roland.
TOM: I'm sure, our Art of Skateboarding.com players would like to know, as would I, about Hobie marketing the first pressure molded skateboard. Tell us about those boards you were riding then.
CRIS: Needless to say the boards were outstanding many other companies tried to copy the pattern because it had a great shape. The board was made of a combination of fiber glass and resin composite, it had a natural rocker shape. The bottom the board had a support beam down the center and concave areas for wheels. The rocker shape made it perfect for developing new tricks and gave your feet the leverage needed for to stay on the board for many advanced maneuvers. In addition to the great board as a team we also had the first soft composite wheel. It still had ball bearings but the ride smooth and quiet similar to today’s wheels.
PAT: You set the record for 360's in the '60's, as well as nose wheelers, and heelies. After Hobie in the '60's, you skated for Zephyr in the '70's. Let's say, we take a trip back to the Zephyr shop, when you were showing Peralta and Hoffman some freestyle fundamentals.
CRIS: All of the members of the Zephyr team were all naturally talented but in order to compete in many of the existing contest they needed to learn some of the tricks of the day. I brought them many of the tricks I developed and many I’ve mastered. Many of the tricks that I brought them, they took to the next level and out mastered the master.
TOM: You are an important figure in skateboarding, yet you have remained out of the light, by your own choosing. The purists call you "a real skater". How many fingernails did Stecyk pull out with pliers to get you to do the Jan '84 Thrasher shot?"

All of my fingernails are still intact.
It’s always a joy to work with Craig. Craig is a great story teller and any association with that kind intellect is well worth any effort
PAT: Why have you stayed out of the light for so long?
CRIS: I’ll tell you guys if your not aggressive in the world and you’re a giver and not a taker you will be passed up by the public and some times in history. Its nice to have friends like Paul Hoffman who will give you the opportunity to stand up and say “I’m here”.

Here is an example. How Stacy Peralta got his first “Who’s Hot” interview in Skateboarder Magazine. In the fall of 1975 the Mag contacted Jeff Ho and Craig Stecyk looking for someone to get the next “Who’s Hot” interview. Apparently it was between two skaters Stacy Peralta and My self. Jeff and Craig came to me and the decision is mine as to who gets the next “Who’s Hot” interview. I decided to be unselfish and thought the honor should go to Stacy Peralta. I lost my chance at additional fame and glory. I felt more like a mentor to Stacy than a competitor. To this day Stacy and I are friends. After the Zephyr team I continued my relationship with Stacy as he went to the G&S team and Powell Peralta. Craig Stecyk an I developed advertising for Stacy during the years that followed. We even won the honor of having the best advertising campaign for the Skateboarder Magazine the same year Stacy received his award as the top skater in the Skateboarder Magazine readership pole. As you may have noted I was not given any credit in the movie “Dog Town And The Zboys” that may be due to the fact I was not in a certain photo taken just before I joined the team.

In addition to the Thrasher Mag article I can be found as “The Skating Policeman” in SkateBoarder Magazine Volume3, Number 4. April 1977
PAT: There are stories surrounding your midnight runs on the miracle mile. What does you’re skating consist of these days?"
CRIS: Today I like to ride the streets and do the snake runs at some of the local parks
TOM: Thanks Cris, for giving one of your boards for our winner and helping us come up with this question.
CRIS: I bless Paul Hoffman for his great effort to produce this board. With out his help it would have never seen the light of day. The collaboration between my art and is business skills brought this effort to completion.
PAT: I've never seen an interview with Cris Dawson before. This may be the first one.
TOM: If you had asked him, the Tony the Tiger question, I was going to pop that noggin'.
PAT: Don't forget your job, Ed. Tell our winner about this board.
TOM: 7 ply 29.5 x 8.5w 17"wb The board has a full rocker with wheel wells.
PAT: Our winner is Hair Austin from Iuka Ms.
TOM: Your Cris Dawson deck and SKATE TRIVIA shirt are in the mail.
PAT: On this being the games' first anniversary, I would like to offer a toast. Thanks to all of our players. We hope you're having as much fun as we are discovering some skate history. Thanks to our guests for sharing. Thanks to our SKATE TRIVIA TEAM; Andrew Black 22, Steven LeBlanc 15, Andrew Walker 8, Stewart Kinkle 7, for representing us. Thanks to our team's co-sponsors Southern Fried Skates of Huntsville (for your decks) and Ride 1 skate shop of Florence. Thanks to my skate partner Tom and his family. And thanks to Deb for being interested. Tom, would you like to add anything?
TOM: No. You make a fool of yourself and you want me to catch your back?
PAT: Here's to ----
TOM: Your spilling it. I've got kids. I shouldn't have to put up with you. Ask the next question.

Q: Skaters on television.
We all know Stacey Peralta did the Charlie's Angels episode. On this 70's cop show, three skaters got out of hand, and were sentenced to skating only at a skatepark. Of course, the cops had to show them how to skate the park. I know it's cheezy, but it's still skateboard history/ trivia. Which skater(s) , who later went on to pro skate careers, did the skater's stunt double for an episode of this popular 70's cop show? Name the show and one of the skaters.
Bonus question: For a 70's Waldo Autry sticker, what was the name of the park they were skating? The winner will receive a mag and a SKATE TRIVIA SHIRT. Remember, if you know the answer, tell a kid and share some skate history.

A:TOM- Everyone knows about Bert Lamar and Sims. What do you know about Arthur Vieccio?
PAT- Not alot. He placed 26th at the 1st Hester series contest, at Spring Valley in '78. He was George Orton's doubles partner in that same event, tieing for 7th with Brad Bowman and Kent Senatore. He skated in other Hester Series contests as well.
TOM- Enough of the contest stuff. Who did he skate for?
PAT- I think maybe Gullwing. Someone help me on this.
TOM- You didn't do any research on this one, did you?
PAT- Give me a break, I've been busy. Remember, it was your question.
TOM- This is a sad day for our players, when refinishing a deck, and i don't mean a skateboard, takes priority over giving a quality answer.
PAT- Guilt is not working. You have to help our friends out.
TOM- Our winner is the host of this game, Mr. Wighat.
PAT- We assure you that Wighat gets no help from us because he owns the site.
TOM- But he may be getting help from Buddy.
PAT- Wig doesn't need any help.
TOM- Tell him what he has won.
PAT- I haven't looked yet. Wig, you will get your mag in about a week, because i'm very busy.
TOM- This is unreal. The game is falling apart. I'm taking applications for the old man's job.

Q:I apologize to our out of state players, but we have been asked to do another Alabama skate question. Here goes. When I moved to Birmingham in '78, I met Mark Eddings, and we have been friends since then. Hwas an accomplished skater, and slalom was his specialty. I only remember Mark getting beat through the cones only a couple of times, contest or no contest.

Mark is a fun person to hang with, both then and now, and he had the strangest skate ritual in the 70's. When he first got to the park, after a couple of runs, he would go berserk,beating his board on the concrete, and screaming at the top of his lungs. At first he scared the kids, but they later got into it, when he would have an episode.They would gather around and shout "break it, break it". After that, he was on for the session. It was hilarious. It got his mojo on.

In the 70's, west coast skaters competed in Florida,and mostly won but occasionally got beat; (Peddie beating Alva at Kona).This happened in banked slalom too. A Florida skater beat a top California skater. This Florida skater later came to Wheel a Wave for a demo. He set up some cones, and Mark smoked him. Some days you're on. Who was this Florida skater that Mark smoked through the cones that day in '78?

(By no means are we putting down this Florida skater. We have the utmost respect for Florida skaters, Its just a chance to shine on one of our Bama skate bros.)

For the winner, a SKATE TRRIVIA shirt, and a vintage mag. Remember, if you know the answer, tell a kid and share some skate history.

A:TOM- That took longer than i expected.
PAT- You gave good clues.
TOM- The answer is Charley "speedy" Gonzales from the Daytona, Florida area. He skated for Brewer and then went on to NHS/Road Rider. He was also the resident pro at Florida's first skatepark, Scatboard city, way back in 1976.
PAT- He beat alot of big names at a Kona contest.
TOM- Like who?
PAT- I don't want to say, until we can verify it.
TOM- Yeah, but he didn't beat Mark Eddings at B'ham that day back in 1978. Nothing against Charley, it just makes a good skate story.
PAT- And it took a skater from Florida to finally get it. Thanks to Mark Eddings for not giving up the answer. I know he was asked.
TOM- Our winner is ETR of Birmingham,Al. He is originally from JAX beach Florida.
PAT- You have won " a best of reggae" cd to play on wed. nites.
TOM- You can't give your girlfriend's cds away. He gets a Dec. 82 Thrasher instead of the cd.
PAT- Thanks for playing, your mag is in the mail.