FLORIDA BACKYARD SERIES
#2 Naples April 30th
After three hours of boring travel we
arrive in Naples, home of Florida's mil-
lionaires. Upon arrival at the ramp, we
find the creator, Chuck Hults, anni-
hilating the structure. Created only
two months ago, it is 20' wide with 14
flat and 1' of vert with a tight transition.
Chuck managed to obtain some prime
coping and a new layer of wood in
time for the second contest of the
series. Some hot sessioning took
place Friday evening. With the likes of
Chuck Hults, Bill Procko, Robbie Weir,
Jon Grigley, Pat Soleman, pro skater
Billy Beauregard, and a few more. As
the sun started to dissipate, we found
the mosquitos sessioning on us more
than we could session the ramp so we
headed out.
Some headed to holels while some
went for the economy of Tommy's
house. After showers most went to the
mall to eat and find some further ac
tivities. We went to some rich preppie
party but they said it was closed. Did
they not care for the local skinheads
with us? We searched for more to do
and found very little. So we went to
Tommy's house for some rest. How
much fest can you get with ten skaters
in the same house anyway?
I arise with a stiff back to see sun-
shine, a necessity for a good contest.
We head out to Denny's to eat. Did the
waitress not care for Billy Beauregard
cranking up the Muzak? We arrive at
the ramp to find a few skaters but by
noon the locals and out-of-towners ar-
rived. A heated session was in prog-
ress with 90-degree temperature.
Billy Beauregard flies high over the Gainesville ramp.
At about fourteen hundred hours we
were ready to start the contest. It
seems that the North Florida Skaters
were wimps and couldn't handle the
travel so there were few contestants.
The unsponsored division had a
mere four skaters. Ramp creator
Chuck Hults was doing sweepers that
this 20 ramp could not confine to cap-
ture first and a complete skateboard
donated by the Eagles Nest surf shop.
Second was taken by Ronnie Lowe,
who skated strong and is currently
leading the series.
The sponsored division was handled
by John Grigley who showed various
handplants and lip-oriented tricks.
Robbie Weir took second with an
aerial assault on the ramp. Bill Procko
took third and a lead in the series with
consistency and altered lines. Pat Sol-
eman again managed a fourth pulling
through at the last moment.
The owner of the Eagles Nest re-
quested a little kids division, why not?
The Eagles Nest donated all prizes for
this event and ten or so wanted to
skate but we had to settle for three be-
cause of ramp liability rules. Chris
Tyrer managed first and a set of
wheels. These little kids showed a lot
of energy and future potential. After
prizes were distributed, all gathered
close for the drawing for T-shirts, cop-
ers, rails and especially the right to be
mobbed distributing stickers and mags.
After the contest most skated one last
session before heading homeward.
Thanks to all who showed. See you
next in Gainesville.
-Paul Schmitt
GAINESVILLE MAY 21st
I arrive at the new Lakeside ramp in
Gainesville to see structural repairs
being made and a new layer of
plywood being drilled and painted.
There was a hot session Friday
evening with the likes of Mike McGill,
Monty Nolder, Chuck Hults, Bill
Procko, Billy Beauregard and more.
Early Saturday morning we arose to
a hot, clear day. After food we quickly
headed to the ramp to start laying the
wood. Of course when we were near
completion all seemed to show up!
The ramp is in a cool place, on ska-
ter-owned property. The locals were
well prepared with food, Gatorade,
soda, beer, scaffolds for judging and a
local TV crew who videotaped the
whole contest. Finally after a few
hours of slave labor the ramp was
finished. I took the honor of the first
ride on this renewed ramp to find it
shreddable except for the lack of flat,
only 10 ft. or so.
With 3 hours of skating on the re-
newed ramp, definite Am standouts
were Chuck Hults, John Grigley, Bill
Procko, Buck Smith and Mark Buncy.
In the Pros there was no Chris
Baucom skating, just judging due to
an injured ankle, local Monty Nolder is
pulling notable 5 ft. frontside airs,
McGill is skating smooth. Maybe too
smooth. Billy Beauregard with tricks
all over and 6 ft. backside airs looks
most promising.
unspon. Ams start with the tempera-
ture reaching 90+ and the sun
beaming down intensely.
Chuck Hults the builder and the win-
ner of the Naples contest took his sec-
ond first in the series by using his own
scary style tactics. Hawser Pearce,
builder and financier, stayed on his
board and one point ahead of oldtimer
Mike Daily, who skated just because I
forced him to!
The sponsored division looked in-
tense with first being earned by John
Grigley, who showed one-footed in-
verts and high airs for the highest
score of the day, 272 points and a first
overall in the series. Bill Procko hand-
led second with the ability to hang on
at all times, Mark tied in points with
Bill, but his cancelled run was beat out
by Procko's cancelled run so he set-
tled for a well deserved third.
In Brandon and Naples we did not
have enough Pro entrants to have a
Pro event but we do now and it is look-
ing hot!!!
Monty Nolder blew it on his first run,
so he skated with mass aggression on
his second to capture first and a mere
$60 cash composed of entry fees.
World traveler Mike McGill takes sec-
ond with smooth style and a lack of
aggression. Okay, you say, what hap-
pened to Beauregard? Billy fell and
just basically blew it, but still managed.
to impress more than a few.
Afterwards the kegs kept on empty-
ing, prizes were awarded, and a draw-
ing was held. Everyone agreed this
was the best contest so far and just
can't wait for the last contest at St.
Pete June 11th.
I would like to thank our series
sponsors, Gull Wing, G&S, Santa
Cruz, Tracker, Motobuilt, Zorlac, Sio,
Indy, Walker, Madrid, THRASHER,
Schmitt Stix and especially Mike Shel
ton for the location.
Till later,
Paul Schmitt
3rd Annual AM Contest
Guatemala.
Guatemala...a country of ex-
tremes-commies and rightists, rich
and poor, and vert skateboarding.
What do they have in common? I can't
answer it all, but I'll cover the vert skat-
ing.
I flew down from the U.S. to be in
the 3rd Annual International AM
Skateboard Contest of Guatemala.
This year's talent was the best ever.
I'll describe some:
Bernard (Germany)-The most en-
ergetic force behind skating here.
Gnat-killing handplants, cement-
warming lipslides, a go-for-it style.
Willie (Guatemala)-A new star on
the scene, 3-foot high pogo twists. A
totally controlled style.
Sergio (Chile)-This guy gets ev-
eryone upset. He learns tricks s0000
fast. Lipslide was his favorite one, and
they were RAD. Also a new star.
Scott (U.S.)-A boarder at heart.
From speed runs through the Miami
Airport to airs above the halfpipe, a
skater at heart.
Franz (Germany)-Quiet and po-
tent. He doesn't talk about rad
moves-he does them. Contorted
lean airs all over the park.
The contest started out slow (as
usual) but the skating got hotter and
hotter. The crowd was small, but for
the better, this took the usual skate-
for-the-crowd attitude out; instead, all
the skaters enjoyed skating with all
the other skaters, and also enjoyed
the unexplainable intensity and to-
getherness that a full-on contest pro-
duces. After the final runs, the top:
places were (1) Scott (U.S.), (2) Franz
(Germany), (3) Willie (Guatemala), (4)
Bernie (Germany), and (5) Sergio
CARITAS
Kello
ZUCARINS
Parale
nopatin
real moves were pulled off. The
cameramen were stoked. I was too.
This trip had really been worth it.
-Scott Edwards
The next day, we all showed up to
skate for a popular modern music TV
program. Everyone went for it. Be-
sides some slammers, all types of un-
Skatericorrespondent, Scott Edwards, takes a break from the action while one competitor footplants and
(Chile).
others roll for local TV cameras.