Author and skate Trat,' Erle Hom
edges for a healthy heart.
18
FRAT
RATS
Cal Poly
fpecia em Om Spor
SAN LUIS OBISPO
American Heart Association
PUT-ONS
EK
TIRANER
Go
blast
an air.
Callomia Polytechnic State University
Skateboard Cub
PHOTOS: DAVE KLEIN
CAR WASH
500
347 SAKUSA
ГОВ
SULLY'S
Beer, prizes
of Canyon
I
Mustang Daily
Marty Jiminez on the "frat ramp"
JESUS CHRIST CAME:
TO SAVE SINNERS
INTO THE WORLD
BIBLE STUDY
FRI 731
Cal Poly fraternity
sets Skate-A-Thon
The 1984 48-hour Thrashathon blew many
mainstream minds as we raised $3200 for the
American Heart Association. The event was pro-
moted by Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity and
Thrasher Magazine. The 110 members of
Lambda Chi Alpha, with the help of Team Mad-
rid, Central Coast Surfboards and Splash, con-
tinuously sessioned on a skate ramp for 48
hours. This event took place in the University
Union at the California Polytechnic State Univer-
sity, San Luis Obispo.
Due to University restrictions, the ramp itself was nothing to get
excited about. Previous plans for a standard size ramp were shot
down in flames by the University administration. When the dust
cleared a 6 foot transition, 8-foot flat bottom, 12 foot wide ramp
emerged. By comparison, this was sufficiently less than the orig-
inal plans but proved to be suitable for our needs. All wood for the
"mini" structure was flowed from local lumber yards.
The level of skating that took place on this ramp was extreme
at times and meek af others. The following article is an hour by
hour account of the events that plagued the campus during the
sessioning.
Wednesday Night 12:00 p.m.:
Rain. Supposed to start skating at 12:00 midnight. Lots of rain. At-
tempts to cover ramp only failed. Supposed to christen ramp with
the help of a couple dozen sorority betties. Christening cancel-
led, no girls, no skating. Stress level approached untolerable
limit.
Thursday Morning 2:30 a.m.:
Rain stopped. Jack Daniels stopped by for an attitude adjust-
ment.
Thursday 6:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.:
Skating starts. Ramp was slapped together quickly during the
night. Frat bros start skating. Passersby stared but could not
comprehend. Kal Benuska shocks the fan with unbelievable
maneuvers. Mike Rowley gets biggest slam award.
Thursday 10:00 a.m.
Team Madrid shows up: Beau "Let Me Teach You How to Toss
Stickers" Brown, Bob "Chicks Dig Me 'Cause I Skate Smeltzer,
Steve "I Like Skate Cookies" Douglas and Marty "1 Worked in a
Bar" Jimenez were all ready to rip. Students start to smother the
arena: Some stare in disbelief while others wonder why they, too,
can't skate.
Thursday 10:30 a.m.:
The school newspaper comes out with an article on the
Thrashathon. Newspaper said, "It's not as violent as it sounds"
and that "Thrash is a word commonly used by those involved in
the sport to describe an aggressive style of skateboarding that
emerged in the late 70's." Hmmmmmm...
Thursday 11:00-12:00 Activity Hour
A record 3000 people confined in the University Union all stoked
on skating. School officials became so stressed that they had to
watch. Betties all over the place. Steve Douglas riots crowd with
frontside R&Rs, lofty fakie ollie airs and other vicious moves.
Gangs of women start forming. Thrasher magazines sail through
the air. Marty Jimenez pulls off continuous inverts and has the
70% "Aggio crowd roaring for more. Bob Smeltzer clears a path
for destruction of myths pertaining to what you can do on a
skateboard. Bob goes through numerous perfect routines that
left a quivering crowd screaming for an encore. Bob Denike
proves, "Yes you can get straight A's in college and still pull off
damaging lapover grinds." Local Eric Alman proves to be a Cen-
tral Coast force to be dealt with. Scott Woodworth snaps the in-
criminating photos.
Thursday 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m.:
Local T.V. cameras show up to film the blazing. Students play
hookie from class to watch. Mark Bergland approaches his 6th
hour of sessioning. Rumors of a "skate party" to be held Saturday
night are floating around. Pledges thus far: $2500. McDonald's
flows 160 hamburgers and drink to all skaters.
Thursday 1:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.:
Skating continues under a constant crowd. Some rain-not
enough to stop, though. Local pizza joint flows grub and sodas.
Team Madrid disappears into Los Osos fog and are found ripping
Jack Smith's ramp. Mark Bergland takes an hour break. Roy Cot-
terhill takes control of the lip. Thrash-a-thon is televised on local
T.V.
PUT-ONS
TIRANER
EK
BULLS
Bob Schmelzer impressing a
collegiate audience with his foot work
Steve Douglas, early morning fakle air.
TOB
SULLY'S
KA
madrid
RAYE