SKATE TOWN
R
R
Chary
by Tony Roberts
1965
Skateboarding used to be an extention of surfing. Surfers
would skateboard on days when there was no surf, and prac
tice the latest moves. Any sidewalk hedge you could tuck into
was a pitching, spitting tube ride. Let's skip the bit about 2x4's
and rollerskate wheels and just say the first centers of skater
energy were areas of surf energy. Santa Cruz, California, was
one of those areas.
1975
Urethane wheels expanded the possibilities. Road Riders.
were the wheels, and were conceived and manufactured in
Santa Cruz. 360°s, kickflips and handstands were happening.
but emphasis was still on surf-style carving. The hot spots were
places like The Pit, Lipton Bowl, Fredrick Street Bowl, or the
nearest hill above Santa Cruz for a run through the cones.
Though not technically inside the Cruz County line, the
Novitiate Winery pool and Uvas Spillway were discovered in
the surrounding countryside.
1976
The bicentennial of this great country was upon us, and
skateboarding was resurfacing in a big way. Ed Da Roza and
a crew of his surf bros built a concrete snake run in his
Pleasure Point backyard. Nicknamed the "Fish Bowl" by
photographer Gary Mederios, this was the first Northern
California skatepark, along with the very prblic, very harsh.
asphalt Fredrick Street snake run. Backyard pools were
drained, and coping was ground by Tony Carter, Scott Som-
mers, Robert Garrett and others. Bill Ackerman, Kenny, and
Gary Herbst ripped the Buena Vista pool. Skateboarding was
growing fast, and everyone was screaming for something new
to skate.
Above: The Capitola Classic was the last gasp before downhill street racing went
the way of slalom and barrel jumping. Photos by Kevin Thatcher. Spread: We're
not exactly sure how famous point break Steamer's Lane got its name, but this
outside peak about to fold might be a clue. Photo by John Mockus. Left: Born
and bred Santa Cruz skate/surf rat Tony Roberts pumps his plant at Derby Park.
Photo by Marc Ripley.
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