Coke
before settling at Chasers disco for a bump and grind session. Footwork by
Sergie, Christian, Cochrane, Peanut, Grosso and locals Astrid, Kimberly, Mad
Matt and Johnny McGrath cleared the floor of the club and at times bordered
on the illegal. No casualties were reported even though the lights-out call came
on the dawn side of three in the morning.
Despite the debauchery of the night before, all were present and accounted
for close enough to the desired and designated practice session at Torquay.
There were enough spectators present to overflow the grass-covered dirt
mounds that angled away from the flat bottom to create a sunken skate arena
effect and a good view for all. Partly cloudy skies threatened rain while blustery
winds buffetted aerial attempts, and caused some sketchy bottom landings.
Nevertheless, the crowd was excitable enough to cheer the skating throughout
the two day event which featured the gang of pros from the U.S. in a head-to-
head skate down with the best of a hot Aussie crop. New Zealanders Gregor
Rankine and Lee Ralph were on hand to bolster a healthy home front roster
including Tony Hallam, Jason Ellis, Chris Paine, Dominic Kekich, Morri from
New Zealand, Matt Anderson and Johnny McGrath. Once again Tony Hawk
turned up the volume with twisted tricks that bugged the eyes of everyone pre-
sent. McTwists and fastplant-to-fakies were enough to keep the wind-burned
crowd calling for more and light a fire under the rest of the competition.
This second annual Ramp Riot was highlighted by a spirited sunset session
at the Rip Curl mini-ramp on Saturday night. Lance and Gonz were flying over
and under each other. Christian was pulling marathon runs including every
trick in the book and air as lofty as the ramp was high. Grosso was in classic
dork form with his keep on truckin' rock 'n' rollers and butt jack style.
Sunday's finals went off without a hitch and no one was surprised when he
was presented with the winners check for three large. His efforts were not without
pressure from Christian, Cab and Lance Mountain, though. Except for an un-
fortunate fall in his final run, Lance might have ended up in second place in-
stead of fourth.
When in Oz, do like the Aussies, so it was off to the local council facility
near Geelong for sessions until dark and an hour drive back to Melbourne.
SCARY CHOW
"Dude, it's Halloween," said Christian Hosoi. "We've got to dress up."
All Hallow's Eve is not widely observed in Australia. The only indications
we could find were a few sundry shops in Downtown Melbourne selling trick
or treat kits complete with goody bag and a mask. Christian wandered off with
Cochrane in search of Italian cuisine, but his last words kept ringing in my ears.
I asked our hostesses Kimberly and Astrid to pull out the lipstick and eye
shadow and do what they do best. Grosso and Nash were first to volunteer
for make-overs. By the time it was all over our heroes were rouged and lipsticked
with eyeshadow to match. Grosso's push-up bra, dress and high-top Vans com-
plemented his hairless physique. Nash opted for patent leather skin-tight pants
Top to Bottom: Aboriginal art.
Johnny McGrath, high speed flight
at Bulleen ditch. Innovative spec-
tators at Pahran ramp demo got
one up on the crowd. Melbourne
local Jason Ellis floats over Pahran
ramp. Garrett Folt, scissor-kick
flyaway at Pahran bowl. Loft: Nell
Blender working the delicate edge
of an 8-foot diameter public pipe
at Nanawading. Opposite Page
Spread: Australlan pro Tony Halam
flies frontside before a thick and
surly crowd at the Rip Curl ramp
during the annual Torquay Ramp
Riot. Bottom: Two street skaters
pose with a grim reaper, one of the
few signs of Halloween in Oz. Local
frontside flyout of a donut bowl
near Sydney. Skaters mug with
police car while Christian holds
court in background after Martin
place, Sydney demo. Torquayramp
riot panorama, McGill aloft.
THRASHER
ότι