Mid-Eastern Skateboard Series

In 1983, a total of 59 skaters entered MESS contests. In 1984, 118 skaters participated in the MESS. Some of the skaters who participated in the MESS eventually became professional skateboarders. Others continued to build their local scenes and inspire new generations of skaters. Below are some memories and photos of a few skaters who participated.

Brian Beauchene: One of the best times was rolling up to the Pheasant ramp (I think) in Jay Cabler's truck with a keg of beer. When we pulled up at the house and opened the tailgate a cloud of smoke came billowing out. We had a lot of fun at MESS contests, and it was more about skating and hanging out with friends than about winning the contests.

Brett Martin: I'm just stoked to say that I got to host a MESS contest. I learned a lot and had a lot of fun. Middletown was a favorite of mine because it drew a ton of skaters and all the fun we had before and afterwards. Mike Hill's MESS is another favorite. It was the first one ever and he did a great job, setting the standard of what was to be a great series. Oh, and who can forget the wild times at >Ridge/Carter's MESS in W.Va.! Too much. The MESS series to me was the gathering of several groups of skaters from different areas that gave us the chance to hang out, have fun together, and, of course, show off their lines and learn from others. But most importantly, the MESS series was great because I got to meet the most talented skateboarders in the region and many of them became my best friends.

Bob Pribble: It must have shown all those mom-and-dad-run competitive skateboarding kiddies from SoCal just how pathetic their scene was—probably opened a few eyes when the series got coverage in some early Transworld magazines.

Chip Jones: Along with so many others, the Middletown contests were great, as was having McGill, Gator, Jim Goodrich, and Mofo come to the J-City contest. To have some of our heroes come see us??? It was just too bizarre. But just the idea of loading up the Swamp-mobile with as many friends as would fit (about 8), drive to a contest, hang with more friends, make even more friends, skate....what could be better? Personal Influence: Aside from teaching me how to fall down (which comes in handy for the odd lay-out in my bi-weekly Ultimate games), I learned the concept of making something out of essentially nothing just by wishing it so. Most importantly, it also taught me that being competitive meant trying to be the best that I can be, rather than trying to beat someone else. National Influence: I think it definitely made the skating world a smaller one, in that it bridged the gap between us and the coasts. Before MESS we didn't exist in the eyes of California, and they held the position of super-heroes in ours. The 2 worlds were totally separate. MESS showed the world that you didn't have to live next to the ocean to skate well, and made all skaters feel like part of one big scene.

Joe Bowers: Any details that I can remember are good (even the embellished ones). However, the contest at Middletown at the Downeys was fun because I skated really well, as well as almost the entire skate population of Tennessee being there to keep things interesting. Brian Beauchene won the 2A division, followed by Lyle Donoho and Doug Walker, which only added to the good feelings going around. The contest at Mishawaka (1985, Eastern Blowout series) was memorable because it was an interesting ramp during the hottest part of summer and I decided to skate in jeans and sweatshirt. I got last. Some of the antics involved in getting to and from an event were always an integral part of the adventure. The best was on the way to an Ohio event with Brian, Jay Cabler, and Doug, with myself at the wheel of the 74 Vega. We had stopped at a gas station in Kentucky for fuel and body relief, and a Van full of handicapped individuals had also. Prosthetic devices appearing as mangled legs from underneath a closed stall was enough to send a few co-travelers over the edge. The MESS was a springboard for a lot of people, myself included, to get jobs in the skate industry in California. However, coming from the scene we had in Tennessee and going to where everything was happening (?) was a little disheartening. Sure, it was good to be around people only seen in the magazines, and skate the spots, but that could never reach the same level of fun I had skating with the Tennessee and midwest locals. The influence I felt was just that — the friendship from that time could never be replicated; same as the skating that was going down. Skateboarding is something I'm involved with every day, and it's been that way since I was seventeen (and I have had a skateboard since I was six). The best time was 1982-1985. No doubt this was a time in skateboarding when it didn't matter what your gear or scene was about as long as you were skating.

Jay Cabler: MESS helped to keep skating alive at its lowest point. At the time, we were the only skaters east of the Mississippi. This attitude helped to keep skating alive as the east coast made its way west. Without skaters from the MESS contests moving to California with this attitude, skateboarding would be much different today. It was all about the act and process of skating and doing something that had never been done before. The MESS was all about true dedication to the sport of skateboarding. (Jay passed away May 8, 2023. Keep on shreddin' Jay.)

John Wittpenn: It was the Middletown contest where Sarge dropped in and just slammed into the facing wall. I remember him getting up, screaming loud four letter words, and just running back up onto the deck, and dropping back in. I remember tents everywhere, and once again, great skating with great skaters. I was so stoked just to skate with all of these strangers. Everyone was great to talk to and just hang out with. MESS and people like Ridge were huge influences. Skating was dead as far as the general public felt. Ridge and I were skating in my parent's basement, when he said "we have to build a ramp". And so we did. No "what abouts....", just build a damn ramp. I really don't remember the first time I heard about the MESS series starting, but Ridge was on it, and we hopped on, too. Think about this: a whole contest series is planned and implemented by a group of skaters who are geographically separated, but share a common interest. The contests (to me at least) were like a jam format, where everyone was a winner, and everyone was pushing everyone else. It was a great time in my life, and it helped in forming my attitude that anything is possible, if you believe in it.

Lyle Donoho: All the contests and skate spots after—D.O. banks, Brett Martin's ramp, swiming pool, and skate video session. Bob talkin' in his sleep after one contest! Ray Underhill, his skating and attitude. >Britt Parrott, for lining up the MESS contests. And sessions at any ramp anywhere! The first contest at Mike Hill's. Skatin' with the Ohio, Knoxville bunch, and Joe Bowers. The Nad Ramp crew and Bill Saunders (thanks for letting us build the ramp). Those were some great skate sessions. The skaters that influenced skateboarding either turned pro or own their own skateboard company, skate shop, or still work at skate companies and skateboard magazines. It's just amazing to me how one series made such a impact on skateboarding.

John Fudala: Getting to meet all the skaters from all over the mideast and being part of the contest, it was definitely the beginning of something bigger. All the free stickers from the sticker toss, to us it was like they were throwing money at us. Those were the days.

Mike Hill: Middletown contest was fun, lots of energy and a diverse group for sure. I was stoked to travel anywhere with Kevin and Brett; they had a huge impact on me as a young teen. Meeting all the skaters who put their zines together: the Knoxville and Nashville crew, the Ridge and his hand written zine (the Shredder), the Indy guys, and the Michigan group were always fun to hang out with. Everyone skated so good. Looking back I had no business skating in the sponsored class. The West Virginia trips were always unforgettable. Skaters and true pecks coexisting in perfect harmony. Hosting a contest was an experience for me at 17. I quickly realized how bad my ramp sucked, and speed bumps in the flat bottom were not considered normal. At the moment, you're just doing it for the sake of doing it. It definitely had an impact as far as mideast skaters later working at the magazines/companies and the dedication they brought to it from the MESS days. There was competition but it was more based on camaraderie and a reason to meet up with people. For me personally, it was my source for friendship with people who had the same obsession and probably kept me from going insane. The memories of those years are still quite vivid and probably the best times I've had in skateboarding.

Ray Underhill: I honestly think that the series made the predominantly west coast skate world realize that they weren't the only ones out there and take notice of the ingenuity and determination and talent of the rest of the country. I wouldn't trade the memories for the world.

Ray Underhill (pictured right) passed away on August 1, 2008. He will be missed by all who knew him.

If you were a part of the MESS and have information or photos to add to the site, send me your details.

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