Harley Parson
Idaho - USA

These photos were taken in 1980 on the dunes at Montana de Oro, California

That was me back then. Not sure of the exact date. I went to college at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo from spring 1978- winter 1980. I have been "sand skiing" many times since then. We were sand skiing for a while at about the same time snow boards became available in laminated plywood. I would like to know if anyone remembers the contests we had back then. Boarders used black bungy cords over the top of tennis shoes on SIMS, Burton and Barfoot ply wood snow boards standing side ways like you do. One guy had a 30 inch long 2x4 laminated with Formica who rode bare foot and no straps of any kind. Just a piece of carpet on top with his rear foot pointed back, toes wrapped around the tail, front foot forward. We set up beer bottles as slalom cones for duel slalom races. He beat everyone with that 2x4.
The ski is 30" long solid Canadian maple shaped after a "WINTER STICK" by a guy named Kevin Peterson, an electrical engineer from Palos Verdes whom I met at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Only three such boards are known to exist. I still have mine and ride when ever I can. We stood one foot in front of the other like a water ski, standing on carpet with two leather straps. The board has a very deep channel between the swallow tail and turned a very tight turn; Carving long "tube rides" - 360's - figure 8's in powder and big air.
There are even BIGGER dunes here in Idaho at Bruneau 45 miles south of Boise. Much steeper too than Montana deOro. I'll hook up anyone that wants to go down and ride here in Idaho.
I remember Jack Smith. He ran a lot of skateboard contests back then. I would judge the freestyle events. He may not recognize me from these shots, I only had the long hair and beard that last year. Jack and I are the same age.
Kids in Mountain Home Idaho Live closest to the Bruneau Dunes State Park. I worked in ski shops in Sun Valley for 12 years and so know lots of boarders.

Harley Parson
Boise, Idaho - USA
10/99

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MARCO MALAGA
SARAH MYERS
JORDAN OAKLEY
TIM OATES
WILLIAM PARRISH
HARLEY PARSON
DAN PILCIC
JULIE PILCIC
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