The House of Tom: Groholski’s ramp. ‘83-’84 New Brunswick, NJ. Words and Pictures by Rob Mertz

Groholski’s ramp. ‘83-’84 New Brunswick, NJ.

We spent a lot of time at Tom’s ramp and let me tell you, he could rip it!!! The first time I saw Tom skate it-I was in complete disbelief. I never saw anyone skate so good, and that ramp was gnarly!!! Skinny and slippery as hell and unforgiving. I can still remember the sound as my hip would bounce of the plexiglass. POWWWW!!!!!! and the time my friend Jonathon went flying off the side of the ramp, over the fence, and landed in a pile of trash, and the time we drove all the way down there to find Tom’s little bastard of a brother hosing the ramp down and using it as a slip ‘n slide….damn good sessions went down there. I wish I could find more of my photos but, for now this will have to do Rob…

Tom grinding the extension!! The
ramp was only 12′wide and he threw
an extension on it!!! He could do
whatever he wanted on that thing.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Tom “The Jersey Devil” chucking a frontside boneless off the extension. I’m telling you-he could hit 20 walls every run with no problem at all…. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Whoa brutha…tom floating one of
his patented nosepickin’ lein airs.
Funny, that’s how I do ‘um now….
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Tom had his ramp so wired…it was
just amazing to watch. His dad was
really cool too……..fakie ollie

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Reprinted from Mertzworld.net with Rob’s Permission

Thanks Rob!!

I got to skate at Tom’s once with Dan Tag and Tom. Cant say I took to the ramp all that well. I remember it being ridiculously slippery as well. After I managed to pull all the tricks I knew at least once I called it quits and watched Tag and Tom do there thing… I always had a camera but not that day for some reason…too bad. I remember Tom Talking about taking the summer to skate with Wilkes and work on 540’s must have been 87 or so.

jason

PS Checkout Mertzworld.net it rules and remains a precursor to The House of Steam in my mind. There are tons of pictures, accounts and where are they nows. All from Robs illustrious skate history….and alot of pink letters too!!

Oh yeah here is Rob Mertz in The Zorlac zero hour video…tell me this couldnt be 2007 by the tricks Mertz is pullin waaaaay back then (circa 90 maybe?)

http://youtubeskate.com

Thanks again Rob!!

jason

Thanks to Chris and Bryce at Skatedaily.net for posting The House of Tom as a news event!!

jason oliva

Thanks to Wendy and Tony for getting all this together…(Check out Squindo.net)

and Tom for the big Ole stamp of approval!!! You Rule!!

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The House of Tom: Tom Groholski

Tom Groholski

photo provided by Tom Groholski

Not sure Where, Not sure When, I am sure of how and why though!!

Any clues people?

Reminds me of this Glen E. Friedman classic:

Vision ad Tom Groholski Reading PA, Photo Glen E. Friedman

Thanks to Jake Egolf for sending us this ad!!

I recommend all of Glen E. Friedmans photo books especially F you Heroes.. It has this Tommy G pic in it… classic stuff

jason

Thanks to Chris and Bryce at Skatedaily.net for posting The House of Tom as a news event!!

jason oliva

Thanks to Wendy and Tony for getting all this together…(Check out Squindo.net)

and Tom for the big Ole stamp of approval!!! You Rule!!

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The House of Tom: Tom Groholski Invert to Fakie CCCC Va

Tom Groholski Invert to Fakie CCCC Va

Photo provided by Tom Groholksi

This is a tough one to work out. Its either a layback air or an invert to fakie. Tom killed both tricks…What do we think?

Jason,I think these are both tuck knee inverts to fakie… Straight up, boned out back leg, and straight back… So Sick.

Dennis Kane

Tommy G Invert to Fakie Girl Ramp NJ 1987

Nice one Dennis…

jason

Thanks to Chris and Bryce at Skatedaily.net for posting The House of Tom as a news event!!

jason oliva

Thanks to Wendy and Tony for getting all this together…(Check out Squindo.net)

and Tom for the big Ole stamp of approval!!! You Rule!!

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The House of Tom!! Tom Groholski at The Girl Ramp NJ 1987

Tom Groholski Girl Ramp NJ 1987 Rocky Vertone on Deck

Tom Groholski Mute Air Girl Ramp 1987 Rocky Vertone on the other deck!

So I am pretty sure this is 1987 because I used to drive to The Girl ramp and I know thats Rocky Vertone cause well Ive known him since 5th grade. I also know these where taken by Ben “Corntastic Cornman” Cornish cause they are black n white. I can also confirm all of this cause I was there on this day with everyone. lets see we had Tom, Pappo(NYC), Puppet(NYC), Tag(Dan), Jimmy and Dennis Kane, Rocky Vertone, Me(jason oliva), and Bernie O’Dowd. Great Day!!

If you are wondering it says Dagnasty across the far wall of the ramp…

oh yeah

Jay “Dammit” Henry says hello Tom!

Yes, this is my vintage photo, taken circa 7:45 pm today(july 25, 2007)…notice how the “camera man” (and I use the term loosely) not only took the front side grind fashionably late, but he somehow manage to get less than half of my body in frame…ah yes, those were the days…

I also decided to include one I took after my bike wreck the other day, just so everyone can stop wondering if I still smash my face on a daily basis, I do

 

Jay Henry

 

Ouch!!

 

Jay is OK (as Ok as Jay can get ) so dont worry…Where is that ramp? Looks like Woolworths.

 

Nice One!!

Thanks to Wendy and Tony for getting all this together…(Check out Squindo.net)

and Tom for the big Ole stamp of approval!!! You Rule!!

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THE House of Tom!!: Tom Groholski.. Big Frontside Boneless Stone Edge Florida

Tom Groholski Frontside Boneless Stone Edge Florida Circa ?

photo provided by Tom Groholski

Maybe someone can come up with a Date on this one.

I know it Stone Edge in Daytona FLA because I saw Mertz Skate there!

Send in some info if yu have a date on this…

Nice One!!

Thanks to Wendy and Tony for getting all this together…(Check out Squindo.net)

and Tom for the big Ole stamp of approval!!! You Rule!!

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THE House of Tom!!: EAST COAST PRIDE by Tom Groholski.

EAST COAST PRIDE

 

Skateboarding was way underground back in the early 80’s

after the parks closed and lots of people bailed. The fire was not

out though, not in our neck of the woods. Ramps were built in

backyards, the woods, and, yes, even barns. If you wanted to

skateboard in the Northeast, you had to work for it — build it yourself –

get out there and help others build theirs, and get it going.

The weather was also a huge obstacle. Rain was always a bummer,

but snow and ice was where it got interesting. Shovel the ramp before

the driveway. When the driveway and sidewalk were done, the ramp would

be dry. Chipping ice and melting it with space heaters was common.

Getting to ride was the payoff.

The one place shovels weren’t needed though, was the Barn. The

Kane brothers, along with Jay “Damn it!” Henry and the future Team Steam,

beat the elements with a 12′ wide, 8′ tranny, and 1′ vert ramp with angle iron

for coping. 12′ Wide was cool, but 16′ was better, and soon the ramp was

widened, layered with masonite and topped with pipe coping on the dark

side and some chunky rock top pool coping on the other.

From my vantage point, I couldn’t see the coping on the next wall

from the deck due to the beams that held the lights and the barn together.

Your hands would sometimes hit the beam if you flailed. Bats would fly,

rats, possums and raccoons dug the place and kept it interesting.

Skating at night was a bonus, but when someone would trip over the

extension cord outside, you’d better hope you weren’t riding.

You never knew who would turn up. The door would open

and “No way!” You were greeted by friends you haven’t seen in a

long time. The locals would session all of the time, but Wednesdays

and Saturdays were when the out-of-towner’s would know there would

be a session. Heavy sessions went down. Total aggression. Punk and

metal blasted, and so did the skaters. It was all happening fast, so you’d

better be paying attention.

Unreal times, great memories, and lifelong friendships, all thanks

to skateboarding. Talk about East Coast pride — mine stems from the

places we built and rode, but most importantly the people I’ve been

fortunate to get to know along the way.

Tom Groholski

For The House of Steam 2007

Tom Groholski 85 The Barn NJ

Photo by I CHING

Not gonna say much here, Tom said it all…

I will add though the chunky pool coping was taken off of my folks back yard pool!!

thanks Mom and Dad.

Along with this crazy good essay Tom has sent us 12 seriously vintage photos so lets call it The House of Tom while I get em all posted.

Thanks to Wendy and Tony for getting it all together…(Check out Squindo.net)

and Tom for the big Ole stamp of approval!!! You Rule!!

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Jedi Frank Marley Cheap Skates PA 1991…May the Jah be with you!

Frank Marley 1991 Cheap Skates Sean Miller (sleeping on the flat) And Darren Menditto (sitting) circa 91′

Hey!

Names jedi(Frank). I live in PA right outside Philly. About 2 miles from where the old Cheapskates skate park was located. (now a paintball shooting park)
Started skating in 83′. Nothing fancy those first few years.

Wasn’t till 87′ when some of us built a mini half in the woods by my house.
That first year I learned the basics. But we were very limited with the size of the ramp and weather.

Then comes the “Long Cold Winter” of 88′

Cheapskates.

The owner of Cheapskates was offering free skate time to those who helped with the construction of the ramps.
I was the only one from our group the took Rob up on that offer.

That mini was huge compared to what I was skating just months earlier.
And the vert…….

Anyway. With one moth of free skating and a lot of courage later I conquered both.

I was on my way to being considered a ‘Local’. For the first 2 years, Monday threw Thursday 4PM till closing. (Friday thru Sunday was always packed).

Great times and met some great people there.

In 90′ I was off to collage. (Penn State)
For the next 5 years (graduating collage in 4 years is like leaving a party a 10:30) my board was my mode of transportation to a from class. And a means of exploring the area.
Some great spots to skate at State Collage PA. Shame the weather is poor most of the year.

95′ I graduate with a degree in one hand and my board in the other.

From then till now I took over the family business, got married and started a family.

And after 24 years…….Still skating.

Nice one Frank!!! Send more pics!!

Cheap Skates has changed so much through its existence . Here is a pic from about 3 years ago from Derek Rinaldi. (If Vert Ramps where weeds this place got sprayed…jason) Although this is probably preferable to the current paint ball park there.

Mural of Seam Miller CheapSkates PA… too cool!

Thanks Frank Marley and Derek Rinaldi

Send more Cheap Skates pics… and anyone who has a Long Winter sticker…scan it, photograph it, send me the car bumper you stuck it to! That thing has become a grail quest around here.

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Frontwards Bernie O’Dowd Santa Monica Cove CA 2007

Backwards Bernie O’Dowd 2007 still doing his thing every week.

Checkout Santa Monica Coves Photo Blog

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Irene Ching!! Hail Hail the gangs all here. Circa 86 The Barn NJ

Irene Ching circa 86 The Barn, NJ

Hi Jason,

I wanted to submit some photos of the Barn for your great website.

I had the pleasure of skating with Dennis and Jimmy Kane this past Saturday (July 7, 07) at the Delaware Gap facility.
It has been some 20 years since I’ve seen them last. Wow! It was a good time with Papo and Pup (puppetsjazzbar.. clicky..jason) sessioning, too.
Of course, I brought my old collection of photos to show them, and that’s when they told me to contact you.
I hope they can be of use. I do have more pics of the Barn.

Thanks and keep up the great work,

Irene Ching

So I get introduced to Allen Gibson (DG Skate Facility) through mutual friends in NYC. Allen knows Menditto, Boyle..etc etc. I introduce him to Jimmy and Dennis Kane. They go to skate and Papo, Pup, and Irene are all there….too cool!!!

Irene has sent in some of the best pictures of The Barn to date and has a ton more for us!

Cant wait…here is a sample of the gems:

Jim Murphy The Barn circa 86

Pre Dread Zorlac John Gibson riding Jim Murphy!

Nice one Irene!!

PS..If you are in any of these photos send us a comment or an email! We are looking for you!!

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Shane Thomas and his Bird Bath Bowl…VA

Hello Jason,

I was just checking out your House of Steam site and
saw a bunch of familiar faces that brought me back to
“the day.” Growing up in Dover, DE and picking up my
first real board back in 83′, I couldn’t help but
notice all the old east coast flavor you got going on
that site.

Being a East Coast skater, it’s great to see you
representing the right coast with everything and
everyone who has made us what we are today… the best
at having fun and building our own s#@t to skate. I
hang with the OBX crew a lot and friends with a ton of
folks from PA to NC.

Anyway, I wanted to shoot you a few shots of my
backyard in hopes that you can find the time to swing
through whenever you find yourself down in VA. I live
in Newport News and my “bowl” (dubbed the “Birdbath“)
was made with DIY skater love for anyone willing to
grind it. Enjoy the shots… come on down, drink a
few beers and get in some grinds. It’s made a name
for itself as a “Humbler” (as Murf put it in a
interview he did with my buddy Mark Corbett in a old
Juice mag) so, it will definity break you off if your
sleeping at the wheel. Being 34 and skating for over
24 years on the East Coast, it’s what skateboarding is
all about in my opinion. Come get some!

Keep up the solid site. That s#@t, much like the East
Coast in general, RULES.

Grind for life,
Shane T.

Shane Thomas at home Bird Bath Bowl VA 2006

Maaan how cool is that. Seems like the ideal backyard. When I get across the pond I will stop in for some fun (my folks live an hour away).

Thanks for spreading the House of Steam word!!

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