Mid-Eastern Skateboard Series

Ray Underhill

Hometown: Hendersonville, TN (Now: Wilmington, NC)
Still skating? Yes.
Occupation: Art director/eastern skateboard supply, web design/tony hawk, inc.
Moved to CA: 1985
Turned pro: 1987 (Powell-Peralta (model), Gullwing, Airwalk, Skate Rags)
Favorite MESS memory: That nervous, excited feeling when you'd see the contest ramp for the first time.
Influence of MESS: 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.

Other comments: I wouldn't trade the memories for the world.


Above: Ray Underhill on his way to third place in the MESS finals in 1984, Greenville, SC.

Left: Ray Underhill, still hip, lunch-hour ollie, summer 2002, Wilmington, NC.

Ray passed away on August 1, 2008. He will be missed by all who knew him.