Boston's Underground Snowboards Holds 5th Annual TrampJam
by Phil Joseph
(October 27, 1996)

Faces at TrampJam...with a picnic table...and some beverages, and Dave Olcott, too.

On Sunday, October 27 about 600 people headed out to downtown Boston's Commonwealth Avenue where Underground Snowboard Shops held its 5th Annual Snowboard Tramp Jam. The event was Underground Snowboards way of getting everyone together to launch the riding season and get hyped up for the coming winter.

"I remember the first time we put on the event with Curt Hulst and Dave Mills," said Dave Olcott, who started working at Underground before starting the snowboard consulting company Stimilon International. "We organized it for the first three years and saw attendance grow from forty people to a crowd that required closing down a whole city block to hold the event," added Dave. "It's great to see how the industry helped support the progression"

Representatives from K2, Burton, Arnet, VewDo, Stratton, and Mervin were just a few of the industry companies that had attended to help make the event a success. "There's such a big tradition behind the event, in it's fifth year running," said Tim Sternberg, rep for Burton Snowboards and Arnette sunglasses. "Lots of pro riders show up and we get a big east coast presence, it's also a great opportunity to display this year's product to the consumer along with all the other companies."

"I think the event went really well and the turnout was fantastic", said George Wisell, the manager of the Wellesely store who helped organize this year's Tramp Jam. Live music was performed by the bands Tree, Smother, and Pornstars, along with some nicely spun tunes by D.J. Gabe D. Leon. "Tree, one of the hottest bands in the Boston area gave an impromptu performance. They just showed up and said they were playing," said George.

The eventful, big air filled tramp contest was judged by Dave Mills of Airwalk, Bethany Stevens of Fresh and Tasty mag, and Dave Olcott. Top winners in their age group for the contest included Pam Johnson (Airwalk) for the women and Pete Brinkerhoff (K2, Oakley , and Blonde) for the men. A skate demo by "Hell on Wheels" provided for non stop simultaneous action throughout the day.