When I heard that Heckler Magazine and Red Bull were hosting the Third-Annual Strawberry Bash pool contest at the Strawberry Lodge in Lake Tahoe, California, this Septmeber, I was instantly game to make the trek up north from San Clemente. This place is utterly classic and is host to one of the largest pool contests in the country. It's the embodiment of apres ski circa 1954. The four-person staff was completely harried and not prepared for the 200 skateboarders, photogs, and hangers-on from all over California (especially Grass Valley) and Oregon that had gathered by their crick. That didn't stop anyone from destroying this perfect pool in the woods nestled next to the Kybers River.

The girls started off the day at 1 p.m. with a 30-minute practice and then split into two heats of about six girls each. Everyone was impressed with the amount of air these girls were clearing out the back of the pool. The riders were judged in accordance with the World Cup Skateboarding point system. Cleaning up in first was Portland native Kim Petersen, followed by fellow Northwesterners Jessica Starkweather in second and Nicole Zuck in third. Nicole was the photogs' favorite of the day, ripping in a low-cut half-shirt and push-up bra, red lipstick, and giant hoop earrings.

Next was the 35-plus division. No one in that pool looked like they skated like a 35-year-old. The legendary Duane Peters kicked ass and took first place, of course. My partner in crime and Dickies Girl marketing hottie Mindy Foster and I were star-struck. It was really cool to have seen him skate this pool.

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