Terrazzo surfing

From USAFA Folklore

Terrazzo surfing, or Terrazzo sailing, is a stupid cadet trick done on very windy days, which are not uncommon at the Academy. When the wind, usually out of the west, exceeds 30 knots, the weather is prime for terrazzo surfing.

The trick is usually performed by tying a bed sheet to a wheeled chair, then opening it up like a sail and allowing the wind to blow you at high speed across the Terrazzo. Teams of two using "appropriated" laundry carts often work better than solos, and any ice on the Terrazzo only enhances the experience. The practice, like most fun things, is officially banned by the PTB, citing its inherent dangerousness.

[edit] The night it was banned: An account

• The night (or at least one of the nights) that Terrazzo sailing was banned was a particularly gusty night in the winter of '94-'95 (if my now geriatric brain remembers right), with strong 50kt winds coming steady off the Rampart Range, blowing almost directly down the Bring Me Men Ramp. Starting from all the way back from the Honor Wall, using a footlocker dolly and bed sheet tied to the front of the frame, you'd get a 15-20 mph head of steam as you steered your way along Vandy towards the ramp, trying to steer with your feet and yelling at nerds who were actually studying that night to get out of the way as you literally blew past them, nearly forcing many to spill their books. Things probably would have been fine that night, but only one of the two metal guards that block the bottom of the ramp was swung open, leaving a narrow passage of escape into the Clinic parking lot. All went well for at least an hour, with those who had vector trouble bailing out if decapitation was quickly becoming a factor. Then, someone wasn't so lucky or smooth, and they smacked the barrier hard, landing in the hospital. That was the end of unrestricted Terrazo sailing...at least sledding down the hill behind Sijan with trays from Mitch's was still an option then. - Jamminnnav '95