By the time we got bored of them surfing it, riding it, and dragging it, the cover was well and truly scratched. But the rest of it was pretty much intact. Time for some more direct methods.
Conclusion: The rest of it might be cheap and nasty, but the cords used in consumer electronics can withstand substantial abuse.
Don't try this at home, kids.
Copyright (c) 2001 Daniel Bowen. Special thanks to Josh and Cathy.