Before it became a multibillion-dollar empire, skateboarding was simply a productive way for surfers to wait out a dry spell.
It was 1975 whenHugh Holland happen upona gang of skateboarder cruise the drainage ditch of Laurel Canyon in Los Angeles , California . Holland knew he had found the next national of his photographic endeavors .
Holland would go on to capture images of the athletics , along with its accompanying culture , over the next three years . His timing could n’t have been better : skateboard , once an bodily function for surfer who wanted to get their epinephrine going when the sea just was n’t supplying it , was well on its way to becoming the about $ 5 billion empire it is today .
eminent requirement for the detonate mutant meant that skate green started popping up all over California – and the rest of the country – at around this time period . But give way the endangerment that come with the sport , financial obligation insurance bounty were high , and many of the parks struggled to stay on open . Thus , boarding in a neighbor ’s empty pool became a popular option .
“Arthur’s Attitude (Arthur Lake), Kenter Canyon Elementary,” 1976.
Before Holland bade adieu to skateboard , he catch the deliberate stage dancing of Zephyr squad ( the Z - boys ) members – including fabled skateboarders Stacy Peralta , Tony Alva , and Jay Adams – at a time when skate john were not something you memorized butmade .
For more , check out our collection offemale skateboarders from the 1970sandthe world ’s most extreme sports .
“Hollywood Local,” 1976.
“In Your Face (Jay Adams), Kenter Canyon,” 1976. Jay Adams was an original member of team Zephyr. He died in 2014.
“Hardstanding on the beach. Danny Kwock, Balboa,” 1975.
“Hangin' in Balboa,” 1975.
“South Bay Gang,” 1975.
“Asphalt Angel, Kenter Canyon,” 1976.
“Reach out,” 1976.
“Stacy Peralta Ripping at Coldwater Canyon Pool,” 1977. One year later, Stacy Peralta would become one of the founders of Powell-Peralta, the company that would later give us the Bones Brigade, another groundbreaking team that brought much attention to the sport.
“Jesus Saves, Marina Del Ray,” 1977.
“I’ll be on the street,” 1975.
“Sidewalk Surfer, Huntington Beach,” 1976.
“Last light at Kenter Canyon,” 1976.
“Tube Socks on Board, Marina Del Rey Skate Park,” 1977.
“Green coping,” 1976.
“Carlsbad Skate Park,” January 1977. One of the first skate parks to open its gates.
“Schoolyard Invasion, Brentwood,” 1976.
“Collision on the Ramp, Redondo Beach Pier,” 1975.
“Skate Snack, Del Mar,” 1975.
“Over the Light, Santa Monica,” 1976.
“Left Turn Only, Orange County,” 1975.
“Sidewalk Surfer Pit Stop, Huntington Beach,” 1975.
“Skate Contest Spectators, Torrance,” 1975.
“Team Line-Up,” 1970s.
“Flying Bull on the Ramp,” 1975.
“Del Mar Daffy,” 1975.
“Canyon Sunset Ride, Hollywood Hills,” 1975.
“The Viper,” 1976.
“Solo, Kenter Canyon Elementary,” 1976.
“Off the Wall Reach,” 1976.
“He Shreds this Pool,” 1977.
“Dog Day Down, Kenter Canyon Elementary,” 1976.
