Skating is a billion dollar industry these days. You’ve got endorsement deals, signature shoes, a constant supply of new videos and European skate tours were everyone involved looks 100% wasted. Things were a lot simpler back in the late 70s when Hugh Holland took his iconic skate photos.
Back in those days the boards were narrow, t-shirts were for losers, and drained backyard pools were plentiful. It was right before the first big skating explosion and several light years before Tony Hawk was living in a house made of gold and Danny Way was dropping in from helicopters.
Three decades later and Holland has finally (finally!) released a book showcasing his photography, Locals Only: California Skateboarding 1975-1978. Focusing as much on the stoners, weirdos, surf kids and randoms hanging around the backyard pools as the actual skaters, the book makes late 70s California look like the best time/place ever.
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