Skateboards have evolved over time–but it’s not just the boards themselves that have changed, it’s also the people who ride them. Taking a look back at skateboarders in the ’70s, photographer Hugh Holland told Russh Magazine, “The style was incredible. That’s what brought me to it in the first place. I always say it’s like a ballet on concrete. I came into it being totally fascinated with capturing the point where the action reaches its peak.”
Over the course of several years, the watchful photographer documented Californian kids who confidently rode their boards everywhere. It’s important to note that California experienced a severe drought during the ’70s. This left many manmade pools empty and they served as prime locations for adventurous and thrill-seeking skateboarders. With their colorful tube socks, these young men and women rode against the wind with their beach blonde hair blowing behind them. There’s a sense of ease in their movement, which Holland perfectly displays in his candid shots.
In 1978, something changed, causing the photographer to end his documentation. “It was the last year of the free spirit,” he says. “But at the end, the reason I stopped was because I didn’t like photographing the company logos, you know.” While he no longer photographs skateboarders, Holland has preserved his past work in a fascinating book entitled Locals Only: California Skateboarding 1975-1978.
