Pictures of the generation that shaped skateboarding.

Pictures of the generation that shaped skateboarding.

45 years ago, Netflix didn't exist, cable TV neither and US youth was living in a constant informative bombing about the Cold War. Who wouldn't leave home and try to forget about all the madness in the world while cruising on a skateboard?

Curiously , the drought that hit California in the 1970s helped catalyze skateboard culture’s popularity. Swimming pools and drainage ditches lay empty and dry, allowing kids to carve them up with their skateboards, some of which were simply coarse wooden boards with wheels – a far cry from today’s laminated creations.

Youngsters would wear colorful Knee High Socks, something that stayed in the background of the whole culture until today. 

All shots by Hugh Holland. The Californian photographer shot when skateboarding was just on the cusp of coolness. He was lucky enough to be around and capture these amazing moments of youth with desks and socks!

american socks old school skate skateboarding

american socks old school skate skateboarding

american socks old school skate skateboarding

american socks old school skate skateboarding

american socks old school skate skateboarding

american socks old school skate skateboarding