Note: this page was grabbed from a google cache of Gary Holl's now-defunct mac.com website

The history of skateboarding in Palo Alto (often referred to as Midtown) California began in the mid 1970s. During this time local riders Steve "Dell" Weston, Randy & Brian Buck, Peter "Kiwi" Gifford and Robert "Fly" Schlafly began to shape skateboarding in to what it is today. This cast of characters played a major influence on the next generation of riders in Palo Alto. They showed us that riding was more then a great outlet for youthful energy, it was a lifestyle and an attitude. The next group of riders to make their mark on Palo Alto was Erik Taco Takaoka and his brother Scott, Gary Holl, Peter and John Cockleman, Saul Jimenez, Bruce Tom, Tom Yetso and others. By the mid to late 1970s sessions at Bombora a 22' full pipe located under a freeway, the "Los Altos" pool, the "Back Nine" a ditch and the "Granny Bowl"were heavily sessioned. The first wave of Skateboard Parks opened, among them were Winchester, Campbell, Victoria, Alameda, Rim Rider and SpinningWheels. During the Winchester and Victoria Pro Am contest the Buck brothers (they rode for Santa Cruz Skateboards), Peter Gifford (rode and had a model with Haut skateboards) and other riders from Nor Cal showed the boys from down south that they were a force to be reckoned with. Other Palo Alto riders from the Midtown area like Erik Taco and Gary Holl began practicing what was then called freestyle, most of the modern street tricks have their roots tied to freestyle. Most of the Skateboard Parks began closing in the early 1980s and backyard ramps and street riding took over. Sessions at the Cathouse pool in Los Altos, local ramps, curbs and loading dock banks were the norm. Nor Cal was blessed with Thrasher Magazine in 1981 and finally Nor Cal skaters received some long overdue media coverage. Continuing to Freestyle Gary Holl was sponsored by Santa Cruz skateboards and could be seen performing his magic during demonstrations at schools and strip malls.By the middle of the 1980s skateboarding was big, Palo Alto local Mike McIntyre built the Page Mill ramp. The Page Mill ramp had some huge sessions with plenty of Pros participating. During this same time jump ramps were used to throw your self over everything as well as being placed up against walls for some wall riding. Palo Alto skater Dave Cox mastered freestyle while Troy Slitter and Jeff Ffej Hedges (rode and had a model with Santa Cruz) skated the vert. Kevin Campbell could ride everything and anything. Kai Johnson, Marty and John Cooper (Team Yahtzee) made their mark on Palo Alto; they owned the downtown street scene that included the infamous parking lot behind 7-11. The Palo Alto Sport Shop Team riders included Chudo Ngo, Troy slitter, Mike McIntyre, Chris Cooper, Kevin Campbell, Gary Holl and Adam Krohn.The late 1980s included sessions at Joe Fratis ramp on Middlefield and of course the new Palo Alto Greer Bowls Skateboard Park; Dan Kuhns had the upper handle on both. A new generation or riders took to the streets, rails and stairs among them were Andy Hubberman, Paul, Aaron, Wayne, Addison andsome little kid called Squirt.The mid to late 1990s gave birth to many public and some private Skateboard Parks. Sessions took place at the solid min-ramp known as "Charlie's". The Twenty First century is now unfolding and Skateboarding is bigger then ever. Sessions continue at the Greer bowls and Charlie's ramp. The new generation of riders continue to tear apart all handrails, ledges, stairs, and Skateboard Parks. Final thoughts: Midtown is more then a place, it is at the very core an attitude. This attitude is to enjoy all that Skateboarding has to offer including the places we ride, the people we meet and the friends that we enjoy all of this with. Skateboarding should always be something with out rules, something that pushes you physically and mentally to learn and invent new things. Something you enjoy doing. May our wheels roll for ever.