Oral history of Hollywood High 16: L.A.’s iconic skate spot

There are stairs after which there’s Hollywood Excessive 16. On this oral historical past, the legends of the shape pay tribute to the enduring stairway of iconic stairways — a historic landmark the place the evolution of the game has become visible.

Atiba Jefferson, 45, photographer, director, DJ, restaurant proprietor and skateboarder: I feel the best factor about Hollywood Excessive is you can all the time drive by and see what’s happening.

Ryan “Beagle” Ewing, 41, filmmaker and skateboarder: It’s good that it’s open to the general public — anybody can simply admire.

Jamie Foy, 26, skilled skateboarder, three-time X Video games medalist and Thrasher’s skater of the yr in 2017: It’s simply so accessible. Clearly, the identify of the spot is the identify of the varsity. There’s no hiding that spot. Plenty of occasions in skating it may very well be like, “Oh, I don’t need folks to learn about this spot.” However Hollywood is an enormous a— spot, and everybody is aware of the place it’s. And everyone seems to be greater than welcome to go get their piece in the event that they wish to.

Dashawn Jordan, 25, skilled skateboarder sponsored by Nike, Toy Machine and Spitfire: Each time I drive by, I virtually wish to go take a look at it simply ‘trigger.

Geoff Rowley, 46, skilled skateboarder, Thrasher’s skater of the yr in 2000: I imply, it’s a spectacle. It’s proper on the facet of the highway. Parallel to the sidewalk.

Paul Rodriguez, 37, skilled skateboarder and actor, eight-time X Video games medalist: There’s an vitality of historical past that’s gone down there, the place these historic moments occur.

Atiba Jefferson: It’s the Nice Western Discussion board. Or Staples Heart, actually. It’s Lambeau Subject or no matter iconic battleground. It’s fairly wild that it could exist.

Beagle: It’s one of many solely spots in L.A. that may by no means be knobbed. The handrails are nonetheless there, and it’ll by no means be knobbed as a result of it’s mainly a vacationer attraction.

Zion Wright, 23, skilled skateboarder sponsored by Vans, Actual Skateboards and Pink Bull: It’s type of like what folks go to Paris and see the Eiffel Tower. For those who’re going to California, when you’re going to L.A., that’s undoubtedly one of many spots you’re making an attempt to hit or go see.

Patrick Praman, 26, newbie skateboarder, sponsored by New Steadiness, Actual Skateboards and Spitfire: There’s different 16 stairs on the planet. However it’s simply the proper rail and 16 stairs.

Arto Saari, 41, skilled skateboarder and photographer. Thrasher’s skater of the yr in 2001: It’s only a bizarre excessive block of concrete within the middle of L.A. that doesn’t imply a lot to most individuals. Most individuals simply stroll proper by it. They don’t suppose something of it. It’s simply one other staircase, one other rail, no matter. However so far as the skateboarding world goes, the rails are fairly good for a way massive it’s. And the way gnarly it’s.

Paul Rodriguez: It’s a historic landmark for skateboarding. There are particular buildings in sure cities that may’t be touched as a result of they imply a lot to that metropolis. And the federal government protects it from being modified. I really feel prefer it’s the equal of that. It ought to be a landmark that’s protected and by no means allowed to be modified.

Erik Ellington, 45, professional skateboarder and proprietor of Deathwish Skateboards and Human Leisure Companies: To me, the structure of it symbolizes what I envisioned as a Los Angeles highschool to seem like. There’s one thing lovely about it even with out understanding what the historical past of skateboarding is. You’re simply gonna take a look at the 2 units of stairs or sit and take a look at the mural. It’s type of like an altar.

Arto Saari: In a skateboarder’s eyes, it’s an unimaginable — unimaginable — spot, and it has numerous historical past. So far as individuals who don’t skate, they most likely wouldn’t look twice at strolling by. They’re not taking a look at how clean the concrete is, how completely the angle of the rail is and how much metal it’s. Has it been skated? Has it not? Does it grind good? Or is it gonna stick?

Dashawn Jordan: I might describe it as a 16 stair. It’s a kind of spots that’s a staple in Los Angeles skateboarding. You would be not even a skateboarder and about Hollywood or know that folks have skated there or know — in some kind of manner, form or type — what that spot is. That prime college has a historical past to it — it’s proper there, the mecca of Hollywood. The spot simply holds a lot weight, and it’s continued to be talked about for years. It’s undoubtedly a bit of historical past.

Geoff Rowley: The primary time I noticed Hollywood Excessive was on the duvet of Slap journal. It was Pat Duffy doing a 180 nosegrind down the rail that appeared prefer it was so steep that you simply shouldn’t be doing that trick down it. This was within the early ’90s. [Duffy appeared on the cover of the February 1993 issue of Slap.] And I moved to the US in ’94. After I began to skate every kind of rails and massive gaps and harbors, I used to be on the lookout for each little bit of terrain to only annihilate and go after. I keep in mind that photograph of Pat and going, “Why have I by no means seen that spot once more? Why have I by no means seen that spot anyplace? Like, It appears prefer it’s in California. The place is it?”

Atiba Jefferson: You concentrate on that Duffy cowl — I imply, I used to be in highschool. It was type of a kind of issues that grew to become [something] in a single day. Like, wait, that’s that spot? That spot, to me a minimum of, was type of this in a single day success of the usual of what massive skateboarding was, whether or not it was by way of stairs or by way of the handrail.

Jamie Thomas, 48, skilled skateboarder, proprietor of Zero Skateboards, and X Video games gold medalist: I remembered seeing the photograph. And I used to be like, “How’s that potential? How might you 180 fakie nosegrind?” He undoubtedly had an incredible capability — he was a pioneer of recent rail skating. He had an incredible perspective to have the ability to attempt issues that beforehand weren’t potential.

Geoff Rowley: It’s Pat Duffy’s fault that everyone skates Hollywood Excessive. As a result of he was the primary to step as much as it.

Beagle: The primary time seeing it was when Jamie Thomas did the again[side] lip[slide] on the Hollywood Excessive 16. I feel that was 1999. Again at the moment, again lip is like, “Wow, what else are you able to probably do on that rail? Prefer to beat a again lip?”

Mike “Lizard King” Plumb, 39, skilled skateboarder: I used to be similar to, “Holy s—! This dude is subsequent degree!”

Paul Rodriguez: I bear in mind all of us simply freaking out about it. And me not realizing the place that was. I used to be 14 when that video got here out. You realize, I’ve a very unhealthy sense of course. I had no concept that [place] was known as Hollywood. At some point, I neglect who I used to be with, I don’t know if I used to be with my mother or my associates. No matter. We’re simply driving. And we drove proper by Hollywood Excessive. I’m taking a look at it: “Oh my God. That’s the Jamie Thomas [spot]. Oh my God. It’s proper right here. I can’t consider it’s right here. Wow!” And that. That was my first time realizing, “Oh, s—! That’s the spot. Proper?”

Jamie Thomas: Somebody as soon as requested me: “What’s the most effective feeling you’ve ever felt using a skateboard?” And I’m like, there are a few methods I’ve completed in my life the place I simply felt like they got here from heaven. [Where] I used to be making an attempt it after which abruptly I used to be using away. There’s this euphoric feeling of using away from a trick that you simply don’t even know the way it occurred. Anyway, this was a kind of methods.

Erik Ellington: Joke — Jim [Greco] and I have been on that session. Jamie went there to bottom lipslide the 16. He tried it for most likely about an hour whereas me and Jim have been sitting there like, “OK, you able to go to the subsequent spot?” After which went throughout the road to Kenny Rogers Roasters. It was was throughout the road earlier than the Mel’s Drive-In. Means earlier than all the event and stuff. We ate a full plate of meals, sitting there, watching him maintain making an attempt it. Jamie tried it for most likely 2 1/2 hours. It bought to the purpose the place it was getting simply dusky. Within the footage, you see it’s getting darkish. We went again over there, and we spent one other half hour, 45 minutes. In order that was one of the crucial intense issues I had witnessed on [the spot].

Jamie Thomas: I simply had this imaginative and prescient of doing it. I’m like, “I’m going to do it till I make it, or till I significantly die. I’m going to do it it doesn’t matter what.” I had by no means actually caught very many again lips on a rail that massive. And I simply bought right into a rhythm of sliding on, however by no means placing it down. It began getting darkish. I couldn’t even see the rail anymore. The L.A. smog was so unhealthy that the bottom was type of blackish. And I had a runway the place I had been making an attempt it for an hour or two. And I simply adopted the trail. I might see when the steps got here and I simply ollied, guessing the place the rail was. However I’ve completed so many who I used to be like, “I’m not going to cease. I’m not going to cease till I make it or till I clip.”

I used to be making an attempt it time and again and time and again and over. And I knew it was so darkish that I had a couple of extra tries. After which I put it down and I used to be using away. And I didn’t even know I used to be using away till I went over the little steel triangle factor that the gate rides on. I hopped over that. And that’s once I awoke and was like, “Holy cow. I’m using away. That is the most effective factor ever. I fought for this trick. And I’ve dreamed about it. And now I’m using away from it.”

Geoff Rowley: The bottom lipslide that Jamie did was a turning level.

Beagle: Andrew Reynolds’ varial heelflip down the 16 — I feel it was in 2010 — was simply such an enormous leap. It’s such an enormous deal. That’s one in every of my private favorites there.

Dashawn Jordan: Reynolds killed that spot. So clear and exact. He made it undoubtedly seem like it wasn’t a 16 stair.

Paul Rodriguez: I really like the way in which Reynolds jumps down stairs. So fluid and swish. My favourite factor to see.

Geoff Rowley: You don’t need to look very onerous to see an image of Andrew Reynolds performing some ridiculous flip trick down the 16 stair — the varial heelflip. And then you definately go there, and also you see that it’s manner over your top. Any regular human acknowledges that leaping off 15-foot partitions all day lengthy, and flipping and spinning your boards, is loopy stuff. And that’s what skate boarders do.

Andrew Reynolds, 44, proskateboarder and proprietor of Baker Skateboards, Thrasher’s skater of the yr in 1998: Erik Ellington, Jim Greco and I used to reside throughout the road, so we’d hang around on the entrance a part of the varsity and skate with the children. There’s some small stairs and ledges on that facet. To me, I simply preferred that it was near my home and we might all skate the entrance and generally get sparked sufficient to go get a clip on the 12 or 16, and nonetheless be a mile from house.

Erik Ellington: A few of the issues which might be my favorites might not have been the most effective methods which have been completed. Simply because it was so impactful to me: Chad Muska nostril sliding it and crooked grinding it. Dustin [Dollin]’s kickflip crooked grind on the 12. On the time, doing one thing that technical down a 12 stair was simply completely loopy. I filmed Arto’s change frontside boardslide from the highest. On the time, that was simply so unprecedented. After which Dustin’s blunt slide, as a result of he had simply come off of knee surgical procedure. Jamie Thomas’ bottom lipslide the 16.

Arto Saari: The strongest reminiscence that involves thoughts might be Daniel Harold Sturt’s photograph of Jamie Thomas doing a again lip. That picture is imprinted in my head.

Sean Malto, 33, skilled skateboarder, Road League gold medalist and the recipient of Transworld Skateboarding’s rookie of the yr award in 2009: One in all my favourite methods proper now could be Jamie’s fakie 5-0. It’s a easy trick that’s scary as hell.

Patrick Praman: [Jamie] Foy’s fakie 5-0. Nollie-ing is one factor, however popping fakie is so courageous. Zion’s half-cab, again Smith is like, That’s not a rail you do this on that.

Jamie Foy: After I first moved to California, I did a 5-0 on the 12. Going into my skate profession, I used to be like, “If and once I go professional, I wish to have a fakie 5-0 that’s excellent [compared to] all my different fakie 5-0s.” So what popped into my head was I wish to convey it to the 16.

The 12 is tall and petite. And the 16 is type of lengthy and mellow. It makes an enormous distinction. Whenever you get to the 16, you may’t actually simply leap to the underside of that factor anymore. You gotta simply ship it and be prepared for what’s to come back. That’s what’s cool about it, you’re up there on the high, able to attempt a trick. Like, “No matter I’m gonna attempt proper now could be gonna be like, , attempt to be as much as par with what I’ve seen previously.”

Zion Wright: The lead-up to me going to attempt it, I had a dream about it. Like, “I’m gonna go attempt Hollywood.” After I had the dream, it was extra so on how I did it. And I did it with my foot coming off of the board. And actually the way in which I did it, my toe was type of hanging off after which it adjusted as I landed good. It was like I had the imaginative and prescient and had the dream about that. We hit Chick-fil-A after.

Jamie Thomas: A lot loopy stuff has gone down on the rail. Just like the Yuto trick — nollie 270, change again lip. All that stuff is so heavy. It’s actually mind-boggling. All of the Jamie Foy methods. Skateboarding has gone nuts.

You realize, one in every of my favourite methods, although, was Chris Haslam’s kickflip again Smith on the 12. And he flips proper into the rail on the high. And it’s probably the most lovely again Smith after kickflipping in. I simply remembered being completely shocked at how good he did that. It was phenomenal. He did it so, so, so good. It’s most likely the the most effective kickflip Smith’s ever completed. I bear in mind looking at it for an extreme period of time and being completely blown away.

Chris Haslam, 41, skilled skateboarder, recipient of Transworld Skateboarding’s reader’s alternative award in 2005, sponsored by Brainchild Skateboards: I used to be dwelling on Lanewood. We have been proper there each single day. I used to be doing that trick at best-trick contests. I used to be doing that so much again then. I’m not an enormous rail man. So my coronary heart was in my throat. It took me about half-hour of regularly rolling as much as shut my mind off so I might commit. I used to be so nervous.

It was mellow that day. Often, I don’t need anyone watching or an enormous crew of dudes skating — I don’t like all of that stuff. However I used to be so targeted; I knew that I needed to get that. It was such an enormous alternative for me. I wished to have one thing that will impress folks, actually.

Jamie Thomas: He did it nearly as good as you can do this trick on something. Such as you couldn’t have completed it higher on a flat bar.

Dashawn Jordan: I might say Lizard King entrance nostril. That was type of loopy. I consider it was a cowl. He had the headphones on. Entrance nostril is such a scary trick down a rail in a 16 row. I simply bear in mind being like, “Whoa! He entrance nosed that!” All of the homies are there within the background beneath the little shaded space. It was so sick. It’s a lot stuff that’s been completed. Derrick Wilson, nollie heel. Nyjah [Huston]’s methods. However it was undoubtedly the entrance nostril for me.

Lizard King: I all the time wished to skate it. And I all the time wished to entrance nostril it. However it took me a while to mentally put together myself for what the hell was happening. Then in the future, somebody was speaking s— to me. And I used to be similar to, “F— it, at the moment is the day. I’m going there.”

I used to be dwelling on the ground in [my friend’s] house. I arrange a brand new deck. I sat in his yard and simply did pretend entrance noses onto this sofa that he had in his yard for a few hours straight. Having a beer, hanging out and getting the movement down in my head. Who is aware of what I used to be doing.

Then we went there. I had by no means skated it. I’d ollied the steps a pair occasions. However I’d by no means skated the rail. And after we bought there, I used to be mentally making an attempt to get myself to only break the ice. After which I entrance boarded it first attempt. And I used to be like, “Holy s—, dude. I feel I can do that.” I skated the 12 for a second, performing some entrance boards on it. And I used to be similar to, “Dude, what? I really feel good. I’m going to show round. And I’m going to entrance board the f— 16 proper now.” After which once I popped, and I slid down, and I rolled away, I used to be similar to, “Dude, it’s on!” Had I caught or had one thing bizarre occurred, who is aware of how the day would have turned out. However because it simply labored good, it clicked.

Jamie Foy: That was one in every of my first strong recollections of understanding what the rail was. Actually it’s one in every of my favourite methods that has gone down on Hollywood. The best way he did that one was so good.

Atiba Jefferson: Rowley, for positive. His entrance board [slide]. Arto’s change entrance board. To me, that was so forward of its time. And so insane. That’s simply loopy. Even nonetheless to this present day. That trick is wild. Jamie Thomas, Andrew’s lipslide — these are simply, to me, iconic. Then you definately clearly have Nyjah. That’s the factor about that spot. You’ll be able to’t actually simply decide one second, as a result of there’s so many nice ones.

Zion Wright: Dwrexx [Derrick Wilson] — nollie heel. TJ rogers, change entrance three, man.

Sean Malto: It was my first journey to Los Angeles to skate. We drove from Kansas Metropolis throughout the winter. I feel I used to be 13 or 14. We skated it at evening — we had a generator to mild up the 12 and the 16 on the identical time. I mentioned “F— it, I’m going to again Smith the 12, really feel good after which attempt the 16.” I feel I again Smithed the 16 second attempt.

Dashawn Jordan: My first reminiscence was — I wish to say I wasn’t totally dwelling right here but. And I used to be with my buddy, Christian. We might bus all over the place to skate. I consider we have been in Hollywood for one thing, simply skating by, and he was like, “Yo, that’s Hollywood Excessive proper there. You realize, all people be skating that and getting construction there.” So we went as much as the highest of the steps and type of checked out it. It was at evening. That was slightly look. Like, “Whoa, that is loopy.” I had no intention and plan on skating that factor. After which I went there in a while and that was, effectively, my first advert in Thrasher for Grizzly Skating. The 12 stair. I used to be perhaps like 17.

Geoff Rowley: My finest story is that I confirmed up, and [Andrew] Reynolds had come to do a trick. I’d gone to movie Arto [Saari] do a trick. And P-Rod [Paul Rodriguez] confirmed up unannounced to movie a trick as effectively. I used to be filming. P-Rod made the change frontside heelflip. That was his first Fourstar advert. Reynolds made the fakie flip down the 12, sporting a black swimsuit with a black tie and a white shirt. And Arto virtually made his trick. I feel he was making an attempt varial heel or change frontside flip. And he didn’t make it. That was my finest reminiscence: Exhibiting up and simply seeing a gaggle — I imply, Paul’s the most effective skaters that ever lived, and so is Andrew — all planning on getting buck wild. That’s the type of stuff I reside for. That’s my finest reminiscence and favourite reminiscence of Hollywood Excessive.

Paul Rodriguez: I don’t bear in mind it tremendous completely. However I bear in mind being there. I bear in mind Rowley was filming and I used to be tripping. Arto was there. Reynolds was there. I’m new on the scene at that time. I’m not used to being round these guys. I’m impressed. Like, “I wish to take part. I wish to be concerned.” I’m hyped. The boss [Andrew Reynolds] bought the fakie flip all buttery. After which I wished to maintain skating.

It’s loopy how lengthy, earlier than the dominance of the web, you can sit in your footage. Like stack clips. And the way lengthy folks would work on video components.

I really feel like Hollywood Excessive is a kind of uncommon spots, the place it’s virtually just like the early guys laid that basis, after which it virtually grew to become a ceremony of passage. For those who bought to clip there, you’re now a part of that spot’s historical past. It’s a declare to fame. If anyone does a trick there, it’s observed. It’s remembered. For positive.

Arto Saari: For those who skate it, get a trick on it, it places you on a sure degree.

Patrick Praman: I attempted to skate it years in the past. And I bought smoked on it. And I type of wrote the rail off in my head. Like, “OK, I don’t must skate this factor.” Then I went again and I bear in mind feeling actually good on the time. It was type of a now-or-never factor. It occurred so quick. As soon as it was completed, it was a very, actually good feeling. To be sincere, it was extra of a aid than an enjoyment. I had numerous associates that have been there that had numerous confidence in me. And so they have been considering it was gonna be actually quick, like perhaps 4 or 5 tries. And it took so lengthy. I used to be skating for an hour plus. It was gnarly for positive.

Ryan Sheckler, 32, skilled skateboarder, entrepreneur, actor and proprietor of Sandlot Occasions skateboards, star of the MTV-produced present “Lifetime of Ryan”: We all the time used to remain on the Roosevelt Resort after we can be in L.A. We might test into the resort, seize our boards after which simply go to Hollywood simply to see who was skating it. As a result of there’s just about all the time somebody skating Hollywood. That was my massive draw to it. I might get there and begin fascinated about a trick after which abruptly, folks would present up or folks would drive by honking their horn, cheering you on. Due to the situation, well-known folks drive by. There are such a lot of clips of random well-known folks stopping and watching folks skate it as a result of it’s well-known in Hollywood.

Paul Rodriguez: Skate spots are virtually like well-known folks to me. After I was a child, seeing Hollywood Excessive once I was driving by bought me simply as excited as if I have been to see Michael Jordan strolling down the road.

Beagle: I feel Hollywood enjoys it. I feel it brings vacationers and vacationers to the highschool. One of many first occasions filming there, we have been filming for “Baker 2G,” which got here out in 2000. We have been simply at a stoplight proper subsequent to the 12. And I noticed a drug deal go unhealthy between two guys. One man was type of choking the opposite man. And the man lastly bought free and ran down the road, and the man that was choking him, ran in a bush and grabbed a skateboard after which ran down the road chasing him with a skateboard. And I used to be so excited that [one of them] had a skateboard randomly. It was good to be in the opener of the Baker 2G video. There’s all the time numerous medication and vacationers. It’s very hijinks.

Atiba Jefferson: That’s one thing that I say is absolutely one thing folks don’t notice. There are such a lot of distractions. Each time I’m there, I’m like, “This place is so hectic.”

As day turns to nighttime at Hollywood Excessive, a fair larger crowd — together with Nyjah Huston, middle — gathers for Domo Walker.

(Sam Muller / For The Occasions)

Paul Rodriguez: Persons are all the time honking at you. Persons are all the time stopping on the sidewalk. The crowds construct up. However that’s all a part of the attract.

Andrew Reynolds: Even when nothing would occur, it was nonetheless enjoyable as a result of it’s tremendous energetic proper there. Whenever you drive by, it’s enjoyable to drag over and watch and yell out “get it!”

Dashawn Jordan: In a manner, it type of hypes you up. Folks simply cease for you. If there’s an excessive amount of happening — like [people] asking questions and type of being obnoxious — then that turns into a factor. However apart from that, it’s motivation to get it.

Generally, stomping a trick is simpler mentioned than completed. Right here, Domo Walker is set to land what he envisioned.

(Sam Muller / For The Occasions)

Jamie Foy: Anytime you go to Hollywood, it’s undoubtedly like, “Yeah, pull up! Come watch.” Large squad and it accumulates much more, as a result of folks strolling down the facet of the road simply begin watching and begin speaking. Like, “Whoa, what are you doing?”

Zion Wright: That’s the contagious half about skateboarding. You’re all the time going to get juiced and have that affect from somebody who impacts you to go and do what you wish to do.

Beagle: One of many proving grounds for all of the skaters arising is to check their new, by no means been completed methods to old-school methods. That’s how one can inform this individual is stepping it up. I feel it’s important to skateboarding for those that like to huck it.

“So far as the way in which the development of skating goes, there’s going to all the time be somebody itching and eager to recover from there to place one thing gnarly down,” says Zion Wright. That’s precisely what Domo Walker’s epic session is all about.

(Sam Muller / For The Occasions)

Zion Wright: So far as the way in which the development of skating goes, there’s going to all the time be somebody itching and eager to recover from there to place one thing gnarly down.

Jamie Foy: You simply attempt to go there and depart your identify on the spot with no matter trick you’d love to do — if it hasn’t been completed but.

Dashawn Jordan: Folks wish to be in that e book of with the ability to get a trick there, what I imply. They’re like, “I’m making an attempt to be part of one of these factor.”

The celebration at Hollywood Excessive is all the time candy.

(Sam Muller / For The Occasions)

Jamie Thomas: I imply, tons of stuff has occurred now. Skateboarding has modified endlessly with Instagram and YouTube. We will by no means be impressed as a lot as we have been if you have been getting smoke indicators annually. You waited on all the pieces so lengthy, and the anticipation made it so nice if you bought it.

However it’s simply wild what’s bodily potential. If somebody would have mentioned, the day I used to be again lipping it, that somebody’s going to come back right here and do a nollie 270 change again lip I wouldn’t even know what to say. Like, how are you telling me that’s actual?

Geoff Rowley: It’s knowledgeable customary that has been effectively documented. The methods which have gone down at that spot have been documented from the fundamentals during to the type of methods that Nyjah Huston and Dashawn Jordan and people guys have completed on it. Just like the back-to-back methods — it units the usual. And I feel it’s good to have these icons in something that you simply do, so we all know the distinction between a professional degree and an newbie. I might say that to step as much as Hollywood Excessive — and to do it in a manner that numerous the highest professionals have completed, very nonchalantly — takes a certain quantity of degree of talent.

(Sam Muller/For The Occasions)

Beagle: It evolves a lot. Like, Andrew Reynolds being not solely the primary individual to kickflip the 16, but in addition lipslide the rail. Now lipslide is only a warm-up to youngsters. And persons are doing half cab to bottom Smith grinds. It helps make the evolution of skateboarding so clear.

Atiba Jefferson: Every little thing all the time type of progresses. That’s what I feel is so wild about it. It’s the longevity. There actually isn’t something like Hollywood Excessive. L.A. has numerous iconic spots. However Hollywood Excessive, to me, continues to be the chief of “Oh, s—!” Like L.A. Excessive or all these different faculties — Lockwood. You’re like, “Rattling, that’s so dope.” However [at] Hollywood Excessive you’re like, “Holy f—!” It’s Evel Knievel kind s—. For those who’re a professional skater and it’s essential cease the world of skateboarding, you go there and do one thing. You wish to get observed? You go there and do one thing.

“For those who’re a professional skater and it’s essential cease the world of skateboarding, you go there and do one thing. You wish to get observed? You go there and do one thing,” says Atiba Jefferson.

(Sam Muller / For The Occasions)

Sam Muller is a Los Angeles-based photographer. He’s the founding father of 2001 Journal and his work has appeared in SSENSE, Thrasher Journal, 032c and extra.

Extra reporting by Elliott Wright.