Author's Note: This is a reprint of an interview that I conducted with Gary Holl several years ago. It was initially published on Yahoo! Sports but they no longer own the rights to the article.
Over the course of his lifetime skater Gary Holl has held many titles; World Freestyle Skateboard Association California State Champion, 360 World Champion, World Freestyle Champion in Vancouver, husband, father, friend, entrepreneur and advocate.
He is also the founder of Board Rescue, a non-profit that helps provide skateboarding hard goods to organizations that work with low-income, at-risk youth. This week I was able to catch up with Gary to conduct an in-depth interview on his organization, his career and what he believes the future of skateboarding to hold.
Here’s a look at what he had to say:
Gonzalez: Please share with us how Board Rescue got started.
Holl: Skateboarding is so important to me. Skateboarding has taught me many things. Through skateboarding I have been introduced to many people that influenced me both personally and professionally. And, I have traveled too. I wanted to give back what skateboarding has given to me.
Back in late 2007 I came up with a plan to launch Board Rescue. I needed to find a few friends that could join me in forming a non-profit organization and I knew could each bring unique talents that would help form a strong team.
Initially I asked Judi Oyama and Andrew Huberman to join me. We then filed to become a Federal and State recognized non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation. We recently added Chris Adams to the team. Now we have a complete, focused management team that is dedicated to our Mission.
Gonzalez: Has the reaction you have gotten from the skateboarding community been what you expected?
Holl: Having been a part of it for over thirty years it was exactly what I expected. The skateboard community is very aware of many causes, they are giving and supporting of many including Board Rescue. The skateboarding community is incredibly tight. Even when friendly rivalry exists, we support our peers. It is always surprising to non-skateboarding friends that attend events with me, just how much we do look out for, and support each other.
Gonzalez: How many organizations did Board Rescue assist last year?
Holl: Last year we made an impact to hundreds of children across the United States through donations to youth groups, community organizations, and after school programs. This year we have already surpassed what we did the previous year. Our expectation is that we will continue to grow and that each year we will do more than the previous one.
Gonzalez: In your opinion, why is it important to provide sports opportunities to at risk and low-income youth? What benefits does skateboarding provide them that other activities may not?
Holl: We aren't just giving these kids a skateboard; we are giving them an opportunity. An opportunity to improve their health, challenge themselves, and to provide them with an outlet, other then negative ones, that not only will affect them but their communities. The after school skate programs that we support help mentor these kids is essential to building strong communities and ultimately building future leaders.
Gonzalez: How has the recession affected Board Rescue and what are you doing differently, if anything, to counter the effects?
Holl: We continue to grow despite the current economic times. Sure we would love to get more skateboard companies and distribution houses to support our cause. Some have agreed to do so when the economy picks up. For now we have some strong supporters that are willing to support our Mission. Our Mission is to provide skateboards and safety equipment to organizations that work with underprivileged and/or at-risk children.
Gonzalez: What has been the most challenging task you have ever undertaken with the non-profit and how did you approach it?
Holl: I think the initial set up, becoming a Corporation, getting approved for both the Federal and State 501(c)(3) status was a little daunting. Like anything in life, if you take it step by step it isn't so bad.
Gonzalez: Please share with us the details of the upcoming Annual Board Rescue Art Show.
Holl: This will be our second annual Board Rescue Art Show and Fundraiser. We've got a very talented list of artist that will each be submitting a painted skateboard deck. These will be on display at the “Santa Cruz Boardroom” in Santa Cruz California with opening night on September 16th. They will be on display for three weeks after opening night and in parallel they will be on eBay and will be auctioned off with the proceeds going to Board Rescue.
Additional information is and will be posted on our Facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/boardrescue and on our website at http://boardrescue.org. On opening night we will have Board Rescue t-shirts and a few other items for sale and there will be a raffle with some great prizes that have been donated by skateboard companies, the Boardroom and other supporters.
Gonzalez: What other events do you have planned for the balance of the year?
Holl: Board Rescue will be at this year’s 13th Annual Tim Brauch Memorial Contest at Lake Cunningham Regional Skatepark in San Jose California on September 24. Detail will be on our website, Facebook page and on the Skateboard World Cup website.
If anyone would like to support us but cannot make it to our Art Show or to the Tim Brauch contest they can support us by visiting our web site make a donation, just follow the Make a Donation Tab. They can also join us on FaceBook and become a Fan and 'LIKE' us.
Gonzalez: How has the sport changed since you started to immerse yourself in it? Do you think that those changes have added or subtracted from the sport?
Holl: Skateboarding has changed a lot since I started to ride. While the equipment has changed somewhat the level of what’s being done today is very high. Most of what has changed is good. Many top pros make a great living skateboarding. I think it’s just part of the natural progression and growth of skateboarding which brings along both good and bad things.
Gonzalez: Where do you see the sport headed in the next five to years?
Holl: I think the progression of skateboarding will continue. Younger kids are now skating everything, pools, parks and street. Just a short few years ago you had skaters that were great at street skating, but put them in a bowl or pool and they were lost. I think the top pros will be able to skate it all.
Gonzalez: How often do you skateboard and what are some of your favorite skate spots?
Holl: I skateboard four days a week. My favorite skatepark is Lake Cunningham in San Jose. For variety I skate parks all over Northern California including Menlo and Sunnyvale. For freestyle, I just need a flat, smooth piece of concrete.
Gonzalez: What accomplishment are you most proud of and why?
Holl: As a skateboarder, being a World Champion and State Champion and having companies like SK8KINGS, Freestyle Watches, Power Bar, ProDesigned, KHIRO, and PleasureTool bearings continue to support me. As a philanthropist, I am most proud of founding Board Rescue. As a husband, I am most proud of being married for 26 years.
Gonzalez: What other social causes (charities etc.) are you passionate about and why?
Holl: Prior to founding Board Rescue I had done skateboard demos and safety days for YMCAs, public schools, and City Recreation Departments. Now, I'm passionate about Board Rescue. When I founded it I made a conscious decision to do everything I can to make it successful. I recommend everyone finds a cause they are passionate about and that they make a conscious decision to regularly support that cause.
Gonzalez: What person do you most admire and why?
Holl: Related to skateboarding I would say Evel Knievel was an early influence. He had a passion for what he did. He lived to push himself to do what no one else had done before. In some respects that is what skateboarding is to me, something where you push yourself every time you ride, where you take a risk and the reward is when you ride away clean.
Gonzalez: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Holl: I hope to still be skateboarding in 10 years, I hope Board Rescue continues to grow each year so that we can reach more programs and maybe in 10 years we will be supporting requests for equipment outside of the United States.
Gonzalez: If you could only be remembered for one thing what would it be and why?
Holl: As a humble person that was grateful for everyone and everything in my life.
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