When you talk about the OG legends of skateboarding, you have to talk about Olson. He was one of the 1st skaters to introduce punk rock into the mix as well as interject a true sense of style and rock & roll attitude long before it became the norm. Just think, where would the world of skateboarding be without Olson’s trademark checkerboard motif?
Olson has parlayed his 35+ year skate hustle in to a burgeoning fine art career, and is in NY to participate in an epic surf art show titled Swell. Olson, a frequent visitor to NYC since the 80’s, was one of skateboarding’s first true champs. He won the Hester Cup way back in 1978, and was named Skater of the Year that season. Steve is the proud father of prodigy Alex Olson, pro skater and all around ripper. Alex still gets it in, having recently been spotted 50’ing the over vert hang at Chelsea Skatepark, and is often seen shredding the Supreme bowl in LA.
Not one to be pigeonholed, Steve recently lent his talents as an actor to the epically funny film, “Machotaildrop,” where he brilliantly plays a creepy skate shop owner. It was a pleasure hanging with Olson and having him come through. Stay tuned, I’ll be shooting him up at the skatepark in the next few days!
Here’s the invite for the Swell show, go check it out:
Vintage Olson
Recent Olson:
Some Olson links:
http://www.outlookskates.com/CollectionOLSON.htm
http://skateboardermag.com/skateboarder-news-features/magazine/question-authority-steve-olson/
http://freedomfighterskateboards.wordpress.com/2009/08/31/steve-olson-art-show/
MachoTaildrop the film
http://www.machotaildrop.com/
Steve’s Art
http://www.lushlifenewyorkcity.com/blog/?p=1340