Days Of Our Grinds

Life's ebb and flow. The skater's ride is their own, and the line taken is usually unknown until you're suddenly there... and THEN it may be a bust. The past 45+ years Dave's skate lifeline has been fluid and yet tumultuous. His biggest distraction being himself. He's settled now. Still extremely passionate. A master yoga instructor and international traveler. Allowing him to stylishly rip any transition or power hills all over the world.

During the late '70s through the earliest of '80s, Tacoma Washington's "Metal Mark" Holt was a force to be reckoned as one of the best (if not thee best) skaters from the area. Considered the kid to beat in early street and vert contests, his big bag of tricks and effortless style led to numerous wins in both. Now, he finally sits down for a rare one-on-one about what it was to be a top dog in Northwest's early days, dropping out, and how he feels about bringing it on into the NOW.

Steve "Swervo" Betten is an absolute skate soldier. Hailing from Washington State's capitol, he's fought through local ridicule, poverty, even death. Skateboarding (and punk rock) was/is his sword and armor that empowered him to thrash his way through what you'd call an exceptionally radical life. This interview shares intimate stories of his long journey from Northwest skateboarding's sparse beginnings in the early '70s, to what it all means to him now. foto: self-portrait 1989