His influence went beyond his ability on a skateboard. Much of this was due to Hosoi and his popularity. It became common in the industry to have signature skateboard models with original or odd shapes. The design was revolutionary and influenced a generation of skaters and companies. His signature skateboard was the Hammerhead. For several years contests and earnings were sporadic but Hosoi stuck with it and started his own skateboard company.

All of this happening in his early teenage years.īut just as Hosoi started his rise, skateboarding went through a downturn. He was briefly with Powell Peralta, was a member of the Dogtown and Sims team and had a signature skateboard model with Alva Skates. Hosoi almost immediately began winning contests, dropped out of school and turned pro at age 14. He had grace and ability far beyond his years. Dogtown legends Tony Alva, Jay Adams and Shugo Kubo (link to profiles) saw something special in the kid. His father was the manager of the Marina Del Rey Skateboard Park and Christian, who began skateboarding at age six or seven, spent every spare moment there. How did this happen?Ĭhristian Hosoi was born in 1967 and grew up in California and Hawaii. The spiritual markers were there but it took a long time to see them. He also became addicted to drugs, went to prison and later became a man of God. He traveled the world, made hundreds of thousands of dollars and was skateboarding’s most popular rebel and hit of the party. During his heyday, from the late 1980s to the early 90s, he was the rock star of skateboarding. Christian Hosoi’s life has been filled with what he calls “spiritual markers.” His name was Christian, his nickname was Christ and his most well-known trick was the “Christ Air.” Hosoi, of Huntington Beach, CA., is a professional skateboarder and Associate Pastor of Sanctuary Church.

Hosoi by Christian Hosoi