Many ’80s skateboarders are now born-again Christians

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While browsing Wikipedia yesterday after getting hit by a Bones Brigade flashback, I began to see a pattern in which many ’80s skateboard luminaries had converted or gone back to Christianity. I suppose Christian Hosoi was either fated to accept Jesus as his lord and savior or just become a batshit-crazy Satan worshipper.

Steve Caballero

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Caballero

He was brought up as a Catholic, studied Zen/Taoism for 6 years, and in 2005 returned to a non-denominational Christian church.

Lance Mountain

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lance_Mountain

Mountain is a Christian.[citation needed] He is married to Yvette Loveless and has one son, Lance Ronald Cyril Mountain.

Mark “Gator” Rogowski

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Rogowski

He converted to a strict Evangelical form of Christianity after a severe accident in Germany (he jumped out of a hotel window while drunk and landed on a fence). At the same time, spurred by girlfriend [Brandi] McClain leaving him, Mark began a period of severe alcoholism.

Rogowski said he had considered seeking psychiatric help at the time, but the born-again Christians he was involved with discouraged this.

Rogowski would later go on to beat, rape, and murder the mutual friend who introduced him to Brandi McClain.

Christian Hosoi

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_Hosoi

In June 2004 Hosoi’s sentence was reduced for good behavior and he was released on parole. Hosoi married girlfriend Jennifer Lee. He became a born-again Christian through the urging of his wife and her uncle, Pastor Christopher Swain. He also earned his high school diploma. Hosoi continues to be open about his new-found faith, having become ordained as an associate pastor, and has resumed his skateboarding career.

Fun note: Christian Hosoi has three sons, all of whom sound like their names could be skateboard products — Rhythm Hosoi, Classic Hosoi, and Endless Hosoi.

About the author: Adam Kuban is a one-time foodblogger turned aspiring pizzeria owner — see margotspizza.com. Founder of Slice and A Hamburger Today and founding editor of Serious Eats. He enjoys photography, urban hiking, and naps.