Kingpin Magazine

American Eric Koston is a true skateboarding legend, and a hero for many of today’s younger skaters. Since turning pro in 1992, he has twice won the Tampa Pro street title (in 2002 and 2007) and is a six-time Summer X Games medalist in the Park, Street and Best Trick categories, all the time being a constant innovator every step of the way as modern street skating has evolved into its current shape.

Despite never seeming to take any of it particularly seriously, he remains unfadeable in the cut-throat contest arena as well as on a raw street level. He’s also influential off the board, co-founding website The Berrics with Steve Berra, and clothing brand Fourstar with Guy Mariano, as well as having a passion for shoe design which has created instant classics with Es, Lakai and Nike.

Born in the Thai capital Bangkok on 29th April 1975, Eric was raised in San Bernardino, California and now calls Los Angeles home. He started skating at the age of 11, and, after meeting Eddie Elguera at a skate camp in Michigan, he secured his first sponsorship deal in 1991. By the following year, he was starring in the H-Street film Next Generation.

Currently sponsored by Nike SB, Girl Skateboards, Fourstar, Independent, Spitfire, Oakley, Skullcandy, Jessup Griptape and Diamond, Eric has had an unmatched impact on street skating. His technical skill and willingness to try out new tricks in competitions still makes him the one to watch, and he remains one of the most humble and down-to-earth guys around.