Early days and moving to America
Early on, Heroin Skateboards built a cult following thanks to its lo-fi, VHS-era video output and unfiltered approach to skateboarding. Videos like Good Shit (1999), Everything’s Going to Be Alright (2002), and Magic Sticky Hand (2006) cemented its place as a cornerstone of UK skate culture, featuring early team staples like Chris Pulman, Howard Cooke, and Fos himself. These weren’t just edits - they felt more like visual zines, rough around the edges but full of personality and intent.
As the brand gained traction overseas, it eventually made the move to the US under the distribution of Baker Boys, bringing a new wave of riders and broader exposure. The American chapter of Heroin Skateboard's history introduced names like Deer Man of Dark Woods, Daniel Shimizu, Chopper, and Chet Childress—figures who matched the offbeat, creative ethos of the brand. More recent standouts like Tom Day, Zach Riley, Craig Questions, and Gou Miyagi have kept the energy alive, blending unconventional style with unpredictable spot choices.
Heroin Skateboard’s 2013 full-length video, Video Nasty, marked a new high point, showcasing the updated team with a nod to its VHS roots. It served as both a time capsule and a relaunch, connecting the old with the new. Later edits like Bath Salts and Magic Sticky Hand 2 carried on the tradition, staying true to the brand’s off-centre appeal while embracing a more international cast.
Breaking the mould with the creation of the "Egg" decks
Not only was Heroin Skateboards carving its own, original path in team selection, video editing and general ethos. In 2016, Daniel Shimizu asked Fos if he would be down to create a 'football' shaped deck, similar to what would be skated by some in the '90s. Fos, not entirely keen on the idea, begrudgingly created this deck, taking dimensions from the 'football' shapes that had been left in the past. At the time, Fos was a fan of big, fat noses on decks and had a firm belief that popsicle decks were the best option for tricks such as blunt and tail slides. Additionally, Fos has never been a fan of football, be it American or British, so he decided to rename the 'football' shape to 'egg', and unknowingly created the first rendition of the now famous Egg graphic. Out of curiosity, Fos set up one of the new Shimizu decks, and to no surprise to him, he hated it. However, after other riders tried the board and really enjoyed it, Fos decided to experiment with new shapes and dimensions of egg-shaped decks, and after some adjustments to wheelbase and width, Fos found a shape that worked. Since then, the love for egg-shaped decks has only grown, and Heroin Skateboards has been at the forefront of it all. So much so, that not only did Fos do Franky Villani's first pro graphic for Primitive Skateboards, he even let Primitive use Heroin Skateboard's 9.125” egg mould! Basically, if you want an egg-shaped board nowadays, Heroin is the place to go.
Even after relocating to Los Angeles, Fos has kept the Heroin Skateboard identity intact - hand-drawing the graphics, producing artwork for boards and ads, and continuing to shape the brand as an extension of his personal tastes. It’s skateboarding seen through a punk lens: weird, loose, and stubbornly independent. Whether it's a griptape scribble or an unexpected trick at a forgotten spot, Heroin Skateboard's still doing exactly what it set out to do - offering a home for skaters that don’t quite fit anywhere else.
Emerica FAQ's
Who owns Heroin Skateboards?
The legend that is Mark 'Fos' Foster! Even if you don't know the name, you will have seen his graphics for brands such as Baker, Altamont, Element and many, many other brands.
What is the widest Heroin skateboard?
Currently, the widest deck in Heroin Skateboard's catalogue is 13”, although that may get even bigger in the future!
Why are they called Heroin Skateboards?
The name Heroin Skateboards stems from the addictive nature of skateboarding itself. Similar to those addicted to hard drugs, skateboarders cannot get enough of the feeling skateboarding emits once they start. There is no correlation between Heroin Skateboards and drug consumption, Fos, the owner of the brand has proudly never taken drink or drugs and does not encourage such behaviours at all.
Is Heroin Skateboards a British company?
Heroin Skateboards first started in the UK but transitioned over to the US, through Baker Boys distribution in 2011.
