Christian Hosoi started skating at five years old. His father, Ivan "Pops" Hosoi became the manager of the Marina Del Ray Skatepark, and Christian quit school and spent his time there where he quickly developed his emerging talent. He turned pro at the age of 14 with Sims Skateboards. He emerged as one of the top competitors of vertical riding with an eventual rivalry developing with Tony Hawk, with contrasting styles in both skateboarding and lifestyles. Hosoi is known for his flair and graceful style, and Hawk for raising the bar with his technical ability and difficult tricks. Hosoi invented the Christ Air and Rocket Air, and was renowned for pulling huge aerials; at one point he was the world record holder. Vertical skateboarding grew in spectator popularity. Major endorsements with Converse, Swatch and Jimmy'Z followed, as well as receiving a pro model wheel, the OJ II Hosoi Rocket through Santa Cruz Speed Wheels. In 1984 he formed his own company, Hosoi Skates. When street skating began to emerge in the mid-to-late 80s, Hosoi won both the vert and street contests at the Lotte Cup contest in Japan in 1989. Today Christian serves as a spokesperson for several companies, continues to work with youth organizations nationwide and is the featured skateboarding celebrity with the AsSALT Extreme Sports Tour.