You might have first come across the Rawtenstall born Mark ‘Fos’ Foster’s distinct artwork back in 1997, when Toy Machine issued a full series of boards designed by Fos after he sent some ideas to Ed Templeton on an A4 piece of paper. The following year, Fos spent four days in a London hospital bed with a severely broken wrist, and during that stay, the lease on his house ran out, his girlfriend left him, and he decided the time was right for him to establish his own company – and with that, Heroin Skateboards was born.

The original line up back in 1998 consisted of Fos, a young Preston dwelling lad by the name of Daniel ‘Snowy’ Kinloch and Stockwell local Rough Mike, though Heroin’s instant popularity in Japan saw the legendary Chopper of the Osaka Daggers quickly joining the squad. From 1998 up until 2012, the company was based primarily in New Cross, South London, and housed all sorts of skateboarding misfits, with the likes of Howard Cooke, Casper Brooker, Ste Roe, Olly Tyreman, Arthur Tubb, Chris Pulman and Jon Monie all putting in various shifts for the Heroin cause over the years.

“One of the first US riders to be announced was Chet Childress, who jumped ship from Black Label to get fully involved with Fos’ expanding troupe of international oddballs”

In 2012, Fos took Heroin Skateboards and relocated full time to LA, giving the team a substantial transatlantic shake-up to reflect the brands new home. One of the first US riders to be announced was Chet Childress, who jumped ship from Black Label to get fully involved with Fos’ expanding troupe of international oddballs, and this ‘Eyeball’ pro deck you see before you is a reissue of one of Chet’s earlier graphics for the company.

This time around though, Chet has got the graphic printed on his own personal favourite 8.5” shape, consisting of a nice big nose, an ever-so-slightly shorter yet still extremely steady tail, both of which complement the hefty 8.5” width perfectly. There’s also plenty of concave at either end too, to help you really feel comfortable and stable as you blast around your local skatepark. If it’s good enough for Chet, chances are it’s good enough for you.

• BIRDHOUSE – BIAS DECK
• RRP: £45
• Width : 8.5″
• Length: 32″
• Wheelbase: 14.2″
• HEROINSKATEBOARDING.COM