From Indiana Roots to LA Streets
Christopher Hiett’s journey from the quiet corners of Evansville, Indiana to the chaos of Los Angeles embodies skateboarding’s eternal promise—escape through creativity. Raised skating at Lamasco Skatepark, Hiett honed his skills in local garages and back alleys before heading west to chase the dream. His early backing came from Killer Skate Park & Shop and a flow spot with Powell-Peralta, which opened the door to LA’s street scene and the attention of industry icons. Once he arrived, his combination of raw talent, individuality, and old-school inspiration quickly earned him a place in the new generation of pros redefining what street skating looks like.
Finding His Style and Sponsors
What makes Hiett stand out isn’t just his skill—it’s his refusal to fit the mold. He’s known for skating non-traditional board shapes, blending 1980s energy with 2020s flow, creating a style that feels both nostalgic and brand new. Powell-Peralta recognized that authenticity early on, welcoming him into their ranks, and Fallen Footwear followed soon after, bringing him along for global tours through Costa Rica, Argentina, Germany, and beyond. His approach—skating as self-expression rather than sport—resonated deeply with fans and fellow pros alike.
The Pro Model and Artistic Collaboration
Hiett’s breakout moment arrived in 2025 when Powell-Peralta released his first pro model: the Christopher Hiett FLIGHT® Deck, featuring a haunting VCJ graphic of a skeleton bursting from a jack-in-the-box. The design took on added meaning when legendary artist Vernon Courtlandt Johnson suffered a heart attack mid-project, transforming the artwork into a raw metaphor for life’s unpredictability. With dimensions of 9.5″ x 31.13″ and a 14.63″ wheelbase, the board’s “out of the box” message perfectly captured Hiett’s ethos—bold, weird, and totally unfiltered. Beyond skating, Hiett has become an important voice for mental health in the skate community. His candid discussion of living with OCD, creative pressure, and burnout on The Nine Club podcast revealed the person behind the clips—a skater balancing passion with self-care. By opening up about his struggles, Hiett broke through the myth of effortless cool and helped normalize the conversation around mental health in skateboarding.
Shaping the Future of Street Skating
Today, Christopher Hiett stands as one of skateboarding’s most creative modern pros—an artist on wheels who bridges generations. His path from Midwestern garages to global tours shows how far authenticity can take you. As he continues dropping parts, touring, and experimenting with shape and style, Hiett proves that progression doesn’t always mean faster, bigger, or cleaner—it means truer. In a world that rewards conformity, he’s skating in the opposite direction, reminding everyone that the best tricks come when you think outside the box.
