Keith Hollien Signature Series
Let me start out with some history of the Keith Hollien
Signature Series. The concept for my boards is not new. The cut-away
shape that they are based upon has been around for a long time, as we
all know, but my signature series shapes for 2004 are the result of
what began over 25 years ago... I started skateboarding in 1964, started
slaloming in 1976 and I began riding a cutaway shape in 1978 (Thanks
to an article by Henry Hester). In 1979, I met Mark McCree of Radikal
Trucks and he had a cutaway board that was the starting point for my
models. Over the next 8 years we worked on the shape until we were satisfied
with everything. In 1988 Mark made my first Signature Model under the
Static Racing Systems name. The board was wood, flat and very stiff.
It measured 24" x 8". |
| In the 80's I had been working on a couple of different models, but nothing was produced before I retired in 1993. When I came back to racing last year ('03) I found my old model to be too short and I had to come up with something to race with. This is where Gareth Roe came in and agreed to do my series for 2003. In 2004 after many disagreements with Roe, I stopped riding for them and they stopped making my signature series. In the mean time I needed race boards. Barret "Chicken" Deck of Pocket Pistols Skateboards stepped in and made a batch of race boards. In 2005 I started riding for Pocket Pistols Skateboards and Chicken is making my signature series. PPS is making the Keith Hollien Signature Series in wood(Hardcore Series) and foamcore(Superlight Series). All of my boards will be concave. |
Thank you, |
Some specifications for
the Hollien Signature Series:
TS (Tight Slalom) 25" x 8.25" and tapers down
to 7.75". HS (Hybrid Slalom) 27" x 8.5" and tapers down
to 8" . GS (Giant Slalom) 29" x 8.75" and tapers down
to 8.25". SS (Surf Slalom) 31" x 9" and tapers down to 8.5".
- There is also a Mini-TS for kids that is 24" x 8" and tapers .5 inches. - I ride my boards very stiff and they will come that way unless you specify otherwise. |
My
models are intended for SURF STANCE. The major benefit of my shape is
the amount of leverage that the large platform area provides for your
feet. The extra leverage positively effects your ability to apply pressure
directly to the trucks. The main advantage of my version of the cutaway
shape is that it gives the rider increased area for the placement of
their front foot in the curve of the cutaway (behind the front truck).
This helps to initiate turns quicker. The placement of the back foot
on the back wing (in front of the rear truck) helps to give the rear
truck better traction. I ride a Radikal Titanium II "Dragon's Tail"
truck in the rear and a Radikal "Dragon's Claw in the front, and,
with this combination, traction in general is not a problem. But, this
will definitely help to address the traction issues of conventional
trucks. I like my boards very stiff. In slalom, flex can help you, but,
it can also hinder you. I believe that your own energy is what makes
you go fast and a small amount of flex and camber can give you some
energy when turning, but after a certain point, flex can rob your energy.
I'm 6' tall and weigh about 165 lbs., but my boards are riden by people
of all ages, weights and sizes. They are very stiff and concave and
have almost no flex or camber.