Chet Childress

The wonderful thing about skateboarding is the fact that everyone comes at it with their own style and recipe. Actually for most of us there is no recipe, we just charge it and go for whatever is in our heads. Chet Childress is like a top chef in this game, coming at you with all different types of herbs and spices and the kitchen would most definitely have a huge fire that seems like it’s about to turn into an all city blaze but somehow he keeps it together and presents you with some amazing food to feast on. We’ve all been given a set of eyes in which we view the world differently from everyone else, while some chase the paycheck at the end of the day most of us are seeking fulfillment through travel and experience. Chet’s been all over the world and hopefully his words will saturate your life with some of what you may be missing…

So from what I know you grew up in North Carolina, what was that like and how do you think these country woods and Southern living affected your current lifestyle?
Well that’s a hard question. When I lived in NC, growing up thats all you really know. You dont know what’s out there for you to see. I was lucky enough to grow up by the beach and it gave me surf and skate culture to be part of as a kid. It also made me a bit tougher because we were far from California and not handed the golden ticket into skateboarding. All we knew was what we saw right in front of our eyes. I love North Carolina to death, I love my friends and family too but I did my time there. I carried the torch for years man. The road and traveling just transformed my soul an made me who I am now. I’m a completely different person now at the age of 34. I feel educated from the streets , I know whats on the other side and makes me motivated. That side could be East or West, North or South but I’m not trying to settle down until I’m dead…..

Disaster Smasher – Sequence by Jon Humphries

What’s your best Skate Barn experience? Do you feel places like this are kinda diamonds in the rough in the sense that they provide complete freedom and comfort for those who choose to express themselves in nonconformist ways?
The SkateBarn is the shit. The best thing about that place is Jimmy Ellington. He has so much soul and passion thrown at that barn. He made me feel at home everyday I skated there. He gave us hope when Wilmingtons skate scene was shot. He lets us drink beer, smoke weed and indulge in individuality away from the main stream on a dirt road in the cuts of Hampstead. He will always be a hero and roll model to me. If your reading this Jimmy, I give you the highest honors my friend…thank you…….thank you for giving it 100 percent. Thank you for taking on a challenge……you kids out there dont even know how much hes put on the line for that skatespot…..

What’s up with the tent living? I remember you and a photographer hit the road one time to just camp out and skate, how did that go?
Dude I’ve beeen camping around the world and skateboarding the last 10 years of my life. 1 trip? How about 100 trips. Spain, New Zealand, Australia, France, all over the cracker ass America, Mexico, etc. My tents worth a million dollars to me fool. It’s touched to many different time zones. I mean this is how we do it. Sometimes you need to wake up on a beach or whatever wearing the same clothes for weeks, no shower and a giant list of experiences. I wouldn’t be a pro skateboarder if I would have stayed at home and not faced challenges. It’s what fucking drives my soul. It’s what make me fucking crazy. When I’m stuck at home for months I realise that I have a disease. It’s called the road and adventure.

Ever hopped freight trains?
No but its on my list….

Where you currently living and how is that treating ya?
I’m living in Portland, Oregon and I love it. It’s got the youth culture that I need to be surrounded by.

What’s the single best thing about skateboarding in your eyes?
The act of adventure when you find that sick ass spot. That one spot that you and your friends are snaking each other and are turned back into children… thats all I’ve been doing the last 15 years. Traveling like a pirate in search of gold… to get that clip or photo to make people want to rip… make people use there imaginations….

Is there anything in skateboarding you wish you could destroy? Is there anything you wish you could spread more of?
I dont beleive in structure, I hate message boards, I hate the justice system, Southern Baptist gross me out, conformed souls of box culture give me the creeps and people that take things so serious want to make me jump off a 100 story building.. I’ve spent years breaking rules, being drunk and making bad decisions. But I truly believe that it makes you smarter in the end…..skateboarding is the shit. Hands down. It gave me an education that nobody could afford. If i can give you any word of wisdom go for it and dont look back….follow your dreams . Dont listen to that one person if they don’t make sense to you. Shit dont listen me if I dont make any sense. I’m just a kid who scratched a lottery ticket that worked.

What type of music are ya jamming out to these days?
I’m older now. I listen to everything … jazz, soul, rap, reggae and fucking rock n roll….

How old are ya, what companies got ya back and what’s some words for the kids who are just stepping onto a skateboard for the first time?
I’m old enough to know whats right and wrong and young enough to fuck up in a second…..

Basically Nike skateboarding, Black Label, OJ 3, Independent trucks and hardware. Support Skate Barn, Double Wide, Endless Grind and Shrunken Head skate shop. Brixton and Altamont give me free fashion and keep me clothed…. I’m one lucky bitch….. Luda Crooks

Alley Oop Wallride – Sequence by Rhino

Top tens from Luda Crooks
1. Skateboarding
2. Drawing on walls.
3. Writing words (poetry) that would make a womans panties wet.
3. Drinking cofffee, boooze and water.
4. Pushing down the street and fucking with traffic.
5. Riding my bicycle miles to think. Therapy I call it. Sometimes the green stuff helps.
6. I fucking hate competition. You can have first and last place for all I care.
7. Thinking outside the box.
8. Spooning with woman. Ummmmmmm…what it does for a mans soul.
9. Not driving. I’m into walking, skating, biking or catching a ride. It gives me time to day dream.
10. Individuality. Man on Wire, Bob Dylan, Joe Strummer, The Pogues, Mark Gonzales, Basquiat, John Coltrane.

I could go on for days…

Luda Crooks has left the screen……