Courtesy of THREE Magazine's August Issue

Words Ross Colligan Photo Mike Terry

This past July the Sessions skateboard team rolled through Salt Lake City signing posters and other shwag for the kids. Dyson Ramones, Corey Duffel, Don Nguyen, and my favorite skater Chet Childress were with the team. Rarely do some of the greatest pro skateboarders come though Utah with a legendary skateboarder come in tow. Chet tore the Fairmont Skate Park apart. He was doing some of the craziest things I have ever seen on a piece of wood and wheels.

Chet Childress is one of the most amazing skateboarders in the world. Not only has he been skating forever but has been killing it ever since he first started.

I got to sit down with Chet and ask him a few questions. This was pretty much a dream come true.

What are your top 3 favorite skate spots?

Burnside, Washington Street, and Orcas Island.

What are your top 3 favorite bands?

Motorhead, AC/DC and Skynyrd.

Your favorite skateboard graphic?

O.G Mark Gonzales graphics.

3 Favorite beers?

Tecate, Dos Equis and Grolsch.

What do you plan on doing after skateboarding?

Who knows man, I could end up making burgers somewhere or selling hot dogs at a gas station.

You wouldn’t want to work in the skateboard industry?

No way. I would never want to be a team manager or anything.

What do you like most about skateboarding?

It has taken me all over the world. You should see my passport. I have done more in seven years than most people have done in their lives. It’s crazy man.

What do you like most about your artwork? Where do you see the art taking you?

That most of it contains beer cans and that there is a drawing on a t-shirt and some stickers. Anywhere man, that’s why I got into art. There are no boundaries and you can do whatever you want whenever and wherever.

What is your favorite kind of art?

I like a lot of graffiti. You see it everywhere you go. Some of it is sh*#tty and some of it is really good. Like all art. Look at Mark (White) that kid kills. How come this kid doesn’t have a pro model? Graffiti opens the mind. You see some shit that some random person did and it could be one of the greatest pieces of art ever. Like some of the murals in New York. That is some of the best sh*t I have ever seen in my life.

Do you see yourself doing art for skateboards after skateboarding?

Hell no man. I don’t want to work in the skateboard industry. I wouldn’t even want to be a team manager. I have seen all those jobs and I don’t think I would ever want to do it. I would rather just do what I want. I have seen a lot of sh*t in my day and I think that if I did something outside of the skateboard industry I would get a chance to see some things that even I haven’t seen.

Why did you start skateboarding?

Just cause it was something different to do. I just started it to pass the time, then it was something I was stoked on doing everyday. I started out doing the typical riding down the hill sitting down on the board and then eventually started poppin’ little ollies and sh*t.  I miss skateboarding back in the day. It was just nothin’ but fun and no bullshit but it is cool now having sponsors and having them take me all over the world. It opens up my mind a lot more.

If Budweiser and Miller High Life got in a fight who would win? 

Ummm Tecate cause they’re Mexican.

What is your favorite pastime besides skateboarding and art?

Drinking beer with friends. Sometimes I just like to go sit in a bar by myself and drink beer and draw on napkins. I like using my brain a lot.

What would be your ultimate skate trip destination?

That park in the Caymans is pretty sweet. If I  could time travel I would go back and skate some of the old spots that aren’t around anymore like some pools.  Pools are the sh*t.

Who are some of your favorite people to skate with?

Just whoever is around when I’m skating. Mainly just random kids with no sponsors that just go out and kill it because they love it so much. Kids that just get stoked.

What stokes you out most about skateboarding?

Well being a pro skater definitely has its perks. So I would have to say one of them is getting to travel all over the world for free. If I wasn’t sponsored I would never have been able to travel all around like I have been. I also love just cruising around on my skateboard and using my brain to find new spots and try new tricks. I came to this park today (Fairmont Park) and got so stoked because it was something new to me. I just love skating.

Well thanks for sitting down and talking with me today.

Yeah man no worries. Take care.