Former professional skateboarder and now tattoo artist Chris Senn is still saying exactly what’s on his mind.
The 1995 Skater of the Year and three-time X Games world champion has never been one to play it safe when it comes to his opinions, and lately he’s had a lot to say about the current state of skateboarding.
This time, he’s calling out older pros, big corporations, and anyone helping turn skateboarding into something he barely recognizes.
Not long ago, Senn sparked a bunch of conversation after saying that if you’re over 35, you’re not really a pro skater anymore and that people should stop pretending otherwise. It ruffled feathers. Some people thought he was being harsh. Others thought he had a point. Either way, he came back with more, breaking it all down in a way that’s hard to ignore.
The 52-year-old explained that there’s a big difference between being good at skating and actually performing at a professional level. He said contests, street, vert, all of it has gotten harder and faster. The bar is higher now. He even called himself washed up and said it’s fine to admit when your time as a top-level skater is done. But his real issue isn’t about age. It’s about honesty and who’s running things behind the scenes.
Senn believes that some older pros are staying in the spotlight by teaming up with companies that have nothing to do with skateboarding. He’s talking about corporate brands that are only interested in money, not the culture. And when skaters let that happen just to hang on to their title, it starts to mess with everything that makes skateboarding real.
He pointed out that it’s not about selling gear or making money. It’s about who you represent and why. He said there are real pros out there, mostly younger, who are out every day pushing themselves and keeping skateboarding alive. And then there are others using their name and legacy to cut deals with companies that don’t actually care about skating.
He’s not coming from a place of bitterness. In fact, he’s being really clear that he’s lucky to have had his time. He even brought up a quote from Jay Adams that meant a lot to him. Jay once told him that sometimes your time in the spotlight is long and sometimes it’s short, but either way you’re lucky to have had a turn. And when that time ends, you should pass the torch with pride, knowing you helped shape skateboarding the way it was meant to be.
Senn thinks that’s the heart of it. He’s not saying older skaters should quit. He’s saying if you’ve had your moment, support the next generation. Be proud of what you’ve done and help others get their shot. Let skating grow the way it’s supposed to, through skaters who actually live it, not through marketing teams and investors.
He ended his post with a little joke about taking appointments for for tattoo shop, but it’s pretty clear that this is something he cares about deeply. He doesn’t want to see skateboarding lose its soul. And honestly, neither do a lot of other people.
Senn has been around long enough to know when something feels off. He’s been through all the changes. He’s seen companies come and go. But one thing he’s always stood by is the idea that skateboarding should belong to skaters. Not to suits. Not to outsiders. Just to the people who live for it.
And that’s all he’s really asking. Keep it real. Keep it skater-owned. And when your time comes to step aside, do it with respect.