CHRIS STROPLE: SGV'S CONCRETE WARRIOR AND SKATEBOARD LEGEND

Posted on 18 April 2025
By George Stix
Posted in chrisstrople, sgv, skateboarding
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Chris Strople: Putting Monrovia Skateboarding on the Map

When you talk about the roots of skateboarding in the San Gabriel Valley, the name Chris Strople stands tall like a frontside grind on vert. He wasn’t just one of the first to rip coping with style—he was one of the first to make Monrovia matter in the broader history of Southern California skateboarding. A local legend with global influence, Strople’s legacy is built on skill, soul, and storytelling—and his impact still echoes through every shop, park, and curb from Duarte to Upland.

From Local Hero to Thrasher Icon

Strople’s most immortalized moment came in 1981, when he appeared on the cover of Thrasher Magazine’s second issue. Towering above the pool coping, he looked like a young Josh Brolin playing a gladiator on four wheels. It wasn’t just a photo—it was a statement. Strople was SGV-born and bred, and he had arrived.

That image didn’t just put him in the spotlight. It put Monrovia and the entire SGV on the map.

Concrete Warrior with Heart

Chris is known for his powerful frontside grinds, flow through bowls, and ability to charge any terrain with grace. But talk to anyone who knows him, and they’ll tell you his real strength is his heart. He's a guy who never let ego overpower humility. Whether you're a seasoned vert dog or a kid trying your first drop-in, Chris makes you feel like you belong.

Even now, decades after his pro prime, you’ll find Strople rolling up to Duarte Skatepark on a Saturday or Sunday morning session... the sound of the Duarte River in the background. Those sessions have become the stuff of legend. It’s not unusual to catch Lance Mountain, Jeff Grosso (RIP), Jon Lucero, and Eric Nash in the mix—riding, reminiscing, and paying tribute to one another. Strople’s presence is the gravitational pull.

The Keeper of Our Stories

Chris isn’t just a skater—he’s a living archive of SGV skate history. He’s blessed us at Stix SGV with stories that trace the rise of backyard vert, the politics of early contests, and the DIY spirit that kept the region pushing forward through the decades.

He’s sat with us in the shop and dropped names, dates, and moments like poetry. Through Chris, we’ve come to appreciate our hometown terrain even more. And thanks to our friend Jonathan Delgado, that appreciation was turned into something permanent: a shrine inside our Monrovia location.

It includes a signed copy of that iconic Thrasher issue, along with photos, relics, and decks. It’s more than decor—it’s a time capsule of SGV greatness.

Beyond the Board: The Insurance Agent with a Skate Soul

In addition to being a full-fledged skate legend, Chris has become a trusted insurance agent for our shops. He’s helped us navigate the business side of things with the same care and clarity he brings to every session. The trust he’s earned isn’t just about paperwork—it’s about integrity.

He’s someone who has your back, whether it’s for a better policy or a better frontside carve.

Accolades and Influence

Chris was a foundational skater in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, competing at Pipeline, Marina, and Del Mar alongside names like Tony Alva, Steve Olson, and Jay Smith. He brought a mix of aggression and control that helped shape the progression of vert skating in its early days.

His inclusion in classic skate mags, photo books, and contest results has solidified his place among the greats—even if he never made a spectacle of it. In the SGV, his name carries the kind of weight you can’t fake.

In 2023, Strople was officially inducted into the Skateboarding Hall of Fame, a long-overdue recognition of his contributions to vert skating, skate culture, and his role in shaping the scene in Southern California. During his acceptance speech, Strople humbly stated, "Skateboarding gave me everything—freedom, purpose, and the best people I've ever known. I’m just grateful to still be rolling."

Lance Mountain once said about Strople: “Chris is one of those guys who didn’t just push skating—he pushed skaters. He brought out the best in everyone around him.”

Eric Nash recalled, "Skating with Strople at Duarte is like skating with a monk who found his peace in a frontside carve. He doesn’t say much, but when he does, it sticks."

Even Grosso, in one of his later Loveletters to Skateboarding episodes, mentioned Chris by name: “He’s one of the pure ones. You didn’t hear a lot about him in the mags, but everyone who mattered knew. Strople was the guy in the SGV.”*

Legacy in Motion

Even now, Chris continues to give. He gives advice, gives support, and gives back. Whether he’s showing up to shop events, catching up with locals, or simply lacing up to skate with the younger generation, his presence reminds us what skating’s really about.

It’s about community, respect, and doing it for the love.

Chris Strople didn’t just represent Monrovia—he elevated it. And he’s still doing it, one grind at a time.

To Chris: Thank you for everything—the sessions, the stories, the soul. You are SGV royalty.

STROPLE POWER!!!

Stix SGV has proudly served the San Gabriel Valley skateboarding community since the late ‘90s. With three locations across Los Angeles County, we’ve been deeply rooted in the local scene. Our Monrovia shop has been a staple since 1997, followed by our Claremont location in 2014, and our South Pasadena shop opening its doors in 2022. Our mission has always been simple: to uphold skateboarding culture and stay true to our community.