Started skating at age 65. I saw some longboards and thought I'd try it. My interest was cruising, not tricks. First time out, just about broke a wrist, but I stuck with it.
I'm fairly obsessed. I'm constantly searching for the right downhill slope and smooth pavement. I never did learn to slide, so I have to get off when accelerating beyond the speed of being able to stay upright when bailing. I tried learning to slide; Cliff Coleman worked with me one day in SF, and I got a few tentative slides, but never practiced because I prefer fast, soft wheels.
I've probably had over 20 boards and recently spend most of my time on a Loaded Dervish with Orangutang wheels. It's got a flowing, flexible quality that I love. (Last week Lizzie at The Purple Skunk in SF told me the Dervish is their best-selling board.) The other board I use occasionally is a Landyachtz Evo for bombing.
When you're my age (73), you don't want to fall, but it's inevitable once in a while. Gloves with hard discs on palms are my most important safety gear. Cliff Coleman says, "When you fall, remember four words: Get On Your Hands," meaning let the gloves grind on the asphalt rather than your skin.
The other thing about skating at an advanced age: it's good for your brain to learn a new physical skill when you're old. Usually we stop developing new bodily skills at an early age. Once I start rolling, I have to focus. The two dangers, cars and pavement, make the stakes higher than falling off a surfboard.
I think there's a big untapped group of former skaters. Guys who got married, had kids and a job and quit skating. 40-50-60 year olds. They have the skills (muscle memory). They've forgotten about skating and don't know about technological advances in the last decade or so. I often get a former skater on one of my boards and they're amazed.
Have been using a Kahuna Big Stick on flat areas and slight downslopes and is it fun! Although in Santa Cruz a month ago, was skating along East Cliff Drive, getting thumbs up from surfers, feeling pretty sharp and wham! I was on the ground, the stick had caught a wheel. The first thing I do when falling is take a survey of what's damaged. Secondly I look around to see who saw me fall. Ended up with bruised ribs for 3 weeks. (No one saw me fall!)
I've been a publisher for 37 years. Two main categories: fitness, and building/architecture. I do only a book or two a year, and they are always on subjects that are part of my life. My blog, including adventures and misadventures: http://www.lloydkahn.com
I don't think I will get that old. If I do, then yeah. LOL
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Cαnnθn "If you want my secrets, you'll eat my sandwich!" skating since 1993
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dumbass suburban white kids... always tryin to be tough by either imitating the black mouse or holding the black mouse down
Quote:
Originally Posted by cheezewiz
wow for that kind of money i would rollerblade with a banana hammock!!!
[remi] 9:53 pm: but then one day she barfed and she then yelled the f word and
yelled that she is preggnent and that we should all learn a lesson and not have sex with
strangers (exactly her words) she then stormed out of the classroom and we never saw
her again...
this guy mentioned purple skunk in SF, so im assuming hes in norcal? i may need to party with him...
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longboarding is an art where your body is the canvas and the asphalt the brush.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Eddy Martinez
I believe this site was founded on RESPECT for one another. Not DISRESPECT. And name calling. I will allways be kind to a newb. I for one am grateful for this site. Your Amigo Eddy Texas Outlaws.
give a boarder the answer "feed" him for a day, teach a boarder to use the search function "feed" him for a lifetime.
YES! five decades. by then it will be a simple and cheap procedure to get new knees, ankles and wrists. I hope. if not then still... YES!
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I love to skate n roll
So put some more lube in my bearings, baby
I love to skate n roll
So come an take your board an skate with me
YES! five decades. by then it will be a simple and cheap procedure to get new knees, ankles and wrists. I hope. if not then still... YES!
I was going to post something like that... . I might be like that guy + 40-50 pounds. I'll still have a board to teach my grandkids if I can't ride at least.
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[PurrCrabs] 1:39 am: js... I got poison oak on my junk that wa
[PurrCrabs] 1:39 am: got it on my arms and hands and didn't know
[PurrCrabs] 1:39 am: jerked off
[PurrCrabs] 1:40 am: worst 2 weeks ever
My dream of my in 50ish years:
I have a whole room in my house dedicated to skateboarding. My kids were raised on skateboards, and love it. My grand kids find out about skateboarding, and we have a family tree skate around the park, boardwalk, neighborhood, or wherever I reside at the time. Oh yes, and my wife skates too, and our honeymoon was a skate around the state. And the wedding reception: whole skate event sponsored by my favorite companies including a downhill race, slide comp, freestyle comp.
I think there's a big untapped group of former skaters. Guys who got married, had kids and a job and quit skating. 40-50-60 year olds. They have the skills (muscle memory). They've forgotten about skating and don't know about technological advances in the last decade or so. I often get a former skater on one of my boards and they're amazed.
You got that one right for sure! My dad, in his 50's, decided to try out my boards, after me riding for like 8 months. Before i know it, my dads on his way down a hill right near us, carving it up. Turns out, he used to skate when he was a kid, surfed for a long time, and still has that balance! He's so much more interested in skating now, and best of all, he understands why i want more boards, because he can tell how different mine are.
I've gotten him to take me to berkeley for the slidefest, i've gotten him to go to a parking garage with my friend and I, and we can go ride downtown!
Were also going surfing over thanksgiving break!
It's awesome!
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dancer
I had a talk with God and Chuck Norris.
They've agreed to spare the world if I kick you into the Sparta pit.
Every time an older person asks about my board, if they mention that they used to skate I tell them it's never too late to take it back up. If they say they're too old, I tell 'em about that dude.
In about 5 decades I hope that's me. Or, by then we'll have the technology to implant my memories and personality in to a fresh body grown or stolen. Why did they cancel Dollhouse?
__________________ He who makes a monster of himself escapes the pain of being a man. -HST
could this be you in a few decades?
. I might be like that guy + 40-50 pounds. I'll still have a board to teach my grandkids if I can't ride at least.
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