This was such a brilliant post from oldmanarmy.com (who took it from Middle Aged Shred in the UK) that I wanted to share it with you all...
Just wondering...
When you first started skating, or picked it up again after a long break, how far did you see yourself going with it?
Back in the 70's I think I would have been satisfied with 8 x 360's on flat and a frontside grind and a tailblock in a big pool.
In the 80's my ambition was just to FIND somewhere to skate with transitions and maybe finally pull a real frontside air.
This time round I wanted to nail the 'basic' mini-ramp tricks, rock n roll, rock fakie, tail stall, axle stall, on 5 or 6 foot ramps.
Having progressed past that now, I'd just like more overall confidence on big ramps (7' upwards) and carvy stuff, improve the tricks I can do and maybe add 3 or 4 more mini-ramp ones. ....for now.
So what did you want out of skating? Did you get it? What do want from it now in terms of progression? And what will you be going for in another 2 years? Think hard...
In my case, I just want to skate. I am quite selective on the terrain or discipline. 1st tranny/roundwall, 2nd old style freestyle and I am enjoying slalom workouts. I was sponsored by sims in the 80/81 time frame. Hated the 80's lack of roundwall. Got hurt a lot in the 80's, did a fair amount of downhill in the 80's (30-40mph stuff) , cruised in the 90's, got back into it heavily around 00. But its all relative. Its not about tricks. tricks come with riding frequency and going for it. But the feeling is always the same. A fast fs double axle carve now is just as exciting as 3ft airs were in 1980. Its all relative. I like flying around in a tight confining roundwall environment. I like grinding cement. And I like riding my 70's boards. I feel I can go on for at least 5-10 more years on.
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My comments represent a selfishly one sided 1970's skateboarder mindset, and do not reflect the current fashion-skate-lifestyle industry's views.
I want to see slalom racing get big. Big as in... televised, good cash prizes, sponsors, etc. If it were to happen in the next 10-20 years, that would be during my prime.
skating makes me happy. and that's all i ever needed from it.
the next 2 years?
-building and learning to ride an eight-wheeler.
-doing time in a cone avoidance rehab
-help get a public cement park built locally
-win a frigging pie from fatboy!
skating makes me happy. and that's all i ever needed from it.
-help get a public cement park built locally
!
This is a big one with me too. I'd also like to get good enough to pump and maintain speed in a concrete park and carve the walls. Maybe a grind or rocknroll or 2 and I'd be happy. Gotta get that park built first. I have actually considered getting a 2nd mortgage and building it myself, but then I'd have to charge folks to ride it. That would suck. The city builds basketball courts and you can go for free if you bring your ball. Why not a concrete skatepark?
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Who's the badest mo fo low down in this town.
SHO NUFF!
Jay says DBAS (Don't Be A Sissy)
Kiss my Converse.
I disagree. Progress shows how much you're really putting into it. Comparing your progress to someone else isn't what skating is about. But skating is all about progress. I want to learn another trick. That guy wants to shave a second off his slalom time. The next guy wants to throw his slides down faster. Your progress represents your dedication.
I disagree. Progress shows how much you're really putting into it. Comparing your progress to someone else isn't what skating is about. But skating is all about progress. I want to learn another trick. That guy wants to shave a second off his slalom time. The next guy wants to throw his slides down faster. Your progress represents your dedication.
I'm marginally better than I was thirty-some years ago. Am I not dedicated?
where do you see yourself going with this...?
