could this be you in a few decades?

**skategeezer** · 11-13-2009 09:56 AM

by Lloyd Kahn
Longboards & Big Sticks

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

**Cann0n** · 11-13-2009 09:59 AM

I don't think I will get that old. If I do, then yeah. LOL

**Jerzey@AdvancedSlideLabs** · 11-13-2009 10:11 AM

That's so rad! I give this guy all the props in the world.

This def. made my day that much better!

**Cooper@BCLongboards** · 11-13-2009 10:27 AM

I wanna be just like him when i'm his age! He rocks!! I dig!

**easyroller** · 11-13-2009 10:30 AM

Awesome! This has got me super stoked to get out there!

**rosewood thief** · 11-13-2009 10:30 AM

Good god i hope thats me in a few decades.

**dcphotos** · 11-13-2009 12:24 PM

I'll be that way before I know it! I hope.

**Crosscurrent** · 11-13-2009 05:09 PM

What an inspiration. I had to go skate. And incredible photography, too- I can only hope that I'll be doing all that at 73!

**snozzboarder55** · 11-13-2009 05:13 PM

this guy mentioned purple skunk in SF, so im assuming hes in norcal? i may need to party with him...

**Old Guy** · 11-13-2009 05:16 PM

Good for him - I can't see myself skating still in thirty years without some new knees; ####ers hurt me enough already.

**Stienz** · 11-13-2009 06:11 PM

Originally Posted by rosewood thief

Good god i hope thats me in a few decades.

This, too bad it's still raining here.

**mountain skatah** · 11-15-2009 07:04 PM

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!

**ChefGeoff** · 11-15-2009 08:19 PM

The other board I use occasionally is a Landyachtz Evo for bombing.

The Landyachtz Evo: because sometimes the 'ol walker just don't cut it

this old man has raised the gnarbar for senior citizens everywhere!!!

**jsweriduk** · 11-15-2009 08:19 PM

Originally Posted by mountain skatah

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.

**Mike Altenhofen** · 11-15-2009 08:49 PM

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.

**Viebster** · 11-15-2009 09:25 PM

Originally Posted by skategeezer

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!

**mangels** · 11-17-2009 08:26 AM

The fountain of youth.

**loug** · 11-17-2009 10:15 AM

sheeiitt, i'm already there. been sleeping with a heating pad on the knees and plan on switching up to bengay

**817** · 11-17-2009 10:30 AM

Sick! #1 senior citizen in my book.

**BlackRider** · 11-17-2009 10:48 AM

That guy is a hero of mine.

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?