My senior citizen skateboarding: days 1 & 2

Yeah, I did it. Got a skateboard. Longboard, actually. They're different breeds of the same four-wheeled animal. Quite different critters.

Skateboards are all tricky; longboards are for cruising, carving, dancing. I thought about the pros and cons of jumping into longboarding at the age of 63 (see here and here). 

Then my inner voice, which hopefully isn't a senile or self-destructive one, spoke to me. "Dude, do it!" Since it used the word dude, I trusted the voice. Figured it was in tune with the skateboarding vibe. 

After talking with the dudes at Salem's Exit Real World skateboard/snowboard shop, I settled on a Landyachtz longboard, The Switch. The description appealed to me, even though I have no idea what the "new school freeride movement" is.

Sure seems like something I need to be a part of, whatever it is.

Our premier freeride specific board which has helped define the emerging ride style of today's longboarder. This board has given riders of all levels the chance to experience the new school freeride movement making stand up slides and drifting easier than ever.

I like: how the platform is dropped low; it feels stable... how the board is symmetrical, so I can't get it pointed the wrong way... how there's "dropped hips" (sounds like my aging body) at each end where my feet can get pretty much locked in.

If you are a 50'ish AARP member or even -- gasp! -- a social security recipient (I'm both) who is considering getting a longboard, my main message is what I said above. Dude, do it! 

After you think about it. Like I did.

I'm physically fit. I do Tai Chi. I ballroom dance. I regularly lift weights and do the ellipical trainer aerobic thing. I'm handling my longboard quite well after just an hour or so of practicing. Video evidence below. Many fellow senior citizens could follow in my Vans-clad footsteps.

Step 1 at the skateboard shop: tell the salesman, "I want to look cool, even if I end up longboarding like shit."

Step 2: be safe. I ended up buying a helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, and gloves. So far I've only worn the knee pads and gloves, because I've been practicing at slow speeds on flat ground. When I go out on a road, the helmet and elbow pads will go on also.

I've ridden a big Suzuki Burgman 650 scooter for three years, never failing to wear a full set of protective gear every time I get on it. (I'm selling the scooter, figuring that one risky activity at a time is enough for me; the skateboard shop dudes, by the way, told me that longboarding is way safer than motorcycling/scootering; I agree.)

So I'm used to reducing risk by wearing the right gear. Us senior citizen skateboarders need to be particularly attentive to this, given that we heal more slowly than younger folk. 

In my two days of practicing, I've had a few stumbles, but no falls. I've even been able to hold my iPhone while I recorded some on-board video action. My wife said, "Who wants to see where you're going, without seeing you on the board?" 

Well, I'm not expecting my Senior Citizen Skateboarder series will go viral on You Tube. And soon I'll share some third-person view videos of me in my oh-so-cool Vans shoes doing whatever I'm able to do on my longboard.

Which is, so far, push off... go in a straight line... stop by a foot drag... make sweeping turns on flat ground.

Tomorrow, though, down Pikes Peak! Well, maybe after quite a few tomorrows. Here's what I've been up to on day 1 and day 2 of my longboarding. 

 

 

 

Comments

[Joe Woods]

I gave up skateboarding when I started going to Jr. High School because back in the 70's it really was only children who were doing it-it really blows my mind to see adults skateboarding now!

[Jim Johnson]

You inspired me to try longboarding. I am 58 years old and just bought a Never Summer, Swift longboard ("the luxury cruise liner of longboards," sayeth Dogfunk).

It is really smooth and the slope of the driveway and roads near here are just fine for cruising. Northeast Iowa (Dubuque) is not as flat as you might think. I definitely need some protective gear though.

Going fast and smooth down hill seems to be my new obsession. It brings back memories of insane downhill speed on my old skateboard from ~1964, but that one had impossibly hard wheels that skidded on every little stone on the street -- ouch! The Swift longboard is so smooth and even runs over acorns on the driveway.

Thanks HinesSight!

[Blogger Brian]

Jim, congratulations! You must be good at stopping/sliding if you into going fast down hill. I've been too busy to practice much lately. I can foot break OK at slow speeds, but am clueless about stopping at higher speeds. Got to begin figuring out the whole sliding thing at some point.

[Jim]

Don't get me wrong... Going fast and smooth down a hill on a longboard truly is my obsession, but obsessed is not the same as attained.

As you say, the key is learning to stop and sliding seems to be the best way to stop at high speeds. Now I am obsessed with learning how to slide and stop so I can actually fulfil my obsession. I may try those gloves with "pucks" on the palms as brakes.

The is a cul de sac at the end of my downhill goal. Maybe I can learn to turn sharply enough to slow down.

In any case, it is a blast. Thanks again for the inspiration.