At the risk of sounding like a Viagra ad...
The Big Stick has changed my life!
No, not that Big Stick. This Big Stick -- the Kahuna Big Stick, an adjustable pole for pushing a longboard skateboard without having to put a foot down.
I'm really enjoying it.
Went to Salem's Riverfront Park yesterday. Did about three miles in forty minutes or so. That includes some walking when an uphill section seemed like too damn much work, and also when a downhill section seemed too damn scary.
The reactions of other skateboarders have been interesting. Not surprisingly, so far I haven't run into anybody who looks older than twenty-something. Thus seeing a gray-bearded geezer pushing his way along on a longboard elicits varying reactions.
Most commonly, nothing. Meaning, when I smile and say "Hi," my brother skateboarder (they're almost universally guys) doesn't even look at me as he rides by in the other direction.
Doesn't bother me.
I recently sold my big Burgman 650 scooter. For three years I regularly gave the motorcycle wave to guys on Harleys and other motorcycles. Mostly they ignored me on my white Japanese scooter. So I'm familiar with being ignored because I don't fit in with a prevailing stereotype.
Yesterday, though, I did get some smiles and a "nice board" comment from some skateboarders.
Along with a "why aren't you on the board?!" from a guy who was bicycling up the ramp leading to Wallace Marine Park and saw me walking down with my longboard in hand. "Because I suck at stopping," I yelled back. Geez, dude, I'm almost 64. Give me some credit for being on a longboard at all.
If I keep this up, I could win a senior citizen "best abs" contest before too long. (In my dreams, at least.) Using the Big Stick to push a longboard is a terrific core workout, especially if a trail has some ups along with downs.
Today I came across a video which demonstrates the benefits of the Big Stick that's worth watching for several attractive reasons. Observe the female BIg Stick reviewer and you'll easily discern two of them. Both the guy and gal are attractive, though.
(Note: he gets "goofy foot" backwards in the video; right foot forward on the board is "goofy," not left.)
I couldn't help but note that the guy is riding on what seems to be a Kahuna Creations Haka Moko longboard. Since giving begins at home, I'm leaning toward getting myself one of these for my birthday, and then surprising myself with it.
Nit picking night...
Right foot forward is "goofy foot".
The expression originated from board surfing where a goofy footer faces the wave when going left by having the right foot forward. I guess this is goofy beause most goofy footers are left handed which is less common than being right handed. Right handed people tend to board surf left foot forward (regular foot) and are facing the wave when going right. Conversely, a goofy footer has their back to the wave when going right and a regular footer has their back to the wave when going left.
This is one of the few things I have ever written on either of the Hines blogs, after years of participation, that I am unwaveringly certain of...maybe the only thing.
Posted by: tucson | September 28, 2012 at 11:30 PM
The Big Stick sounds amazing! cheers
Posted by: James Goslin | December 09, 2017 at 07:39 PM