Too old to skate.

[MrGrace]

I just turned 40 and skated for a few hours yesterday and ate a lot of shit but had a blast. As Im writing this I feel like C3PO after he got shot by the Stormtroopers on Cloud City but cant wait for the next session.
Everyone that I bump into that quit skating or never skated that are my age looks like they are sixty.
Best part for me is you can cruise,push it,eat shit and its all the same fun.
Skateboarding owes me nothing but I owe skateboarding my everything.

[Strike A Pose]

Fuck cruising and all that image based stupid shit.

As soon as I'm too brittle to do any tricks I'm done skating.

[MacYoCoffee]

The writer seems like he's well on his way to becoming a concerned citizen.

[barkeep11]

I just turned 40 and skated for a few hours yesterday and ate a lot of shit but had a blast. As Im writing this I feel like C3PO after he got shot by the Stormtroopers on Cloud City but cant wait for the next session.
Everyone that I bump into that quit skating or never skated that are my age looks like they are sixty.
Best part for me is you can cruise,push it,eat shit and its all the same fun.
Skateboarding owes me nothing but I owe skateboarding my everything.

This!  I hear ya!

[George Vallore]

Fuck cruising and all that image based stupid shit.

As soon as I'm too brittle to do any tricks I'm done skating.

Good. Seems like you've missed a big part of the idea of skateboarding in the first place.

The first time I stepped on a board, the biggest rush wasn't some crazy drop or flippity flappity doo, but the movement
of wind and speed. The turning of the board, invisible lines on concrete.

The fucking FEELING, my friend.

You start there, and when you get older, you come back to it.

It's simple, and it's the core of it all.

[happenstance]

I am only 26 and have had a knee injury that has lasted 14 months. Not sure when I will be back to doing tricks. I still have to skate! I do crack under pressure and do a few tricks every now and then but for the most part I get a lot of enjoyment just riding. Bomb hills, do powerslides, tail scrapes on man hole covers, skitch cars and slappy curbs - that has been the totality of my skating for a long time. I like to believe I will be back one day but I would be content doing just that for the rest of my life.

[Strike A Pose]

Fuck cruising and all that image based stupid shit.

As soon as I'm too brittle to do any tricks I'm done skating.

Good. Seems like you've missed a big part of the idea of skateboarding in the first place.

The first time I stepped on a board, the biggest rush wasn't some crazy drop or flippity flappity doo, but the movement
of wind and speed. The turning of the board, invisible lines on concrete.

The fucking FEELING, my friend.

You start there, and when you get older, you come back to it.

It's simple, and it's the core of it all.

Lol.

Shut the fuck up, faggot!

"the FEELING"

LOL for real? I enjoy practicing tricks and improving my skills. You can roll around aimlessly all you want, but don't question my enjoyment simply because I don't treat a skateboard like a scooter.

It is sad that I am always forced to bring up the same point, and I'm not saying that I'm all that on a board, but why is it that people like this ALWAYS fucking suck at skating so they come up with excuses to justify their struggles?


It's whatever with me!

[oldeath]

Fuck cruising and all that image based stupid shit.

As soon as I'm too brittle to do any tricks I'm done skating.

I think you should quit now.

[Strike A Pose]

Too core to do tricks!

Yeah!

Lol............................................................no

Just stop.

[happenstance]

Strike a Pose - cruising isn't "image based". I don't know where you would come up with such an idea. If you only interpret skateboarding through the lens of the professional world, then yes, people film stupid commercials all the time to show how their 'cruising' makes them free spirits or some shit. If you drop that distorted view, rolling on the board is the foundation of the activity that you love. If anything, tricks are 'image based'. That is what makes you 'look cool' and what causes people to distinguish the good from the bad. I don't know where I am going with this, I am getting a little hippy and transcendental here, but yeah, go outside and roll.

[Zurg]

definitely a bit misguided about it, but i feel strike a pose on that. i will still hopefully be rolling around from time to time when im too frail to really skate. really though, how much fun is skating when you cant ollie? youre pretty much in longboard territory

[happenstance]

Like I said up there, my skating has been on the no ollie tip for 14 months. I still get the urge to go out and skate all the time. You find new ways to have fun on a skateboard. I think it is hard to appreciate until you get to the point where you can't do tricks. Then just rolling becomes something you can really appreciate. Sure I want to do tricks again and I hope I get better. And as I said I do crack every now and again and do some tricks (it hurts). Trust me though, when getting off the ground isn't an option you don't just lose the drive to ride a skateboard.

[darrin lee]

Came across this funny article located here:

http://www.ruinedmyweek.com/2010/04/grown-men-who-ride-skateboards.html?showComment=1334817060520#c9202016551860669629

Reminds me of Ryan Gallants part in transworld first love.  I know there are plenty of people out there like this who consider skateboarding to be only something you can do up until you are an adult.  I'm turning 23 this june and for the last couple years I've noticed how different it feels to cruise the streets...as a child, no one gave a shit, but I notice more and more people staring as if to say "isn't he a bit old for that?".  It really doesn't bother me, but it is something I've become aware of.  It's sad that we live in a world like this.  These people annoy the fuck out of me.  Personally I plan to skate until I'm unable to, and even then I will probably still cruise every now and then.  Just wondering what all your feelings were on this particular issue.

You pay attention to people staring?  Don't pay attention and it won't annoy you.  Out of sight, out of mind.

[oldeath]

Like I said up there, my skating has been on the no ollie tip for 14 months. I still get the urge to go out and skate all the time. You find new ways to have fun on a skateboard. I think it is hard to appreciate until you get to the point where you can't do tricks. Then just rolling becomes something you can really appreciate. Sure I want to do tricks again and I hope I get better. And as I said I do crack every now and again and do some tricks (it hurts). Trust me though, when getting off the ground isn't an option you don't just lose the drive to ride a skateboard.

This basicly.
I have been skateboarding for the bigger part of my life, i will be 42 this summer and are way past my prime.
I try to skate atleast a couple of times a week and the kids that i skate with is in their 20s, they are superstoked that they get to take me out.
My back, my knees and my feet are shut and hurt all the time, but there is no way i could live without beeing able to go out and skate, just cruising around popping small ollies and do slappies gives me the best feeling in the world and there is no one who can take that away from me.

[The Nose Face]

definitely a bit misguided about it, but i feel strike a pose on that. i will still hopefully be rolling around from time to time when im too frail to really skate. really though, how much fun is skating when you cant ollie? youre pretty much in longboard territory

oh man i had 215s on my cruiser at one point, which is probably like an 8. i ate so much shit by kicking my wheels while skating drunk(and sober) that i switched them for some shitty 129s i had

Do you ollie on your cruiser a lot?

[BraveUlysses]

How can people say it's childish for a grown man to skate yet perfectly fine for a grown man to play sports such as football, basketball and baseball even when they don't receive any money from doing it? Double Standard idiots.

[Zurg]

definitely a bit misguided about it, but i feel strike a pose on that. i will still hopefully be rolling around from time to time when im too frail to really skate. really though, how much fun is skating when you cant ollie? youre pretty much in longboard territory

oh man i had 215s on my cruiser at one point, which is probably like an 8. i ate so much shit by kicking my wheels while skating drunk(and sober) that i switched them for some shitty 129s i had

Do you ollie on your cruiser a lot?

yep. having a tail was the main thing i looked for when picking it out. its a little tougher, but i can do pretty well every flatground trick on my cruiser that i can do on my normal board.

[waltercronkite]

ferrari posters? popped collars? dane cook funny!???

BWAHHHH	Small | Large

[The Mess]

definitely a bit misguided about it, but i feel strike a pose on that. i will still hopefully be rolling around from time to time when im too frail to really skate. really though, how much fun is skating when you cant ollie? youre pretty much in longboard territory

skating without ollies is actually way funner if you know what your doing. it will also last you into your 40s/50s (TA). not trying to counter anything... i know the progression side is super fun too. but cruising truly is the simplest pleasure. it's the root. or it should be. ever watch a dude that can do real good tricks but looks uncomfortable pushing? it never works without the root.

[steve]

AnonymousApr 19, 2012 10:04 AM

This coming from someone who blogs more than a teenage girl and whines about every little aspect of like. Get over it. Your blog isn't funny, you really seem like a sad, miserable little excuse for a man.

To fuel the fire here, I am in my mid 30's and have been skateboarding since around 1987. Most of us older skaters never did it to be "cool," there was nothing cool about skating when we were teenagers, we did it because we found a hobby that we love. Everyone should be so lucky.

I have a elementary school age son, a lovely wife who is a stay at home mom, and a stable software development job. In most ways I live a normal life, attend school events, play catch with kids in my cul de sac, BBQ with my neighbors, etc., so who is anyone to say anything about how I choose to spend my free time or how I commute (yes, I ride my skateboard to my office).

To boot, I could easily pass for being 10-12 years younger than I am. I stay in terrific shape without having to waste several hours every week in a gym.

So before you go criticizing other people's lives, look internally. Your self-centered attitude is an obvious cover to hide insecurity and deep discontent with your own life and lame routine.

almost makes me think of Grim.

[woodsman]

You have to switch to Tennis after 30. But seriously the only time it sucks to be judged for skating is when you are waiting for the MUNI and a hot business chick sees you with a board and is instantly turned off. It's retarded because if you had rollerblades on you're just exercising.

[Zurg]

definitely a bit misguided about it, but i feel strike a pose on that. i will still hopefully be rolling around from time to time when im too frail to really skate. really though, how much fun is skating when you cant ollie? youre pretty much in longboard territory

skating without ollies is actually way funner if you know what your doing. it will also last you into your 40s/50s (TA). not trying to counter anything... i know the progression side is super fun too. but cruising truly is the simplest pleasure. it's the root. or it should be. ever watch a dude that can do real good tricks but looks uncomfortable pushing? it never works without the root.

hmm, maybe i just have to learn to appreciate it more. i do love going for a cruise, but the most fun parts of them are usually trying to hit ledges, manualing curbs and ollieing manholes. whenever i think of times where i strictly went and pushed around(usually as transportation) i think of dogging it on shitty bearings and rough ground. also i think ill probably lose the strength to powerslide before i lose the strength to pop little ollies

[commie]

Skateboarding when you are old is alright, as long as it is economically profitable. Tony Hawk is in his 40s now. Cash rules.

[Strike A Pose]

definitely a bit misguided about it, but i feel strike a pose on that. i will still hopefully be rolling around from time to time when im too frail to really skate. really though, how much fun is skating when you cant ollie? youre pretty much in longboard territory

skating without ollies is actually way funner if you know what your doing. it will also last you into your 40s/50s (TA). not trying to counter anything... i know the progression side is super fun too. but cruising truly is the simplest pleasure. it's the root. or it should be. ever watch a dude that can do real good tricks but looks uncomfortable pushing? it never works without the root.

This fucker actually typed out "way funner".

Lol. See my point?

I wouldn't have started skateboarding if all you could do was roll around. I was intrigued by the tricks. That was MY root.

[sleepypancakes]

definitely a bit misguided about it, but i feel strike a pose on that. i will still hopefully be rolling around from time to time when im too frail to really skate. really though, how much fun is skating when you cant ollie? youre pretty much in longboard territory

skating without ollies is actually way funner if you know what your doing. it will also last you into your 40s/50s (TA). not trying to counter anything... i know the progression side is super fun too. but cruising truly is the simplest pleasure. it's the root. or it should be. ever watch a dude that can do real good tricks but looks uncomfortable pushing? it never works without the root.

This fucker actually typed out "way funner".

Lol. See my point?

I wouldn't have started skateboarding if all you could do was roll around. I was intrigued by the tricks. That was MY root.

No. But I would imagine that's because you're retarded.

Doing tricks and cruising are both fun. People will always do both.

[G.Lewis]

Mark Conahan @ 1:15 https://vimeo.com/27082670is 50 or 51.  He still shreds.  He has his own little backyard concrete bowl and probably skates just about everyday.  Age is irrelevant when you're having fun, however that may be.  I'm turning 40 in December and I skate probably 2-3 times a week.  With kids and work, you take what you can get when you can get it...and you like it.

[The Mess]

definitely a bit misguided about it, but i feel strike a pose on that. i will still hopefully be rolling around from time to time when im too frail to really skate. really though, how much fun is skating when you cant ollie? youre pretty much in longboard territory

skating without ollies is actually way funner if you know what your doing. it will also last you into your 40s/50s (TA). not trying to counter anything... i know the progression side is super fun too. but cruising truly is the simplest pleasure. it's the root. or it should be. ever watch a dude that can do real good tricks but looks uncomfortable pushing? it never works without the root.

This fucker actually typed out "way funner".

Lol. See my point?

I wouldn't have started skateboarding if all you could do was roll around. I was intrigued by the tricks. That was MY root.

stoked for you bro.

[BIGSTOOPS]

I'm in my mid 30's and skating is still fun as ever. It's been the same as long as i can remember, except it hurts a little more when i eat shit and i get sore a lot more.  I'm constantly thinking about skating and looking at spots while driving around for work.  i don't think i'll ever quit, even if it means just rolling around.  rolling around after being injured for months is a great feeling. imagine being an old fart rolling around, sounds like fun to me.  even though i physically feel sixty, mentally i'm still twelve sitting on a curb in a parking lot with my homies.  skating is like the fountain of youth.  and as for the people that may frowning upon my old ass pushing down the street, i guarantee  i'm having way more fun than them.

[stephop]

I won't stop until I'm not having fun. It will be harder to skate If the few people I grew up skating with and session with quit. I pretty much have a goal to at least be able to cruise down the street and ollie up a curb and do a long as manual at 50. I really don't see that being a problem unless I physically cannot skate which I don't really think about right now. I always think how funny it will be if I'm just walking in the city when I'm old and just asking to try a kids board and doing a kickflip in my mid 40's or some shit...and it will happen.

[Skate Edge]

i just turned 37 and now i can bluntslide so fuck everybody.

Dope.  I got 3 years and 2 months to learn how to bluntside so I can catch up with you.

I'm old (in skate years) but at least I can say I'm a better skater than I've ever been.  Which isn't saying much.