Getting back on a Skateboard! I must be mad.
Discussion
So after a 15 year absence and many years of pining I have decided to get back on a Skateboard at the age of 31, I have for many years wanted to have another go but have always felt to old and quite frankly a little scared and intimidated to try again, I’m also a dad and a husband so finding time to fit anything in outside of family time is always difficult.
Recently at a friends birthday party it became apparent that a number of my old friends who I used to skate with were feeling the same, so all six of us have decided to give it another go.
A new local skate park has opened with flood lighting so we’re going to meet around 8pm on a Wednesday evening when hopefully the local youth have all gone home and can leave us oldies to embarrass ourselves on our own.
I’m expecting to fall over (lots) and for it to hurt, I’m certainly not in shape as I’ve been working on my dad bod for years.
Yesterday I ordered my new board, which was actually the same one I had all them years ago, today that board should be arriving, to say I’m a little excited would be an understatement!
Has anyone else been back on to a Skateboard later in life?
Wish me luck!
Recently at a friends birthday party it became apparent that a number of my old friends who I used to skate with were feeling the same, so all six of us have decided to give it another go.
A new local skate park has opened with flood lighting so we’re going to meet around 8pm on a Wednesday evening when hopefully the local youth have all gone home and can leave us oldies to embarrass ourselves on our own.
I’m expecting to fall over (lots) and for it to hurt, I’m certainly not in shape as I’ve been working on my dad bod for years.
Yesterday I ordered my new board, which was actually the same one I had all them years ago, today that board should be arriving, to say I’m a little excited would be an understatement!
Has anyone else been back on to a Skateboard later in life?
Wish me luck!
What you bought? 1979 was the last time I skated and then gave in to the urge to ride 2 years ago. It's not like riding a bike after a long lay off, that's easy peasy. Get good protective gear and always always wear a helmet. I bought a long board for sea front cruising duties but inevitably I ended up at the same skate park I used back in the day, a steep learning curve indeed. Glad I did it though, ita a blast! I've endend up on a Boosted leccy board that tops out at 27mph after fitting slightly bigger wheels. It's a whole new level of madness and fear. Have fun 
Captain Smerc said:
What you bought? 1979 was the last time I skated and then gave in to the urge to ride 2 years ago. It's not like riding a bike after a long lay off, that's easy peasy. Get good protective gear and always always wear a helmet. I bought a long board for sea front cruising duties but inevitably I ended up at the same skate park I used back in the day, a steep learning curve indeed. Glad I did it though, ita a blast! I've endend up on a Boosted leccy board that tops out at 27mph after fitting slightly bigger wheels. It's a whole new level of madness and fear. Have fun
So my board arrived and here it is, 
So my main skating was street skating with a few ramps hear and there, I haven't tried longboarding down steep hills but I have watched a few videos and it does look great fun.
Did you feel out of place going back to a skatepark?
I think a helmet is certainly advisable!
I skated back in the late 90s through to 2006ish. I drifted away from it and got into snowboarding, after 15 years of hucking myself at rails and a few surgeries as a result, i've decided to get back into some mellow skating and dial back the big trick snowboarding a bit.
Been back at it for a couple months, managing to get out most weekends at the moment.
Taking all those years off hasn't done me too much harm, got most of my old tricks back, and been learning at least one new trick every time i've been out.
Its refreshing to see how much skating has blown up in my time away, there are three really good concrete parks in a 20 min drive radius of my house.
A lot of people are getting back on skateboards these days, i'm meeting a lot of fellow skaters in their 30s getting back into it after a similar amount of time away.
Been back at it for a couple months, managing to get out most weekends at the moment.
Taking all those years off hasn't done me too much harm, got most of my old tricks back, and been learning at least one new trick every time i've been out.
Its refreshing to see how much skating has blown up in my time away, there are three really good concrete parks in a 20 min drive radius of my house.
A lot of people are getting back on skateboards these days, i'm meeting a lot of fellow skaters in their 30s getting back into it after a similar amount of time away.
Edited by designforlife on Tuesday 8th October 13:22
Get stuck in and enjoy yourself.
I'm 32 and still skate (albeit blade, but we're old enough now to accept that its all similar right?). Been skating since I was 8, and I've been doing it ever since. Granted, I only get out once every couple of weeks at the moment, as opposed to 6 times a week in my youuuf, but nothing beats a good shred.
Interesting, there has been a huge rise of old-school skaters strapping their boots back on over the last year or so. Great to see. Let us know how you get on!
First few falls are going to hurt, at least a lot more than you probably used to feel, but don't let that put you off. Regular slams and they get easier to brush off. Besides, I love getting home after beating myself up, soak in the bath admiring the well earned war wounds
I'm 32 and still skate (albeit blade, but we're old enough now to accept that its all similar right?). Been skating since I was 8, and I've been doing it ever since. Granted, I only get out once every couple of weeks at the moment, as opposed to 6 times a week in my youuuf, but nothing beats a good shred.
Interesting, there has been a huge rise of old-school skaters strapping their boots back on over the last year or so. Great to see. Let us know how you get on!
First few falls are going to hurt, at least a lot more than you probably used to feel, but don't let that put you off. Regular slams and they get easier to brush off. Besides, I love getting home after beating myself up, soak in the bath admiring the well earned war wounds
Kewy said:
Interesting, there has been a huge rise of old-school skaters strapping their boots back on over the last year or so. Great to see. Let us know how you get on!
Saw a fruitbooter at my local park on the weekend, thought you lot had all died out! 
My only real gripe with these nice parks we have now, is that they get totally overrun by kids on scooters... that was only just starting to become a thing around the time i stopped skating, but has clearly never slowed down.
OP, don't worry about how you look or who is at the park, everyone there is going to be too focussed on what they are doing to pay you any mind, much less be in any way negative... just observe park etiquette and you'll be golden.
I had never skated, yet at the grand old age of around 55, I bought a board and started along the long wooden floored hall upstairs in my old rented place.
I wish I could find the picture of the smashed up bed frame that resulted lol.
I still have the board, it's in me shed. Buggered knee from something else stops me from having another go.
I wish I could find the picture of the smashed up bed frame that resulted lol.
I still have the board, it's in me shed. Buggered knee from something else stops me from having another go.
designforlife said:
Saw a fruitbooter at my local park on the weekend, thought you lot had all died out!
My only real gripe with these nice parks we have now, is that they get totally overrun by kids on scooters... that was only just starting to become a thing around the time i stopped skating, but has clearly never slowed down.
OP, don't worry about how you look or who is at the park, everyone there is going to be too focussed on what they are doing to pay you any mind, much less be in any way negative... just observe park etiquette and you'll be golden.
Mateeeee we're alive and well don't worry about that – just have a quick Google search for 'Winterclash'. It's a jam that happens in Eindhoven in Feb each year, crowds are insane and the atmosphere is like nothing else I've ever experienced.My only real gripe with these nice parks we have now, is that they get totally overrun by kids on scooters... that was only just starting to become a thing around the time i stopped skating, but has clearly never slowed down.
OP, don't worry about how you look or who is at the park, everyone there is going to be too focussed on what they are doing to pay you any mind, much less be in any way negative... just observe park etiquette and you'll be golden.
But yeh, the 'craze' seen from back in the 90's ended a long time ago. Mainly now pockets of bladers up and down the country, very tight nit community though. I can pretty much phone a pal in most major cities in the UK and have a sofa to crash on, come's in handy!
What you're seeing with the scooters is the equivalent craze that rollerblading saw in the 90's and got equal amount of stick for. I try and remind myself that we're all in it for the same thing, and if anything they just need a bit of educating on skatepark etiquette and sending on their way. The reality is that probably 80% of skateparks and 'extreme sports' (I hate that term) shops would be shut now if it wasn't for the scooter craze. I work at Southsea Skatepark and its without a doubt being held afloat by the scooters.
I was really into street skating in the 90s and would tackle sets of 9 or handrails all day with no fear. Drifted away from it when clubs, women and cars came along then the urge came on in my early 30s to try it again.
A few of us dragged our boards out of lofts / garages etc and went to one of our old spots which had a few good blocks and a set of 3 steps just to see if we still had it.
1 of us landed badly down the steps resulting in a compound fracture of his tibia which resulted in an ambulance ride. It was months before he could walk properly and he still has problems 10 years later.
We weren't smart enough to take that as a clear sign to leave memories in the past though and went out again a few weeks later reuslting in someone else spiltting his head from the base of his skull to the crown of his head. The pool of blood spread so quickly while he was lying unconscious we thought he was dead. Luckily it was not the same ambulance crew as had previosuly attended.
I have not set foot on a skateboard again.
A few of us dragged our boards out of lofts / garages etc and went to one of our old spots which had a few good blocks and a set of 3 steps just to see if we still had it.
1 of us landed badly down the steps resulting in a compound fracture of his tibia which resulted in an ambulance ride. It was months before he could walk properly and he still has problems 10 years later.
We weren't smart enough to take that as a clear sign to leave memories in the past though and went out again a few weeks later reuslting in someone else spiltting his head from the base of his skull to the crown of his head. The pool of blood spread so quickly while he was lying unconscious we thought he was dead. Luckily it was not the same ambulance crew as had previosuly attended.
I have not set foot on a skateboard again.
That''s a sh*tter... tbh you probably won't catch me skating street spots any time soon if at all, too fragile to throw myself down stair sets or at hand rails.
I've found it pretty rewarding sticking to flatland tech and low manny pads and ledges at the park, it's been fun getting technical on lower consequence features...still managing to ding my legs up pretty good though, learning no comply shuvits on the weekend resulted in a ton of knee and shin bruises lol.
Also not looking forward to that first rolled ankle!
I'm still aching today after a 3 hour skate on saturday, despite being in good shape from tens of years of snowboarding, there are a few muscle groups which have been rudely awaken by skating and are non too happy about it.
I've found it pretty rewarding sticking to flatland tech and low manny pads and ledges at the park, it's been fun getting technical on lower consequence features...still managing to ding my legs up pretty good though, learning no comply shuvits on the weekend resulted in a ton of knee and shin bruises lol.
Also not looking forward to that first rolled ankle!
I'm still aching today after a 3 hour skate on saturday, despite being in good shape from tens of years of snowboarding, there are a few muscle groups which have been rudely awaken by skating and are non too happy about it.
designforlife said:
That''s a sh*tter... tbh you probably won't catch me skating street spots any time soon if at all, too fragile to throw myself down stair sets or at hand rails.
I've found it pretty rewarding sticking to flatland tech and low manny pads and ledges at the park, it's been fun getting technical on lower consequence features...still managing to ding my legs up pretty good though, learning no comply shuvits on the weekend resulted in a ton of knee and shin bruises lol.
Also not looking forward to that first rolled ankle!
I'm still aching today after a 3 hour skate on saturday, despite being in good shape from tens of years of snowboarding, there are a few muscle groups which have been rudely awaken by skating and are non too happy about it.
Meanwhile – https://www.instagram.com/p/Bl8bFVGFPI6/I've found it pretty rewarding sticking to flatland tech and low manny pads and ledges at the park, it's been fun getting technical on lower consequence features...still managing to ding my legs up pretty good though, learning no comply shuvits on the weekend resulted in a ton of knee and shin bruises lol.
Also not looking forward to that first rolled ankle!
I'm still aching today after a 3 hour skate on saturday, despite being in good shape from tens of years of snowboarding, there are a few muscle groups which have been rudely awaken by skating and are non too happy about it.
Sick mate!
I never skated street rails back in the day but i've hit plenty of big ones on a snowboard... debating whether I want to start looking at skatepark rails, or stick to skating ledges for the time being...safety first and all that.
At the moment I'm enjoying putting time into learning stuff on the flat that I couldn't do the first time around... new tricks are actually coming a lot easier than they did when I used to skate, I think it's a mindset thing, and I have a lot more body awareness after so much park focused snowboarding.
I never skated street rails back in the day but i've hit plenty of big ones on a snowboard... debating whether I want to start looking at skatepark rails, or stick to skating ledges for the time being...safety first and all that.
At the moment I'm enjoying putting time into learning stuff on the flat that I couldn't do the first time around... new tricks are actually coming a lot easier than they did when I used to skate, I think it's a mindset thing, and I have a lot more body awareness after so much park focused snowboarding.
designforlife said:
Sick mate!
I never skated street rails back in the day but i've hit plenty of big ones on a snowboard... debating whether I want to start looking at skatepark rails, or stick to skating ledges for the time being...safety first and all that.
At the moment I'm enjoying putting time into learning stuff on the flat that I couldn't do the first time around... new tricks are actually coming a lot easier than they did when I used to skate, I think it's a mindset thing, and I have a lot more body awareness after so much park focused snowboarding.
I have a love/hate relationship with rails, they're not very forgiving! Much prefer a ledge for a chilled session or even a planter with a nice chunky coping in a skatepark. Will occasionally throw myself down a kinked rail or something though and feels great when you get it right.I never skated street rails back in the day but i've hit plenty of big ones on a snowboard... debating whether I want to start looking at skatepark rails, or stick to skating ledges for the time being...safety first and all that.
At the moment I'm enjoying putting time into learning stuff on the flat that I couldn't do the first time around... new tricks are actually coming a lot easier than they did when I used to skate, I think it's a mindset thing, and I have a lot more body awareness after so much park focused snowboarding.
Yeh just do what you enjoy eh! My knees are shot to pieces (already had one lot of surgery) so I try to stay fairly close to the ground these days. Luckily for me the rollerblade scene has got increasingly technical over the last several years, so there is plenty of inspiration for 'safe', albeit insanely difficult, tricks without fighting gravity too much :P
was never much of a skater, preferred bikes when I was younger, but at 45 I've invested in an electric long-board. Not in the same league as park skating, but it's great fun and I'm enjoying it as a commuter tool and a way to pop into town (as well as to the pub, but I rarely have more than one or two so I'm not skating drunk)
it's cool to hear that I'm not the only one on here having ago again, I was meant to go out on Wednesday to the skate park but I have come down with good old fashioned "Man Flu" as a teenager that would never have stopped me!
I have managed to land a relative good Ollie and I didn't break my neck! I quite impressed I got the board off the ground.
I have managed to land a relative good Ollie and I didn't break my neck! I quite impressed I got the board off the ground.
Can't speak for skating, but I've been getting back into mountain biking after a long absence. First time I did it I was wondering if I was too old - didn't seem to have the fitness, the coordination or the balls for the downhills. But the second time I went back was honestly one of the best rides I've ever had, launching it off the jumps as if I was 15 again. Admittedly, climbing back up the hills takes me a little longer than it used to, but that can be sorted with a bit of training. Based on that, I'd say go for it.
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