The current pandemic has forced everyone of all ages to stay indoors, for the most part.
At its peak, no outdoor activities were available to the public. No non essential stores. No outdoor social gatherings. No indoor gatherings.
For many, this required them to kill time somehow. Recently, there has been a massive influx in skaters of all ages. Including older skaters. Whether they had picked up a board in years past, or are simply trying something new out for the first time, the older skater community is growing in the newcomer department.
Skating has always been marketed towards a predominately younger crowd. Teens and young adults. This is seen through advertisements for gear and equipment, age ratings on skateboarding media (such as Tony Hawks Pro Skater 1+2 Remake) and so on. It has often resulted in the infamous statement “you are too old for this.”
Well, Let me tell you, you are not too old to skate. You never are. Tony Hawk is still, to this day, skating. In fact only a few years ago he pulled off his legendary 900 trick just like it was the 90’s all over again. He is in his fifties!
There are countless communities out there on the internet for older skaters. Facebook groups such as “Very Old Skaters” and “Grumpy Old Skaters” help provide those looking for motivation, advice and to simply connect with others similar to them. On “Very Old Skaters”, I asked what brought members of the page back into the world of skating, despite their age.
John Fortenberry said: “I got laid off from my job at the start of coronavirus and had a lot of free time. I was hanging out with my son and I wanted to inspire him to learn something new in life. So I picked up longboarding. A year later and I'm progressing towards downhill freeriding. Best decision I ever made.”
Stefan Turowski said: “I never skated in my youth but six years ago, when I was 44, my buddy and colleague Johann convinced me to step on his longboard. I realised that it might be fun and went to a shop the same day to buy one.”
Tony Bliss said: “Always fancied a longboard. Lockdown and a don’t care attitude gave me the opportunity to get started. Without sounding too melodramatic its been a life changing experience for this particular fifty-year-old. Gained much of my fitness of twenty years ago and its worked wonders for my mental health. Great way to spend time with my grown up son and grandchildren too. Sure, I suffer the aches and pains of an older guy but I have a smile a mile wide and for now the pleasure far outweighs the pain.”
The notion of “Skateboarding is for kids” is dead. It’s irrelevant in this day and age. Skateboarding and its culture have elevated past this. Skating was geared to kids in the 80’s and 90’s. But that generation has grown since then. A person’s passion doesn’t go away as easy as that. Parents have passed on their passion to their children. Their grandchildren.
Skateboarding, as a form of exercise, has a lot of health benefits. physically and mentally. Sure, A few falls and scrapes don't feel good but it is fun. If you’re going to exercise, may as well have fun. Right? Who’s to say you need to be in school still to skate?
Many will pick up boarding again due to the pandemic. Many may seem a little nervous or embarrassed by skating at an older age. Don’t be. This magazine is designed for anybody and everybody. No one is exempt. That’s the beauty of skateboarding. Its never too late. It never will be.
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