skateboarding

Summer Olympics 2021 – Skateboarding

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It’s finally here! Skateboarding competitions at the Tokyo Summer 2021 Olympics. As a newbie/oldie skateboarder myself, I am interested in watching this new competition.

First off, there will be two types of skateboarding competitions to watch. One is street, the other is park. The park skateboarders will have 45 seconds to impress the judges performing their tricks, skating in the deep concrete bowls. They will have three attempts at their best score. The street skateboarders will be skating on an “urban” course made up of stairs, benches, planters, rails, etc. that will simulate the terrain of the average street skater. They have to skate the course two different ways, are timed just like the park skaters, and have tricks as well. Oh boy!

At last, there is no competition for newbie/oldies, such as myself, who are just proud to be doing kick turns and cruising around. So, I will continue to enjoy my laid-back skating and cheer on the competitors. I am especially interested in my fellow street skaters’ competitions. Go Team U.S.A.!

The Men’s Street competition is on July 25th, the women’s street on July 26th. Women’s park will be on August 4th and Men’s park on August 5th.

The U.S. Olympic Team competing in park are: Jordyn Barratt, Cory Juneau, Heimana Reynolds, Bryce Wettstein, Zion Wright and Brighton Zeuner. The U.S. Olympic Team competing in street are: Mariah Duran, Jagger Eaton, Jake Ilardi, Nyjah Huston, Alexis Sablone and Alana Smith. Good-luck everyone!

As always, Happy Skating!

Still Skateboarding at My Age!

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It was brought to my attention that I needed to do a follow-up post on my original post: https://wordpress.com/post/anotherdaywithjulie.home.blog/3456 ‘Learning to Skateboard at My Age? Why Not!’. I see that my original post was May 27, 2020, almost a year ago. Well lo and behold, yes, I am still at it.

So, from my starting point, almost a year ago, I have come a long way. Starting with driveway guidance by holding my son’s arm to being able to stand on the board myself seemed a big accomplishment back then. I thought myself a real wiz when I could go down the driveway and make a turn to come back. I even learned kick turns. Then I was on the actual road, heading down to the culdesac and back. My son and I even took an outing down a few streets where I learned how to slow down on hills and stop the board without letting it fly into the bushes.

My biggest feat of all so far and my goal really, was accomplished a couple of days ago on Mother’s Day. My son drove us down to the beach and we rode our boards around the bay. Beautiful day for it – nice breeze, gorgeous blue skies, sailboats on the bay, lots to take in. But safety first, not only did I embrace my wrist pads and helmet, I also donned a face mask. I may be brave enough to skateboard at my age, but I’m not brave enough to go maskless.

Now, a couple of days later, the old bones are saying perhaps I went a little too far. I thought I was in good shape, after all I do yoga every morning, but skateboarding does use a lot of muscles, especially if you’re not going downhill. So, my new goal will be to get on the board a little more often and a little further each time. Got to build up my endurance if I hope to be in the Olympics some day.

Skateboarding at my age, proving you’re never to old to try something new. As always, Enjoy the Ride!

Skateboarding at the Olympics!

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So I did a little research on my skateboard trucks. There was the name Chris Joslin on them. Well, I had to find out what kind of dude this guy was. Afterall, his name is on my board.

I found out Chris Joslin lives in SoCal. Hey, so do I! He is of course a skateboarder. Hey, so am I! He is a really good skateboarder as a matter of fact. I watched some videos of him. So good in fact that he has brands like Independent putting his name on their trucks. Oh, and he is due to be in the Olympics as well. Skateboarding in the Olympics! Well…the Olympics that were supposed to happen until the CoronaVirus hit and put a hold on things. I wonder…since the Olympics will be postponed…would there be enough time for me to train? I can, after all, skate my driveway and street. Ok, my kick turns could use a little work but hey… Just kidding. I can not do any tricks. But since becoming a skate Betty, watching the videos of Chris Joslin makes me appreciate what talent and skill skateboarding takes. I am glad skateboarding finally made it to the Olympics. I will tune in to cheer on Team USA when the time comes.

I also saw in the recent National Geographic Magazine an article about skateboarding. Very interesting. More girls are getting into skateboarding these days. I guess I am on trend. Well, these kids make skateboarding look so easy, but believe me, it takes a lot of practice, skill, drive, and most likely bandages to get good enough to make it to the Olympics. After getting my board, I know it is not as easy as it looks. Sometimes the easiest way to appreciate something is to try it for yourself.

As always, Happy Skating!

I Have Earned My Wheels

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As I mentioned in my earlier post ‘Learning to Skateboard at My Age? Why Not!’, I have taken-up skateboarding. It has become an almost nightly thing with me now. My husband was sweet enough to gift me my own board. I no longer have to borrow my son’s board. I have my own wheels.

The skateboard was not bought as a complete, but in pieces that we chose and then assembled. I not only got a lesson in how to ride, but how to put together a skateboard as well. Needed are a deck, grip tape, trucks, risers, wheels, bearings, and screws. Oh, and two handy guys that know how to put this all together. Of course, one can just get it assembled at the skate shop. But then the guys do not get to have any fun.

I really like my new board. It is a super smooth ride. Thanks guys!

My board. Sweet!
My adorable bear cut-out grip tape! This grip tape comes in goofy or regular. I’m a goofy.

Learning to Skateboard at My Age? Why Not!

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I read recently where the Queen of England is in her 90’s and still rides horses. Well that is impressive! As I quarantined in my yard, I watched a young man ride by on a skateboard with a straw brimmed lifeguard hat on. He looked relaxed and like he was having a good time. Something in me said, “You should give this a try!”

I should give a little background on my skateboarding history. I tried to skateboard once when I was a kid. I stepped onto my cousin’s skateboard and fell smack on my behind onto the cement garage floor. I never tried skateboarding again or wanted to until the other day when the guy in the lifeguard hat made it look so enjoyable. Being in quarantine also seems the perfect time to try something new.

I knew exactly who to go to for my first lesson. Believe me, I was not going to try this on my own! My son got his first skateboard at four years old. He is very patient and was more than happy to take on the task of teaching his mom how to skateboard.

I showed up at my first lesson wearing my Vans skate shoes and skate helmet instead of a lifeguard hat, eager to learn. We started off by discussing the parts of the board and what foot I naturally prefer for the board. I said my right foot. Apparently, that is called ‘goofy’ in skateboarding lingo. So I am a goofy skateboarder, which makes perfect sense to me. I am not naturally good at balance, so instead of falling on my behind again, I chose to support myself by holding onto my son’s shoulder. That worked and made me more confident.

By the third lesson, I was feeling better about things and just needed to hold my son’s hand. The next lesson came and I just needed him to spot me in case I fell backwards. Now, I am proud to say, I can skate on my own! I am working on my turns by leaning with my feet and my kick turns as well.

As with anything, to get better, practice is the key. I have been getting out there a little every day. Skateboarding really is a lot of work and uses a lot of muscles so I’m taking it slow, a little each day. I do not have the desire to jump, flip, or do anything crazy. I just find it fun to ride and work on my turns. My goal is to take the board to the boardwalk by the beach some day in the future when quarantines are a thing of the past.

I still have a lot to learn, however, I have improved so much in the short amount of time I have been taking my lessons. I am glad I decided to try something new even though it was a bit scary at first. I am thankful for such a good teacher as well. Happy Skateboarding!