skateboarding in SD (San Diego: fit in, skatepark, how much)

[treevernal]

I was wondering about the skateboarding culture here in SD? I am 28 years old and would really like to try skateboarding as it looks like a lot of fun, but I wonder if I am too "old" or that I don't fit in with the people who do skateboard. I know I shouldn't care, but I was just wondering if there are some unwritten rules about beginner skateboarding I should know?

I just moved to OB which I love and there is a really great skate park around the corner from me but most of the people there look half my age!

I grew up as a kid with really strict parents telling me that I wasn;t allowed to skateboard as most of the kids we knew who did it were into drugs/smoking; so I feel like I missed out. Now that I call the shots in my own life it's something I wanna try without looking like an idiot.

Advice? Perhaps look into lessons?

[oddstray]

At the skateboard park near here it looks like it's all kids. I think sometimes they have set aside times for smaller kids. Maybe one of the skateboard parks has a set aside time for adults who are learning?

Yeah, it sounds like lessons is your best bet.

And looking like an idiot can be fun - it reminds you to quit being so serious and laugh at yourself once in a while.

[shmoov_groovzsd]

Originally Posted by oddstray

At the skateboard park near here it looks like it's all kids. I think sometimes they have set aside times for smaller kids. Maybe one of the skateboard parks has a set aside time for adults who are learning?

Yeah, it sounds like lessons is your best bet.

And looking like an idiot can be fun - it reminds you to quit being so serious and laugh at yourself once in a while.

^^ This is well said
Playing idiot should be mandatory protocol for a self check up. This is something I have tons of practice in

[Clevelandgal]

Trust me you are not too old. There are men well over 40 riding around, not just for fun but for transportation.this has actually been discussed in other threads, but not in this context.

[NorCal Dude]

All the guys riding around at 40 or 30 are dudes who skated in the 90's and 2000's. It takes years of craft. It's practically an art. And most of those guys are content to carve the bowl a few times and many of them rock knee pads... their bodies can't hold up like they could at 16.

Skateboarding is NOT a hobby I would suggest trying to pick up at 28. Unless you are just talking about riding the thing cruising around. Try surfing (longboard).

Skateboarding strikes me as similar to gymnastics. Peak years between 16-19 when you have the perfect mix of stamina and flexibility.

[Sassberto]

Pad up and learn how to ride transitions, learn how to slide out on your knees. You can seriously kill yourself at this age if you barney all over the place. I recommend Memorial skatepark in Logan, it's got the best kiddie bowl in SD. OB is slow and very crowded.

go to the parks early on weekdays when kids are in school. Early AM weekends is usually pretty deserted. If you show up at 2PM on a saturday you are going to end up just being in everyone's way. watch the flow of the park, where people line up for runs, the street guys, the guys skating the bowls are all taking turns, find another begginner and session an obstacle out of the way. Just work a little quarterpipe section over and over and take a line that you are comfortable with while you build up to bigger and faster lines, you need to ride fast with confidence to get in the mix with a lot of people riding at the same time

Most old men sessions are pretty tame, but later in the day is when it gets hot. Skateboarders are surprisingly welcoming, it's a hard sport so everyone needs to get a turn. just don't be in the way and don't annoy people, you might need to sit it out if you get 3-4 guys getting into a session.

And yes me and the 4 year old boy haul ass around the princess del cerro park, I can still crack an ollie and slide a good ten feet.

[kettlepot]

I know nothing about Board culture, so take this with a grain of salt, but so long as the park is slow, and there are only a couple of young guys there, ask the kids for help. I bet they will think it's really cool that an old guy is asking them for advice. Just watch out when they seek your help in scoring them a 12 pack of beer.

[treevernal]

Thanks for the advice guys! I think I might hire someone for lessons afterall and maybe talk to someone at a skateshop. Lol, I love how I'm an "old guy" at 28, when did that happen?? :P

[bounty80]

It is amazing how much harder concrete feels when you fall at 28 than it did at 16.

[GMUAlum08]

i'm wondering about surfing actually..

do people of all ages surf in San Diego or is it only younger "Surfer Dude" types?

also, do surfers get all huffy if you accidentally wander into their pissing grounds?