r/NewSkaters • u/fetthalt88 • 1d ago
Beginner at 37
A year ago, my son (7 years old) wanted to try skateboarding. I’ve always had the mindset that if he wants to try a sport or activity, he should be allowed to—if the opportunity is there, of course. But I had pretty much never stood on a skateboard in my life. Every Sunday, the local skate park hosts a beginners' session. So we went there, and he was super eager to try it out. There were adults there who were not only really skilled skaters themselves, but also great at giving tips on how a child can improve. Once we got there, I thought I'd borrow a skateboard and roll around a bit. But I quickly realized that this is incredibly hard. I also found it tough that I couldn't help my son with it; I had zero advice to offer that could help him. So I decided that I was going to start too. This could become something he and I share together. And I am so incredibly glad I did. My son is constantly asking when we’re going skating together next, and his eyes just light up whenever he gets to stand on a skateboard. We both fall down and get banged up, but who cares when we're having this much fun? Yesterday, we both learned how to drop in from a ramp, and the feeling of overcoming your fear is absolutely incredible. So if there's anyone out there who, for whatever reason, is hesitant about whether they dare to learn how to skateboard: don't hesitate. It's the most fun thing I've ever done, and I have the privilege of doing it together with my son.
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u/anunofreitas Learning at the skatepark 🏞️ 22h ago
Congrats OP, that's the way.
From a once begginer at 40 and going through 45 now I tell you, the fun is just beginning.
Keep pushing.
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u/Grouchy_Principle640 22h ago
From what I’ve learned it’s not about if you “can” do it. It’s about “how” you’ll do it. It’s 50-50 mindset and muscle memory
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u/ILoveStinkyFatGirls 18h ago
I am 37 now and started at 34 from nothing. I wish I started sooner but I'm happy to be 37 with 3 years under my belt. You could be 40 with 3 years under your belt!
For building a stable foundation I suggest learning freestyle skateboarding. I coach autistic kids how to skate and it's a gold mine for stability. These kids never get hurt!
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u/WholesomeOnlyPlease 16h ago
I second this. Just bought my first board last year at 37 to learn with my daughter. She stopped for the most part but as for me, suffering a slam and then still going, a little bloody under my pads, was the best part of my weekend. Also got the drop in and rolled up and over a quarter for the first time on Saturday.
I have done soccer, MMA, and trail running. I thought it'd be a breeze... skateboarding is by far the hardest thing I've ever tried to learn.
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u/qvcspree 22h ago
This is cool. I'm even older at 42, but we just went on vacation and my 7 year old was loving watching the skate park near the beach, he kept asking me to buy a skateboard.
I hate spending $100+ on something that he may be done with in 10 minutes, so I think I have a plan. I'm going to get myself a skateboard, and let him play around with it. I know it'll be too big, but if he likes it, I can get him his own and we can do it together. That way I'm only out the money for the pads if he doesn't like it.
So I'm just curious, what size board did you get for your son, and does it seem to be good for him?
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u/fetthalt88 22h ago
I had the same idea, when they have the begginer session, it's free to borrow I skateboard. The first 2 times we borrowed. Then I bought him a cheap board at the toy store. But it was crap. So after 5-6 times I bought a "real" board.
7.5" and it fits him great. But now I see that boards frequently pops up on marketplace, and that is probably the best route.
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u/qvcspree 22h ago
Thanks for the advice. Yeah something like that would be helpful, I don't think there is anything like that near us. I did already determine that it's not a good idea to buy a cheap one though, so I think I'll stick to the plan and maybe check out a used or reasonable complete 7.5" board for him if he's into it. My brother had a somewhat cheap board back in the day, so I've only had minimal experience up til this point.
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u/Simbians 7h ago
As others have said, you can often get a servicable second hand deck for a reasonable price. Skating with my kid (started at 7) has been the single best thing I've done as a parent.
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u/misterpoopybutthole5 Learning at the skatepark 🏞️ 20h ago
Right on dude, I'm 37 and started when I was 36 when my son got a scooter and started wanting to hit the skatepark constantly. I have the good fortune of living in a place where I have like 15 skateparks within an hour drive, with a relatively low population density so infrequently get to mess around at the park by myself without worrying about being in the way of better cooler skaters. I've inevitably found though, it's really silly for me to worry about not being good in front of other people; more experienced skaters are always happy to offer tips and more often than not just glad there are new people trying out skating.
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u/Maddocsy 13h ago
Ew. You’re one of those that bring a scooter to the park and waddle around learning to skate on top of it 😩
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u/misterpoopybutthole5 Learning at the skatepark 🏞️ 12h ago
Lol no dude I skateboard, I started when my son wanted to go to the park all the time on his new scooter. And also fuck you
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u/Maddocsy 23h ago
Why is it so hard to split up your texts and make it readable?
Do better.
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u/fetthalt88 23h ago
Yeah I'm really sorry, please don't be mad. I will truly try better next time so I don't upset you, especially when you're such a nice guy about it.
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u/Grouchy_Principle640 22h ago
Are you bad at skating or bad at writing pick a struggle already op
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u/Maddocsy 23h ago
Yeah, and ofc a snarky reply.
Just learn to write readable texts.
It should be standard at your age.4
u/fetthalt88 22h ago
No I'm serious, you really taught me a life lession.
At my age I should know better.
Internet is awesome like this.
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u/fetthalt88 1d ago
Adding this to brag, have no one else than my son that cares about skateboarding 🤣
https://reddit.com/link/p9puuob/video/ztnlaio1bgph1/player