Learning To Skateboard by Nicki age 47 and a half….
Coincidence? The book ‘SUCK AT SOMETHING’ by Karen Rinaldi is delivered at the same time as my SmoothStar Surf Trainer!
I emerged from the sea looking as if I had been through a vigorous 2 hour cycle in an industrial washing machine, feeling tired and beaten by the uncatchable waves on the North Cornwall coast. I dragged my jelly legs up the beach towards Sennen Surf Centre. (@sennensurfcentre) Dave the owner/instructor and all round surf aficionado was as always full of praise, enthusiasm and encouragement. I have had quite a few legendary teachers in the last couple of years and all have told me “pop up faster, look up, paddle faster, weight back, weight forward, don’t wipe your nose!” but no-one had ever suggested “GET A SKATEBOARD!” The words hung around in my peripheral consciousness for a good year. A 46 year old learning to skateboard? That was for younger, cooler Californian types surely? But Dave was so completely smirkless in his suggestion and anyway what did I have to lose apart from my pride, some upper layers of skin and/or my life! Hey, if it kept my muscle memory going during these long London stints and potentially keeps me on the waves for more than 5 seconds when I eventually got to the sea, it had to be worth a shot.
1 hour in the water = 1 minute riding a wave. Sennen Cove 2019.
Summer 2019 I turned 47 and it wasn’t some new yoga pants or another candle I was hinting for. Top of my birthday wish list that year was a Johanne Defay Smoothstar surf skate (@smoothstar). The very latest in surf skate technology, endorsed by the French female surf pro, allowing me apparently to get the same excitement on dry land that I could get on a wave. I’d be able to carve and glide smoothly around the parks and streets of North London getting me from a to b at the same time becoming a surf goddess!
Fully padded up for my first spin around Waterlow Park!
My first outing with my new toy was to the local park, with my protective husband insisting I fully armour up in elbow pads, knee pads, wrist guards and his bicycle helmet, making me look like a 47 year old mum rather than the West coast hipster I was hoping to emulate! Although with hindsight even though my technique was all wrong, my confidence grew with every second that I remained upright. After 20 minutes I called it a day thrilled that my limbs, head and dignity were scratch free.
Regents Park, London.
Grateful to my daughters for their restraint in mocking me and over the moon that they were even happy to come along for skate sessions, the summer of 2019 was happily spent out in parks dodging park wardens, old couples and small children.
I’m not sure if my surfing has come on at all due to the hours spent ‘compressing’ and ‘extending’ my middle aged body but I am having so much fun it really doesn't matter. Skating just for skating is enough. As a byproduct skating without a doubt keeps you strong, agile and teaches you that it really is never too late to try something new. Just don’t forget your helmet.