Are skateboarding,Rollerblading, Rollerskating teenagers sports?

The Game Room
1

I’m trying to talk a relative out of buying rollerblades for the first time. She’s 43!

I had my share of falls and injuries at the roller rink. I was in high school and learned a lot of footwork. Cross pulls, pivots, spins. I had a lot of fun. I gave up skating in my early twenties.

There’s no way I’d try it now. I don’t want a coccyx or back injury. Spiral leg fractures are devastating. I’m not a kid anymore. It would be too tempting to try out my old footwork.

I can still do the running man. :smiley:
Learned in my teens and it’s good exercise.

Maybe roller skating would be safer for a beginner? Wear good padding?

I can only offer advise. She’s going to do whatever she wants.

Can you imagine strapping on roller skates or roller blades in your older years?

Skateboarding? Oh hell No!

2

I loved roller skating. The last time I went I was in my thirties, twenty-something years ago, and I fell so hard I never forgot it. The reason was a false fingernail someone had dropped on the rink, which stopped my wheels. I figured there was no way to guarantee such a thing wouldn’t happen again, and quit for good.

3

No, but they may be performing sports, or they may be good sports if they lose a competition and still congratulate the victor.

4

Yeah, try to talk her into trying quad skates first, then moving up to rollerblades if she still wants to pursue it. The likelihood of breaking an ankle is way too high on blades (let alone wrists, elbows, kneecaps, and legs).

5

I agree. Roller skating is the easiest for beginners.

I never tried roller blades or inline skates. They became popular when I was already finished skating.

6

Is she an athletic, coordinated, physically fit 43? Or is she a sedentary or clumsy 43? Age alone doesn’t answer this question, particularly in your 40s, where there can be a huge range in how active and fit people are.

7

She’s pretty fit Goes to the gym. I’m not sure how coordinated she is.

She will find out quickly wearing skates. I hope she has someone to instruct her and help her balance.

I remember it didn’t take long to learn enough to just slowly go around the rink without falling. I was with friends and they encouraged me. Caught me when needed.

Gosh, that was over 40 years ago. That skating rink closed in the early 90’s

8

43 ain’t old if you’re in reasonable shape. I say go for it. Don’t be stupid about it, get pads, wear a helmet, start slow, get a coach. Otherwise, you’re checking into the old fogey hotel and every year you don’t keep active is a year closer to the grave. And I’m two decades older than your relative!

IMHO, it’s different if she did a little roller skating or whatever when younger. If it was zero, then I’d be kinda leery. If it was a beginner even intermediate level, what the hell, just take it slow. If she was good when younger, the greatest danger is thinking she can still do what should could do back then, and prolly not.

Personal example 1: I was a barely beyond beginner snowboarder (ok skateboarder but had never skiied). went snow boarding a half dozen times in University, went snowboarding a half dozen times 10 years later in Japan, then i went 20 years after that near Seattle. Never had a lesson (except for a couple of chairlift folks that volunteer to show me a few things). I was 5 years out of shape when I restarted at around 52 years old as my youngest kids started skiing. 2nd time I went, I pulled a stomach muscle. But I came back from that, it forced me to get into reasonable shape, and for about the last 10 years, I hit the slopes 30-40 times per season. BUT, I was never good back in the day, so I never have tried to relive my youth and do one “last run” ripping through the trees blindfolded with one arm tied behind my back. This is how a lot of people later in life get injured: retrying what they could do 40 years ago, hadn’t attempted in at least a decade, and thinking they could still do the 360 flips of youth.

Personal example 2: I did 4 years of Kenpo karate pretty seriously from 1978-1982. Second degree brown belt, knew 6 katas, fought in open tournaments and usually advanced a few rounds, taught the beginner class. In other words, I was pretty good. Didn’t do anything and started taking private lessons 40 years later. No where near the same level, but I have relearned 5 of the kata’s and #6 will be done soon. Not sure if I want to join an actual class and start sparring again. Relearning the kata’s and working on all the basics to get back to an okay level first.

Personal example 3: I still backpack. Ok, I don’t carry 45 pound pack for a month solo in Tibet any more. In fact got my first ultralight backpack two weeks ago, and pack out weight without food, beer or water is 10 pounds. But the day I won’t go a few miles on a trail to a mountain lake in nice weather to hang out, make dinner, read kindle, drink a 6 pack (starting in the parking lot), sleep in a tent on a yoga mat, and enjoy the experience, is the day I let everyone in the world know I’m officially old and readying plan B to pull the plug when I can still make the decision.

Plus age. Arthritis creeps in, feet get wider, not as flexible, not as fast, coordination drops, maybe a beer belly, etc. Don’t be stupid about activities that might cripple you for life, but holy moly, 42 ain’t old. And if not now, when?

9

I rollerbladed till I was about 47 (54 now) and could probably still today but developed neuropathy in my feet (not rollerblade related) and it got too painful. Skateboarded a ton in my youth but tried my son’s board a few years back and realized I complete lost the balance I had back then. I’ve been ice skating and quad skating within the past 5 years and managed not to kill myself. Not sure how eager I’d be to do it now days however as I find myself getting more risk adverse.