I'll be 52 next Jan 2008. Started riding in 2003/2004 season. 15 years back tried some skiing but never liked it. Was lucky enough to have an excellent coach on my good friend and now crewman Jason (43, fast, reeeaaaallll fast, a velociraptor on a board). We live for our yearly stint of bliss at Whistler/Blackcomb. On my 21st day out (first season) I did my first jump (out of the blue). Believe it or not 45 feet horizontal 9 feet vertical. I saw it, I took it, I did. I just let Newton take me the ballistic route. That hooked Jason into doing air as well. Not withstanding how fast and advance freerider he was he had always stayed away from air. I on the other hand tried riding because I just had to do those air tricks I saw people do on TV. I just had to. Nowdays I switchride and do 180 off medium ramps. I am not too sure that I will eventually do 720 off XL's but this season, my 4th (I missed last) I will be doing 360's for sure and 540's possibly. I have no way to describe the trepidation and unbridaled fear I feel when facing a ramp but god...I just love the feeling. There is nothing like hiking back to the top of the launch and being received with looks of approval and words like: that was smooth dude! I find that any tirck is possible as long as I see it in my head before hand (undortunately I still not see 720's that clearly, lol). I guess age is not a problem as long as one is prepared to pay the price in pain. Actually, massive pain sometimes and a couple of broken ribs the first two season. Beyond that I wish you all smooth rides, endless carvings, lots of pow, and enjoy the view from above but don't try opening the windows -not a good idea! Did I mentioned that we love trees? and that following Jason just a tinny little bit off bounds we got lost at Whistler. We made it to safety when it was already dark. Scary s..t. but love to be able to tell the story. One more, again at Whistler, on my second season... and facing the cliff of death...I felt like I was soon going to become a human pinball hitting stupms a trees on my way down. Was I ever scared.
matthew
Monday 10th December 2007 at 11:06:49 AM
sumoboy Rank: Blue Slope Beginner #Posts: 53 #Points: 53
I'm 26. Snowboarding makes me feel like I am 7. I love it.
Mloren.....WOW. I too hope to be riding well into my 50s. I was actually just chatting with my best bud the other day on the way to our local mountain about when we think we would have to "hang up our boards". I said 70!
More power to you!
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Pray for snow!
Friday 14th December 2007 at 2:25:14 AM
Snow Wolf Rank: Super Member #Posts: 326 #Points: 327
Way to go mloren! I am 42 and I started when I was 39. I am a firm believer that people get old when they stop moving. So much about age is attitude. Sure, you have to approach some things a little different as you get older, but as long as you can still remember how to have fun like a little kid, you will age much slower than those poor souls who have lost that ability to play!
Sunday 2nd December 2007 at 6:54:21 AM
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Hehe.
By the way, I'm 20!
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But very "young" looking.
LOL.
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Monday 10th December 2007 at 11:06:49 AM
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Mloren.....WOW. I too hope to be riding well into my 50s. I was actually just chatting with my best bud the other day on the way to our local mountain about when we think we would have to "hang up our boards". I said 70!
More power to you!
Pray for snow!
Friday 14th December 2007 at 2:25:14 AM
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