I'm 42, been riding skis of all sorts for 16 years. Started riding standups about 2 years ago, and I am definitely addicted. I've tore up my shoulder landing on my bars on my old VXR, got a rotator cuff injury from a spill off my Blaster, blew out my ankle on my SXR, and that's not to mention the pain in my lower back after a great day out on the water-and many days after the ride. I've been to Daytona three years in a row, one of those years in so much back pain I was doped up on Percocet and Tylenol just so I could make the drive...once I was in the water, I felt like a new man.
I'm not into rolls, backflips or other crazy maneuvers. I just like to ride and watch others do the fancy stuff. I plan on riding well into old age- I will be the guy pulling up to the boat ramp at age 70 on the latest stand-up. I've realized that adapting to age sometimes means reducing expectations of your limitations-I know I can't be doing half of the things the 20 years olds are doing, and I don't want to try. But I sure as heck ain't gonna stop doing the things that give me enjoyment and happiness in my life- after all, what would life be if you stopped doing things for fear of always getting hurt? Then you might as well sit on a porch and in a rocking chair waiting for your day to come. Get out there, do the things you enjoy, but do them within the scope of your ability. You can still have a good time and avoid the ER!!
ancake:
