[modi123_1]

I'm sitting at work hunting down bugs and I started thinking about picking up skateboarding as a hobby and outlet for more physical activity.

I have some apprehensions though:
- the outdoors and I have been less and less friendly since I am working long hours keeping up with work...
- that and I am almost thirty..
- and I am a giant of a man.. (six foot-seven... and about three-fourty).

So the obvious needs are a helmet, gloves, and elbow pads. Are knee pads really worth it?

One of the shops near me sells longboards as well as regular decks... Would any particular option be better given my size vectors?

Anyone else wander off and pickup something 'them damn kids' do at an odd age? How about skateboard in general?

Edit: I'll preemptively strike myself - yes I know knee pads have other functional uses as well - supplementing incoming and getting favors to push projects along.

This post has been edited by modi123_1: 27 July 2010 - 01:45 PM

[sbromley]

I tried skateboarding for a while. I bought really crappy boards so they kept breaking. It was pretty sweet when you actually landed something or moved without falling on you butt. It takes a lot of work though, and after I broke my third cheap board I gave up.

I'd say give it a whirl though. Why not?

This post has been edited by sbromley: 27 July 2010 - 01:47 PM

[tlhIn`toq]

If you fall forward at your size, and break a wrist then you are out of work since you can't type/mouse. Right?
I broke the navicular bone in my left wrist and was in a cast for 6 weeks. Thankfully I was military at the time and it didn't affect my job.

After a motorcycle accident I had a broken collar bone, scapula and all the ribs on the right side. That was 12 weeks. I managed to still code (albeit slower) using Dragon Naturally Speaking.

Personally I find the gun range to be a great place to release the day's stresses. And a lot less detrimental to my ability to earn an income.

http://web.me.com/tl..._new_AR-15.html

This post has been edited by tlhIn'toq: 27 July 2010 - 01:53 PM

[Christoph]

My buddy loves his longboard, and for a guy your size it might be a better idea than some tiny little piece of wood.

[modi123_1]

tlhIn, on 27 July 2010 - 02:52 PM, said:

If you fall forward at your size, and break a wrist then you are out of work since you can't type/mouse. Right?
I broke the navicular bone in my left wrist and was in a cast for 6 weeks. Thankfully I was military at the time and it didn't affect my job.

After a motorcycle accident I had a broken collar bone, scapula and all the ribs on the right side. That was 12 weeks. I managed to still code (albeit slower) using Dragon Naturally Speaking.

Personally I find the gun range to be a great place to release the day's stresses. And a lot less detrimental to my ability to earn an income.

http://web.me.com/tl..._new_AR-15.html

I'll chalk that up to "knee pads, elbow pads, and wrist guards are a must".

[Magixion]

Fortunately, I am still quite young (22) and almost all of the people I hang out with or associate with have nothing to do with programming or anything technology related and are quite into sports. This keeps me in shape by still going to the gym to lift weights, play tennis, basketball, etc.

Personally, I never really got into skateboarding or anything, but it looks quite fun. In my opinion, the longboard seems like a better idea (simple physics) because of your size.

I will agree with the gun range suggestion too. I love going every now and then and blowing things apart.

[Bacanze]

I'm 21 now, and I still skate every now and then, it's definitely a great workout, tires me out more than the gym does lol!

[modi123_1]

Magixion, on 27 July 2010 - 03:27 PM, said:

Fortunately, I am still quite young (22) and almost all of the people I hang out with or associate with have nothing to do with programming or anything technology related and are quite into sports. This keeps me in shape by still going to the gym to lift weights, play tennis, basketball, etc.

Personally, I never really got into skateboarding or anything, but it looks quite fun. In my opinion, the longboard seems like a better idea (simple physics) because of your size.

I will agree with the gun range suggestion too. I love going every now and then and blowing things apart.

Yeah I am a typical two to three time a week gym rat... I'll go blow the minds off the kids at the 'bc surf and sport' shop and see if they can answer my questions on best boards.

The gun range is fun now and then, but I got my fill out of the boyscouts and off and on duck season with Pops. I sort of phased out getting enjoyment out of things that go bang (I am looking at you too fireworks).

[Choscura]

If it's an option, try snowboarding. the snow is much less damaging to fall on than concrete. otherwise, get a mountain board: they won't throw you off if you hit a tiny pebble going less than 20 mph (personal experience), they've got shocks built in and the big wheels are more comfy, and the frames are much stronger.

Although, you could get a gun and go to the range. The idea isn't that you're going to go kill shit, but shooting- accurate shooting- is a very physically and mentally intensive activity, not unlike some of the meditative parts of kung fu. you have to learn to control your breath, your heartbeat, and bring your entire body to a period of stillness... and then slowly, slowly, squeeze the trigger when you're on target. get some range instruction if you've never shot before, it helps, and give it a try.

[dorknexus]

Try stealing bikes. Great exercise and probably a good source of income.

[modi123_1]

Let me clarify - I am thinking about longboarding and not trick skateboarding... I'm not that stupid to think I can pick that up this late in life and really don't want to.

[JamesConley]

Skateboarding..ahh the memories!

I started skateboarding when I was 5 or 6 after watching Gleaming the Cube. Long story short skateboarding was my LIFE! Everything I did revolved around skateboarding, my shoes, clothes, friends, girls, and weekend trips to the skateparks. I took a bad turn at 9 when I shattered my femur and I was out for about a year and a half, 3 1/2 months traction, 4 months body cast, and the rest of the time in rehab learning how to walk again. After all of that I didn't stop! As for your size, I have always been a bigger guy and the regular boards never stopped me or gave me problems. I feel if your going to take up skateboarding for physical activity than buy a regular board, I say around an 8' or an 8.25 http://bit.ly/c8QBOI <-----Check these out. The longboards are wicked cool but they are strictly for chilling and just riding which is cool but not how you want to start. Get a regular board first then once your comfortable with skating (Ollie, 180's, Pop-Shuv its, etc..) buy a longboard.

Also in the beginning it may take awhile to see if you prefer regular foot or goofy foot style of skating.

Feel free to hit me up with any questions. While I don't skate much anymore I still teach a few kids (nephews friends, etc..) in my neighborhood about the sport. Also you're not to old! I know many older people that skate that are extremely good at it and plenty that are extremely bad at it. Its all about having fun and if you enjoy riding your board not what you can or can't do.

[calebjonasson]

Since you are a heavy set guy check out your local skate shops and inquire about decks with metal sheets/supports inside the deck. Since you are a programmer it would be a good idea to have the writs supports on when you start out. Also, when you fall... (it will happen) try to roll.

[modi123_1]

@jpconleyiv

Stellar info there... I am leaning towards longboarding just because I want to cruise around. I have no particular belief (or desire) that I will be intentionally doing tricks that will break femurs or arms... and the exercise bit - well it would be just an alternative to walking around like an idiot.

I hit up one shop last night.. another more commercialized one tomorrow... I'll find a plank eventually.

[jjsaw5]

My cousin just started skate boarding. Two surgerys a metal plate and some screws and she is now finally able to walk a little.


Personally i've never been a fan of it but hey knock yourself out :-)


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