It is still scary as the board starts rolling to the other side and I am in “free roll”. What is helping is being very gentle and not making any sudden moves. Also, putting the body at lower profile by bending at the knees and keeping them flexible.

John Mcgehee had given me an invaluable advice once – about the need to stop atrophying of muscle strength, flexibility and balance as I grow older. In a bit to focus on balance I got this thing. It is a simple board and a roller. It has stops underneath on either end – so the board will not slip off the roller completely.

Also, Sharmila is refusing to buy me a One Wheel. Something about I have too many wheels in the garage, evidently. Let me see if my ability to keep balance might sway her vote.

BTW, this thing is scary for sure. After some practice, I can keep myself in balance for a couple of seconds without rolling off to one side. Have you ever tried anything like this?

I had just finished wrapping up the Board meeting when Matt Moore asked me “Can you swing by my office for a second?” I figured there was a quick piece of business to attend to.

Instead, he gifted me with this longboard! One of the best gifts I have ever received. He is a long boarder himself. And certainly one of the most empathetic, thoughtful person. He had seen form my posts that I was trying to gain skills in skateboarding. We had talked about long boarding during many of my prior trips to SFO.

Today, I am a proud owner of one.

Matt was kind enough to suggest that he ship it out to me instead of lugging it thru the airport.

I can’t wait for it now to arrive in Atlanta and commence learning more skills!!

Went back to skateboarding park today. After a long time.

You know how they say that once you learn biking, you will never forget it? Well, you can add skateboarding to that. I was wondering if I would remember anything from last year. Turns out the balancing came with the first attempt itself. Picking up speed, on the other hand, still frightens me!!

Today nobody was there in the rink. Used the main area. Made quite a few mistakes while trying to increase speed. Fortunately did not fall down – came fairly close once though. Also tried mount-dismount motion (three times) in one roll. Not coming as naturally yet…

Need more practice!

That is how she described me as she sent this video to a common friend. Tried out Union Hill Park skating rink for the first time. Took her there in case I came back with some extra pieces of bone.

There were two young guys practicing their tricks. To save myself from too much embarrassment, I went and introduced myself to them first.

“How long have you guys been doing this?”
“Oh! about 4 years.”
“Cool. I am just getting started. I am too old for this. But I want to try.”

Instead of laughing it away, the younger kid did a whole old man thingy on me – “It does not matter how old you are. You gotta do it as long as you are having fun”.

I was not expecting that from a young kid.

“Thanks for the encouragement, man!”, I said and went off to my corner.

After I was done practicing, the kids gave me a couple of tips on how to pick up the board without bending. They were doing it in a fluid motion. I was dropping the board all over the place!!

But it was fun! And a young guy once told me to keep doing it as long as I was having fun!!

I think I am going to visit the skating rink tomorrow when the kids are not around to laugh at me to try longer distance than my driveway…

Tried to bend the knees and lower the body while going (gentle) downhill. Still very afraid of picking up speed.