You see, other than my unique style of riding (“OG Ce Style”), what’s also really cool about my Adventures in Ripsticking, is my unique perspective – that of a professional geek grandpa.
Mine is not the profile of the average ripsticka, for sure. Most of them are also waaaaaay younger than I. Which makes me, and folks like me, a rarity. An outlier. Waaaaaay out. Or as I have been known to say,
“…it ain’t something you see everyday. Maybe once in a blue moon…”.
This age difference molds my perspective and influences how I engage in the sport mentally, physically, and spiritually. For example, from a mental perspective, it can feel kinda awkward watching ripsticking videos and communicating with others interested in the sport, since they tend to be so much younger than I; more my grand kid’s or son’s ages, than mine. This perspective, encourages me to be extra careful online.
So, mostly to myself, I persist. Because it is really awesome to be a professional geek grandpa, spinning thru time & space on a board, with only 2 wheels.
Coming into any activity or sport with this perspective, also means that products and services may not necessarily be made or available with your profile in mind. Equipment and supplies such as helmets that fit adult heads, and wheels that carry adult weights, such as mine may be hard to find. This was very frustrating at first. However, over the years, I have figured out how, what, and where to get supplies and equipment that suit me. I try to share this kind of information in “How We Role” and “OG Ce Preferred Providers” posts.
And then there are those pesky physical limitations that come with age and years of rolling down bunny slopes in spurts and falls, that I must also be mindful of. It seems kids are always tryin to jump this and trick that. Or trying to get from point A to Z, as fast as they can. They jump from one board to another while still moving, and grind curbs and the edges of things. They speed down long, twisting hills, scary fast.
I recognize that my body is not nearly as resilient as it used to be – or as that of 8 to 40 year olds. This too influences “How i Roll”. For example, I wear a back brace whenever i ride and remind myself to be careful, because i can easily be just a fall away from hip surgery or something. I’m guessing this probably isn’t something your kids think of or grab when they go to ride their boards.
All of this may seem ominous, but there is a bright side and that is that – everything I do, I do so i can ride longer and more better; to help make the falls be not so bad; and to build the strength needed to bounce back up when I do fall. So I exercise regularly, practicing yoga and stretching for flexibility; Tae bo & jogging for aerobic; and TotalGym and a gymnast training apparatus (monkey bar) for upper body strength.
Finally, ripsticking OG Ce Style is a blessing, to me! I ride for the pure joy of it. Sometimes I literally feel so much joy when I ride, that I can’t contain it and have to stop & step off and away from the board. Rarely do I ride for a workout, although that may be an added bonus and often the outcome.
Riding a ripstick like a skate board misses the essence of what is so unique & beautiful about them – i.e. riding the wave of momentum created by the arc of 2 wheels. Learning to control that arc and ride it to its natural conclusion, yields a Ying and Yang type flow, like riding the Tao, moving meditation. I imagine its akin to surfing a constant wave where you create the wave, or dancing from edge to edge on a snowboard down a powdered diamond or downhill slalom.
So you see, rippin it OG Ce Style is a mental, physical, & spiritual expression from the extremely rare perspective of a professional geek grandpa ripsticka. Riding that wave and controlling the momentum created by the arc of the wheels to create a relaxing flow is such a beautiful thing to experience (and watch or so i have been told).
For me, the original OG Ripsticka, Adventures in Ripsticking is about InJoying the ride, swimming thru space & time in the moment, and being mindful of how blessed i am to be able to experience this Thing @ this stage of my life (55+).
Namaste
Leave a Reply