Every time I have a birthday coming up, I feel an urge to share my perspective on skateboarding to younger skaters… I can’t relate to my teenage (and younger) friends about much these days, but we can all relate to skateboarding. Below is a copy of a message that I wrote to some online skaters I know, most of which are half my age and weren’t even born when I started skating roughly 22 years ago:

Enjoy skating at the level that you’re at and don’t let tricks frustrate you. I promise that you will progress naturally as long as you stay on board and skate whenever you can. Don’t ever compare your skating to anyone else’s, because all that matters is that you enjoy being on your board. Push yourself when you feel like it. There are all kinds of ways to manipulate a skateboard on just about every kind of terrain… consider skateboarding an exploration rather than a challenge you feel that you’re required to meet. If someone tells you you suck at skating, tell them to ‘eff off and continue enjoying your board. The relationship you have with skating can last your entire life as long as you keep up your end. Skateboards aren’t to be stared at, they’re to be skated on. Just keep that in the back of your mind and be part of the next generation of older skateboarders.

I get some surprised looks when people find out that I’m an active skateboarder at nearly 33 years of age… but what else am I supposed to be doing? Drinking beer and watching the game? That’s fine and all, but if I can skate, why shouldn’t I?

Anyway, that’s it… just keep with it and skate for yourself.