How to Progress in skateboarding over 30 Years Old 

One more try, the biggest lie in Skateboarding.

I'm 30 and I just learned switch crooks and b/3 360's. My suggestions would be: 1.) Cupsole shoes. Vulc shoes hurt too much and it kept me from skating as much. 2.) Aftermarket insoles. I bought FP Gamechanger insoles and my feet haven't hurt since. 3.)Stretch. If I thoroughly stretch before skating I ALWAYS get more of what I want to do done. 4.) Water. LOTS OF IT. I didn't have to drink as much when I was younger for some reason. 5.) Patience.

35 years old and just got back on the board. Took an 15-20 year break, no biggie. Thought I'd jump right on and hit four step like the old days....I was laying in bed the night before I bought my new board fantasizing the tricks that I was going to do when I got it. Unfortunately, I busted my ass as soon as I stepped on. Lol all good. 35 is the new 15.

I'm 35 and I took a 20 year break in skating. I'm not great but I'm slowly progressing.. My biggest fear is hurting myself and not being able to work. when I was a kid, I could care less.

I started skating at 33. I’m now 40. I will never stop. All my progression has been at over 30. Lol

Stumbled upon this video and being a 37 yr old skateboarder thought, "oh man, there are more of us!" After watching half the video i got stoked and literally abandoned what I was working on at my desk, got in my truck, and went to the skate park down the street for 30 minutes (where I landed some tricks I've been trying to work on!) - Many thanks for the motivation man! Keep it up!

“The obsession has to be greater than the fear” -Ben Degros

Man, you’re a hero Thank you for giving me hope 🙏 I’m 27 years old and just started skateboarding a week ago

i'm skating at 58

These videos are great motivation. I'm 34 and just got a fresh complete board. I've had a 20 year on/off relationship with only the basics, and I'm actually kind of glad I was never that technically good. Every time I pick it up again after a few years I quickly achieve something new, basic, but new. I feel very at home on a board, and can now have safe (ish) fun just trying to master shove its, riding bowls, jumping over small things and learning basic flips. I WILL NAIL THE KICKFLIP

gET THIS MAN SOME WAX FOR THAT LEDGE

At 42 I'm one month back into skating. Many scrapes and aching joints but I do feel my flexibility, strength, and tricks improving. On my aching days, I just practice my board control with the most simple tricks. I'm so happy to be back. Your videos have added much inspiration. Thanks!

I will be 43 in a few weeks and I started skating with my daughter about five years ago. It's one of the best decisions I have ever made. I regret that I waited for so long to get up on the board, but I am still progressing and learning new stuff all the time. I am currently struggling with treflips, and I have done so for over a year. I am skating and having fun about four times each week, but I definitely feel my body's limitations, and sometimes I need to skip the flip tricks and focus on low impact tricks like shuvits and bigspins etc. I don't know how long I am going to be able to keep this up, but I am hoping that it will be for a long long time. Great video man!

As a third shift worker and father of two, thank you for the advice. It gets hard but we just have to keep pushing. Luckily I met my wife at the skatepark and skateboarding is almost as important to her as it is to me.

Sooo relatable! You articulated that perfectly! I’ve started skating again at 34… 20 years off the board! Slowly coming back! You’re like my hero dude 😆

I too want to start again at the age of 30 and was kind of emberrassed... Was.. because seing this video and reading some of the comment here have motivated me even more to start again. Appreciate the video and respect to the dudes and dudettes who are not young bucks anymore that are picking up the deck again! Have fun and never stop getting up!

I'm 42 an 200lbs heavier haven't skated in 25+yrs can't wait to lose the wieght an jump on a board

Hey man I’ve been binging your channel in the rainy days of Texas and I really enjoy your content. You’re a cool ass dude and your kids are definitely lucky to have a cool dad like you

Hell yes man ! I'm 28 just started back up a year ago after 13 years of not skating. Keep it up man! Stay motivated😁👍

I'm 36 year old vet. Thanks for this. Was bout to give it up and get in line while the kids skate. I'll give it more

Ben; Without even talking about my age, ( Born before JFK was assassinated---WHAT?) let me just say that you really made a solid video. You were articulate, honest and shared some extremely relevant and practical factors that pertain to skating as an adult. We knew everything when we were young but re-learning and re-visiting the deck at 30 plus is definitely a profound experience. You managed to inspire and challenge the viewer with both your insights and your skating. Well done and best wishes. I hope that your date was fabulous! Peace. P.S. Yeah...could not miss the scooter kid! he, he.

One of the best skateboarding channels hands down. You’re always providing a lot of helpful tips.

Again, this is an inspiring video with a realistic message. Thanks for helping and inspiring us to push again, Ben.

Your channel is so genuine and simple. Its really fun watching a 'regular dude' enjoy skating in its simplicity. I can really see your channel going somewhere and you making something of it if you so choose.

Right on about framing progression correctly. One other thing I would add, at least for me, is how the wisdom of being older has taught me to understand fear differently. I pay attention to it better and look for the edge of what I am comfortable with so that I am just a little bit uncomfortable - exactly where I want to be. I don't want to be where I feel fear come over me like a wet blanket, or just stay so completely in my comfort zone I really don't progress - finding the edge serves as a guide for the next progression point, which is something my younger self was terrible at progression wise.

Golden words. You’re very well spoken so glad I’ve discovered your channel. Thank you!

I'm 41 and still skate. A young coworker of mine brought a brand new skateboard to work. So I asked if I could ride it. Popped a couple ollies, kickflips and shuvits. Everyone was like holy shit old man we never knew. But anyway I wish I was young again. Can't afford to get hurt anymore.

Dude you rock. I’m 46 here. Haven’t skated in 31 years but am seriously considering starting again. I’ve been pretty active my whole life, mountain biking, rock climbing and have run a bunch of Spartan races in the last few years, but always hesitant to skate again. But watching you and a few other older you tubers makes me think I can do it again.

I’m 34 skating harder and loving my time on deck more now than I did at 16 it’s more precious as I know our years are numbered till our body gives up and we can only cruise around. You got yourself a sub 👍

This is exactly the channel i was looking for. I started skating at 13. Stopped when i was 27. I'm 39 now. Just started skating 3 days ago, thinking i'd be able to get all my tricks back in one day or so. I couldn't of been more wrong. I realised i pretty much had to start from the beginning all over again. 3 days on and my ollies are looking less like dud skyrockets trying to get off the ground. They're nothing like how i used to have them, but it's still progress.

I'm 41. I am married with two young kids. I used to pretty much do everything: skate, blade, snowboard etc. I could get back into skating but cycling is where heart is and will be. Its easier to do in your upper ages. In fact its incredible what people can do in their 40's and 50's. I love being out on the bike and the more miles the better.

So true. Thanks for putting it into a single, lucid perspective. I consider all of what you said to be the good news about skating and progressing after 30...or whenever life’s responsibilities outweigh what up til that moment has been basically one long session of constant progression.

Earned a sub! I'm 35 years old and still love skating but it's a lot harder than it used to be. The mid week mini sessions are a great point! So is home excercise and stretching!

I’m 42 coming back into skating after a huge break, I wanna say 15 plus years. Yes, my kids are not liking the skating that dad’s been doing. It’s been fun, it’s been a struggle. But slow momentum is happening. Thanks Ben for what you do!!🙌🤙

Great video. I started skateboarding at 37. Wish I'd got into it as a kid. Still love it though. Hoping I can get 10 more years - and land a kickflip please lord 😉

Thanks for this video. I'm in my late twenties and getting back into skating is super hard at the moment. I like your perspective on gaining momentum from when you last picked up your board. Viewing your progress from your recent starting point is better than trying to compare your abilities to when you were at your best. That only creates frustration with skating and the whole point is to have fun with it. Sessions are more gratifying when you can practice the old stuff, so at least you're not regressing in certain areas, but allocating time to new tricks or ideas keeps it fresh and challenging. Great advice!

I stopped skating about 12 years ago and not really sure why. I am 35 now and I started back up about a year ago. I am a lot better than I ever was when I was younger. I am not sure why, maybe just because I am more focused and understand it more at this age. I could do all the basic trick pretty well when I was younger, but never really progressed to anything crazy. At 35 I can land Casper Flips pretty consistently something I didn't even think about when I was younger where a 360 flip was my hardest flip trick. I went from knowing maybe 6 or 7 grinds/slides to learning like 20 where I can do ones like kickflip bs noseslide and fs noselide 270 out and even darkslides although I could do those before. Skating at this age just reminds me of when life was easier and I remember skating all day as a kid without a care in the world. It brings me back to that feeling and I go harder at this age and think I have hurt myself more than ever, but I don;t care. I am trying to learn nollie and switch, but the progression there is very slow. Can only do shove its and 180s really. Like others on here said, not sure how long I have left, but I am making the best of it and I want to make a decent video part just for myself to have and look back on. Just wish I had more time to skate.

Great work dude... I had to give up the double kick tail about 12 years ago but kept my skating alive with longboarding... bombing hills and sliding sideways does it for me now.

glad to see this! I'm 48 hadn't sk8d hard for 17yeara but always kept a board and cruised for transpo

Hey Ben , thanks for all the vids and tutorials inspiring and helping a lot . I am 45 and have stepped onto a board again three weeks ago after 35 years (and I was hopeless when I was ten) . My seven year old showed a great interest so I have taken it up with him. With your help have got the beginnings of an Ollie and on the cusp of being able to “pump” in the mini ramp as well as some mellowish bs turns on the ramp. Thanks again! Ben QLD , Australia

Getting back to skateboarding after 15 years, for almost 10 month, yes absolutely right everything that you say, it progress slowly, but I'm getting there. So glad that I'm not the only one who did this comeback to skating. Skating really really makes me feel young again, cos I'm the only one over 30 in my skatepark lol.

In 26 at 20 I had a son and skating went to the back burner for me as well but now my son has showed interest in skating and it's out a spark in me I really fell back in love with it, but anyways man love your content and wish ya nothing but the best

I started skating the first time when I was about 10. Just ollies, shove its and some mini ramp fun. Rode a lot in my late teens and early twenties which was the best time of my life but went through dozens of boards and trucks (220lbs lean weight then) a year skating too big sets and overly technical tricks for my level. 50lbs and 15 years later I am back on a board. Just to cruise again and do some flat land stuff. Lose some weight and enjoy the feeling again. I have no desire to hit a 5 set again but some smooth flat trick is motivating me to be back out skating..... In a very secluded spot ;-)

38 years old here , 12 years break, skated like a maniac from 5 till 26. Montreal’s winter is a bitch . Another excuse. Back on street skateboarding since last month , it is hard but damn it feels good to have fun , a few kick flips and basic grinds . Your exercices / warm up videos actually helped a lot . Thanks ! Just saw videos of the Gonz skateboarding NYC streets at 50 years old , no more excuses .

Being 38yr old and still pushing hard like I’m 21yr old is awesome thank you skateboarding 💯❤️

thanks man, I needed to hear this. just got back on the board after a decade (30y/o). couldn't be more stoked!

I'm 23 I haven't skated since i was 13 I just bought a board wooo!!

Love this content. I'm 33 and Recently got the spark back for skateboarding after about 10 years off. I used to be so focused on being the best and trying the gnarliest stuff but now i just want to cruise, do some random, fun tricks and just enjoy the process all over again

Awesome Ben, thanks for all the vids! Came back to skating at 27 :)

Just bought my first skateboard in 15 years because of this video! I'm about to turn 30 in July and have been really wanting to get back into skateboarding... here we go!

Ah yes when you tell yourself "just one more try" and still being at it 10 tries later :D

I'm almost 30 and you just motivated me to pick up my board again. Keep practicing.

Use or ya lose it I'm 37 I can't kick flip and I have been skating since the 80's I still rock the same set up as back then it's wide I'm comfy...I have kids and am learning them the way....it is so cool I can share with my kids...we both rock Vision boards and I am showing her tai slides,and caspers,banks....n buddy being able to curb stall 180 is still the best and surfing the street on a board beats walking any day. And until I can't move or incredibly feeble I will continue to roll away. ...may need a push or two when I'm gray n old but I'll be there lol

This is very inspiring Ben! Thank you! I'm 31 and I actually quit skating years ago to just film. But after watching this, I have the itch to skate again. I'll try and keep you updated on my progress! 👍

Love the fact you're posting content about the process of skateboarding and not just act of it...would be amazing if u could do a vid on the psychology of skating and if u could find a skater Psychiatrist to contribute that would be off the chain...wait do people still say that????

Im an apprentice carpenter and i skate love both ur channels man learned so much from u! Much love from Toronto

And you know he’s an adult because he’s got a mug in his hand 😂 even outside you gotta have that hot brew. Love it.

Thanks mate that was the most inspirational clip ive seen for ages keep em coming, I think I'll skate today

I'm 38 as of today, (220 pounds and 6 ft), and spent the past summer skateboarding since the gyms locked my unvaccinated ass out, and I needed another way to get exercise. turns out, they did me a massive favor, I got back into it and progressed a lot more than I expected I would. now it's winter, and I found a parking garage, and it's even partially heated, so I've been hitting that.

Bought my kids 3 completes for their bdays and they don't ride em... so I got 3 new completes that I get to push around.. Currently 36 and been trying to skate for 1 month now... This channel gives me hope ..

Another cool vid. Good advice. I'm 42 and i can do more than i could ever do in the late eighties! But, the progress is very slow. You're right to say it's about frequency. I used to go once a week but that's not enough really. Need to try and go more often

Holy shit dude I just realized you’re Vancouver carpenter!! Can’t relate enough to the losing time to skate cause of work. I’m a rough in plumber and if the weathers nice that just means more pressure to work while we can before winter...so then I get less time at the park, and when I do go I’m constantly worried about hurting my body and being out of work. I’m paid by the job so I can’t stop. Hoping to go self employed in the near future, mad respect for you dawg!

A new vid, yea. Im drinking a coffee too. The age factor dosen't really apply or effect me currently. As crazy as that sounds. Its true, I have very unusual circumatances in my my life where the age factor may not be a factor until late in my life. Like spider man bitten by a spider that changes things in a strange way. I began skateboarding in 2015 and no where near my peak. Loved watching your progression session, nice stuff.

5 months ago i came back to skateboarding with 33 years-old and isn't easy, but i recovered my tricks and i'm trying do progress with new tricks, now i'm on vacation and every day without rain i go to the park to practice about 2 or 3 hours. Thanks for share your experience, Ben.

Thumbs up for sk8 veterans! I'm 37yrs old and sk8in from last summer. Of course was sk8ing in late 80s after watching "Trashin" movie. Skateboarding help me to do some tricks over my wife :)

I like your videos I am 41 been skating for 30 years. I too have never really stopped just slowed down kids, work and all the grown-up stuff butt skateboarding will always be a part of me and I will forever be a punk kid on my skateboard. Keep ripping dude👊✌

I'm 37 and 250#. Never skated in my life and just started a few months ago because a friend gave me the bug. Good lord is this fun but man does it hurt when it hurts lol. That feeling of accomplishment when you do ANYTHING though is pretty great. It means you can progress. Seeing this video is a great reminder that you have to keep trying old tricks too. Thanks for this!

I’m 34. Not skated for 15 years. I got my son a deck for Christmas to try get him off his PlayStation and he loves it. I’ve been out a few times with him and EVERYTHING hurts. Hurt my hip and I don’t know how, jarred my quads trying to re-learn kick flips. Seriously considering some yoga pre sesh to get loosened up. And as the other guy said, loads of fluids. Love the vids Ben, great to see a guy similar age and responsibilities making it fit.

yo! this is spot on. 40 yr old from london - i do exactly what you're saying. even if it's 30min. it may be a messy skate but come the weekend the progression is there for all to see. exercise is key. i love this shit.

Killer vid. I'm 34 and getting back into skating. I just got a older but mint condition world industries deck love it so far really nostalgic.

30 and just started skating again after a long break. Glad to see there's so many of us here. Crazy how the itch can lie dormant for so long but never really goes away for us. Thanks for the vid!

I really enjoy and appreciate your content by the way. Keep it up.

Sound advice! I started skateboarding at 25 and always wondering if I can ever 50-50 a rail. Seeing you enjoying it and still progressing is very inspiring, and giving me at least 10 years to learn my dream trick.

I'm 35 and started again after 13 years. I was never in good shape as a kid but I am now, more energy, stronger, more flexible. I guess in some cases it's possible to skate better than ever i your 30's, it's all relative ! I had metal work in my ankle at 16 though and that's finally catching up with me :(

Dude you rock. Im 34 and stopped skating hard around 25 bc of ankle problems and not doing ankle and leg strength training. Physical therapy is essential in progressing in this sport. I could kickflip 5 boards stacked when i was 24 lol. If i kept my body strong and not just destroying myself until i quit riding it would have been different. I slowly getting back! You are for sure an inspiration dude! Keep skating.

I just started again at 56 after having stopped in the late 90s... humbling to start from almost scratch...but 30 days in and have learned to Ollie albeit only 8inches or so....progress!

Great vid! I used to skate in the LA District where I got started at the age of 10 in the mid 80s. I am almost 41yrs of age. My daughter is 11 and I got her into skating so I can get back to it. Oh how I miss skating. What better way to start up again. Building memories with my girl and I feel like a kid again. I got into Cycling to stay in shape when she was born and diet and exercise is truly the key transition back into skating. I wasn’t really good at tricks but missed how I used to Ollie over everything. Keep it up and stay safe!

Im 34 and havent skated in ten years.i been getting back into it so this videos helps...thanks ben!

Grate vid I'm progressing now as well and I'm 35 so it is possible 😃🤙 geriatric skate squad gang 🤙☺

Damn, it gave me more inspiration or willing to go back to skating than all the TWS short vids scrolled everyday!

Not 30 yet but a great watch for a 26 year old

you're awesome man. thanks for the clarity, advice and positive encouragement. I'm picking my board back up and loving it so much. trying to figure out the adult thing, but you're the man. clearly it's all possible.

I’ve been reading all the comments below and I am so happy to see guys round 30-40 yrs old getting back to skate again. I’m 35, haven’t skate in 20yrs after a serious ankle injury after doing a kick flip on 7 stairs, and after watching your channel, and some other lads that are out there trying to make things easier than it was back in the old days, i finally got a new board (also after watching your skate review for the indies 144 I’ve decided to buy a pair). Keep it up, mate, thank you so much for the reviews and good vibes. Btw, I am from Chile! Cheers!

Hi from France. I just bought a skateboard and I’m 38 years old. It’s 20 years that I didn’t ride! Back on these days I couldn’t do even a ollie... I’m back at it and I’m that close to finally do it! Progression is ahead, combined with massive loss of weight, snowboarding and surfing! Happy to see that I’m not the only « grand pa » to get back at it! All the best!

damn that FS crook was so solid. I actually went "YEEEYUHH" outloud, haha.

I'm 36 to and started skateboarding 2 months ago. I skated as a kid until I got my drivers licence and then skating just dropped off the radar. There was no skate parks when I was a kid, but now there are lots around where I live and I'm loving it.

Feed the body right treat the body right and youll be skating till.your 70

What?!! I've been watchin and subscribed to your sheetrock vids forever and when I type "Am I too old to skate" you pop up. You were awesome before but now I have a new hero!

I'm backing your content bro...I'm 29 and haven't stopped skating 🤘

I started skating at 17 and have been on n off since, I often have felt like I’m too old to get into skating (20 now) and that since I’ve only gotten shuvs and Ollie’s down that I’ll never be good enough and that’s silly for an (not so) old person to be a noob at skating, but this video really gave me a lot of hope and confidence trying to stay consistent and get better just because I love doing it. Thanks ik this video 5 years old but I’m glad it got recommended

Grew up major skate rat, basically quit in early 20s because couldn’t risk injury and missing work. Things changed around age 30 and I started to skate occasionally for the next few years. 36 now and the last couple years I spent re learning all my old tricks. In the last couple months, have added on to my bag of tricks and cleaned up my old ones. Can’t believe how much fun I’m having and how I’m learning new stuff every session. Have put a lot of focus on learning dynamic strength and flexibility exercises over the past 4 years which seems to be helping with confidence and recovery time as well as injury prevention. Still take some nasty slams and have been nursing injuries over the years but nothing in my adult life (intimacy, financial wealth) has come anywhere close to matching the satisfaction I get from learning how to link existing tricks or unlock new ones. Your guidance here is precisely in line with my experience. Cheers homie!

Back skating after 20 years. Wasn't very good then but trying to skate every few days to keep momentum up and as you say make it a priority. Great advice.

Respect to you. I brought a longboard at 40 - no tricks required!

Having friends to skate with is a bonus as it keep motivation up and the sessions fun.

I just hit 30 last year, and I totally understand the difficulty. My knee is bad, tailbone is bad, ankle is bad, but I'm determined to skate as much as I can. Skateboarding was always a therapy for me, and I'd really love to feel that again. Thanks for the inspiration dude.

Thanks for the inspiration. Been waiting on a knee injury to heal. Bouncing back at 32 is much more difficult. Watching your videos definitely makes me want to skate and also reminds me to appreciate what I've got. Keep em coming!

Nice video. I got back to skate at 28 after 13 years off. I broke my arm 2 weeks later :) , got healed and returned. Since then I have been doing it great, trying to get more momentum. An advice for anybody trying to get back to skate is to practice falling, on grass first and then on concrete ground, that helps to prepare your body to relax on future accidents, that’s something very natural for kids but you loss it after years sitting on a desk 8 hours every day.

33 recently started skating again. Very cool motivational supportive video. Thanks.

Great advice. I got back into skating in 2012 at 24, and been progressing day by day. It's gotten a wee bit harder now considering of my health, but Time is no issue when you work 3 to 4 days a week for 12 hours, and you have the same amount of time off. I know that I won't be jumping down stairs, gaps, and doing rails and ledges forever, but at least now going into my 30's I'll soak it up while I can, and the same applies with snowboarding too, in which I do that too. But, you should exercise, eat right, and be stress free if you want to push into your 40's. Great video, and great channel, bro.

Ben this was great. I'm 40 and just started after 25 years so I can teach my son. 2 weeks and already busted my wrist but I feel so much more alive now.