The Board List: Ageing as an Upgrade

What if, things actually get better as we get older?

Jul 21, 2025

From https://www.instagram.com/jennypatinkin/?hl=en

I can’t help but think that we’ve got this ageing lark all wrong. The negativity that surrounds the concept of ageing still lingers on, despite the generational shift that has clearly taken place when it comes to older people and their ability to be active, travel, and still see their later years as those of opportunity.

Somehow we still limit ourselves, despite all evidence to the contrary. “I’m too old for that” is still a common theme I hear when it comes to trying new sports. Or worse, the expectation that if we’re not good at something by now, we’ll never be good at it.

It’s an attitude that makes fun and joy a zero sum game. Suitable for some, but not for all.

What if we actually saw ageing as an upgrade? We know more. Have seen more. Have tried more. And realise by now that no-one gives a shit. The curse of being a teenager and in your twenties, the years of working it all out in the most public of ways (particularly nowadays), with your foremost concern being what people think of you. It’s a curse that I just don’t think about in my late 40’s. Because I recognise what a bloody waste of time it is. And if I could go back and shake myself for all the times I turned down an opportunity, lessened my fun in some way, simply decided I wasn’t good at something, I damn well would.

The ‘We Do Not Care Club’ (founded by @justbeingmelani ) that has been flying across the internet in recent weeks screams this sentiment (I should point out that I’m not a fan of these ‘jump on the bandwagon, lets all do the social media trend that will perform, but still, you have to take note, especially if it’s allowing women to take ownership of a period where traditionally they disappear).

I liked this recent post from Self Space (always one to watch for a virtual kick up the bum or a pick me up):

The premise being, you’d never root for the character to make the safe, boring choice. Always the brave one.

Our superpower as women in our 40’s, 50’s, 60’s and beyond is just that. The power to make anything but the safe choice. To not give a stuff what people think. I say bring it on.

Have a good week all,

Caroline x

Board Women Founder

Don’t Be Board

Beyond Boards x Natalie Porter

Check out this Interview with the founder of @womensk8ghistory Natalie is someone who hasn’t necessarily sought the limelight, but has written the book ‘Girl Gangs, Zines and Powerslides’ to shine a spotlight on the unsung women, BIPOC pioneers and queer trailblazers who helped propel skateboarding to the Olympics. The book is released in 2025, and the episode is a good precursor, including 20 surprise questions from Natalie’s friends.

Tony Hawk lost his skateboard (and is he really Tony Hawk)

Begin Again: Davina x Gillian Anderson Interview

I’m loving the current world obsessions with all things Gillian Anderson (whether you’ve been caught up with The Salt Path debacle or not, what’s not to like about Sex Education, and her book Want).

The Everyday Adventure Podcast x Emma Simpson

I love Nikki’s Everyday Adventure podcast, but this episode particularly struck me. Emma used to be an air traffic controller, but leaving the job due to stress, and other life changing events led her to cold water swimming, and to writing.

Her book Breaking Waves explores the relationship of women and water all around the world. I’ve just ordered & will report back.

The Observer: There is no political power without power over the archive

If you love a library, and see them as essential to society (I do), then you’ll find this piece fascinating. Trumps administration are on the attack to ban books that bring to light what they see as offensive points of view, and librarians are even receiving death threats.

Written by the author of ‘Burning the Books’ the piece details stats like the number of book bans (a staggering rise from 273 challenges between 2001 and 2020, and now 9000+ challenges in 2023 alone). Worth a read.

“The current wave of book banning sweeping the country has created a chilling effect on our education system and the purchasing of books in our libraries,” Jones wrote in her book That Librarian. “This is a huge movement that has been in the works for a while. It is well funded and well coordinated. It is about marginalising and erasing cultures and groups of people; it is about defunding public institutions; it is about dumbing down society for a more easily led population; and it is about using libraries for political gain.”

Empire Skate: Supreme x NYC’s skateboarding scene

As the Empire Skate documentary (documenting the history of skateboarding in NY and its relationship to Supreme) finds its way to Disney+ and a whole new audience. This article is an interview with the director Josh Swade.

Transkaters x Canopy Skate Retreat 29th - 31st August

Lovely group and lovely location, check this one out.

Surf Birds Collective Underwater Training

I so want to have a go at this under water training for surfing. I can’t make this one, but if anyone finds one in sussex, let me know!

Black People Surf Day

This ones for the Californian readers amongst you x

Community East - Female Classes Fridays

Weekly session from 6-7pm on a Friday, with all equipment supplied. Get yourself down to this lovely Norwich skate spot.

The Board Crew:

Sheree aka @sheree_princess_of_powerslides runs the girls & women’s sessions at Mount Hawke skatepark in Cornwall (one of the biggest in the UK) on the last Friday of every month. She’s also a keen surfer and snowboarder and runs Cornwall Longboard Ladies Crew.

I first heard from Sheree when she explained to me that she co-founded Brighton Longboard Ladies Crew, with Sabina Edwards (who she wants this interview to be in memory of). Sabina sadly died of pancreatic cancer in 2023, a pioneer of women’s longboarding in the UK, and in Brighton in particular.

When and how did you get into Board Sports?

Although I had a skateboard since I was a teenager, I feel like I really started skating when I met my skate buddy Sabina through Longboard Brighton in 2013. It's a free group and we were learning downhill sliding. We were both keen to learn all types of board riding. We also started attending Lucy Adam's Brighton She Shredders where we learned to skate park. Between them we learned a bit of park, longboard dance, downhill racing, downhill slide, and distance push racing. We soon started taking part in events and competitions in all of these categories, and eventually holding our own. Skating is how I met my fiancé, and as he's from Czech that's where I learned snowboarding. We moved to Cornwall to learn to surf.

What do you love about Board Sports?

I love how board sports teach you to face your fears and shows you how to be stronger.

Describe how it feels when you’re on a board

I always loved the freedom it gave me to escape from the rest of the world. In Brighton there is a lot of space to skate and I loved to just pass by the busy city.

What would you say to anyone considering trying?

Board sports can take your life in a new direction so take that opportunity!

Sheree is helping to run free Holiday Beginner sessions for girls aged 5-16 so if you have girls in your life, get them down there! More details here:

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