A Nottingham Trent University lecturer has rolled into her mid-60s with a skateboarding award half a century later than her competition.
Professor Carrie Paecther took on the impressive challenge during her study on girl skateboarders to understand “how hard the sport really is”.
Carrie got her qualification in October, exactly a year after embarking on the most ‘bizarre’ journey of her life.
She said: “It’s a bit of a joke really because I probably am the oldest person to have got this certificate by 55 years.
“I have a ligament tear in my right knee and I’m old – this combination is not a good match for a skateboarder or a skatepark.
“I’m not a normal skateboarder, I wear pads for everything and a helmet and I often spend less time skating than I do putting all the safety equipment on.”
Professor Paecther, Director of the Nottingham Centre for Children, Young People and Families at NTU, was joined on her research by Chris Lawton, Community Development Officer at Skateboard GB and co-founder of Skate Nottingham.
The study will explore the inclusivity of skateboarding spots.
Carrie said: “As part of the research, we’ve been hanging around loads of skateparks and most of them are not very suitable for people like me.
“I have to skate in the beginners’ sessions or women’s sessions because they’re safe sessions for me.
“There’s somebody else around, there’s a first aid box and probably a first aider.”
Stoked to finally get my @SkateboardGB Cruuser Certificate after a year of learning – probably the oldest person to get this by about 55 years. Thanks to the crew @SkateparkFlo, @StoodleyLyndsey
And @TheDDHEproject for tuition and encouragement. @NottinghamSkate @ChrisMLawton77 pic.twitter.com/YCVHpAtLbA— Professor Carrie Paechter (@CarriePaechter) October 23, 2022
Professor Paecther added: “I’m not very confident – I tend to need to spend five minutes getting on and off the board and getting something to hold on to every time.
“Most skate parks haven’t got that so it’s quite difficult for me to start even if I could go around them.”
The Skateboard GB ‘Cruiser Award’ programme teaches first-time skateboarders the basics of the sport, helping them gain confidence and essential knowledge.
Chris Lawton, Community Development Officer at Skateboard GB and co-founder of Skate Nottingham, says there has been a boom in women over 50 learning how to skateboard.
He said: “Women in their 50s and beyond being beginner skateboarders is a new amazing phenomenon.
“I would encourage people that want to skateboard and want to do that physical activity that you are never too old and you will be at no greater risk of hurting yourself, especially if you wear a helmet.”
Chris added: “I would encourage everyone to have a go at it and embrace the fun of being a beginner.
“We don’t like being beginners, we don’t like being non-competent and in skateboarding even the most expert spends a lot of their time not being competent, falling, failing.
“It normalises failure and makes us better, happier human beings.”
Lead image: Carrie Paecther