They might fall harder and heal more slowly, but older riders are carving bowls, rebuilding confidence, and rediscovering the thrills.
at Rio Vista Community Park in Peoria, Ariz., on June 5, 2026. Allan Stein/The Epoch Times
PEORIA, Ariz.—The Old Dude Skater Crew is back on the ramps at Rio Vista Community Park, carving bowls, landing tricks, and proving that skateboarding doesn’t come with an expiration date.
Steve Scales, 50, believes you’re never too old to throw down. He kicks off and launches into a difficult aerial that many skateboarders half his age would hesitate to attempt.
The public skateboard park in Peoria, Arizona, offers the ideal setting to refine his “steeze,” skateboard slang for a smooth blend of style and control in motion.
“It’s exercise. At our age, it keeps you mobile, keeps you having fun,” said Scales, the crew’s tallest member at 6 feet 8 inches.
The price of staying on a skateboard has included broken ribs, rolled ankles, and bruised knees and elbows. But Scales said the rewards far outweigh the risks.
The Phoenix chapter of the Old Dude Skater Crew has become as much a myth-buster as a skateboarding club, challenging assumptions about what growing older looks like.
“I actually think I’m a better skater now than when I was a kid,” Scales said. “This is my longest stint of active skateboarding.”
It’s How They Roll
In June 2014, avid skateboarder James Freeman of Atlanta founded the Old Dude Skater Crew on Facebook to bring together like-minded older skaters.
The goal was simple: reconnect with friends, relive the glory days, and spread the “stoke”—the joy, camaraderie, and excitement that have long defined skateboarding culture.
Today, the group has grown into a nationwide community of older skateboarders promoting fitness, friendship, and the thrill of riding.
The most active chapters are in Denver, Phoenix, and Portland.
Some members are returning to the sport after decades away, while others are stepping onto a skateboard for the first time.
Ryan Jones, 44, of Surprise, Arizona, is one of the newest members of the Phoenix chapter, having skated for about a month.
“I’ve always been fascinated by skate culture since I was a kid—just too chicken to do it,” Jones said.
The most active chapters are in Denver, Phoenix, and Portland.
Some members are returning to the sport after decades away, while others are stepping onto a skateboard for the first time.
Ryan Jones, 44, of Surprise, Arizona, is one of the newest members of the Phoenix chapter, having skated for about a month.
“I’ve always been fascinated by skate culture since I was a kid—just too chicken to do it,” Jones said.
At 6 feet 5 inches and 300 pounds, Jones is learning in small steps: staying on the board, maintaining balance, and building toward basic tricks over time.
“You’re never too old to learn,” he said. “My first day out, I took the board, thought I could just push off, and landed on my [buttocks]. My elbow’s a little tender still.”
Life, Scales said, rolls at the speed of a skateboard. Age is no barrier—only determination and the urge to ride the concrete waves.
“It’s really like an accessible roller coaster. You choose your own adventure based on your skill level,” Scales said.
“I started the Phoenix-based ODSC group because I saw there are a bunch of older people out there skating.”
By Allan Stein
