Feeling too late

[NikAs]

I feel like i came on to the scene too late and im 14!! A lot of the names you see have been doing this for years! I know they have a better skill level than i, but i feel that its good for us, and that we are able to learn from people that have been doing this for a long time, and they can give us tips, and then we pass on those tips, and ones weve acquired, and help out the generations to come. Being a little late has its advantages

you definitely didn't come to late, one of the people at the freerunning championship was doing freerunning for 2 years.

[andrew le]

wow! that gives me a lot of hope lol

thanks guys, older and younger alike 

[Sezon]

One advantage you have over "younger" traceurs is that you're wiser, so you'll progress quicker. And, you'll likely have more body awareness, which is like the best attribute a traceur could have.

[Adam McC]

Hey Andrew.

First of all, keep in mind that when Ozzi started his training he was.. 27 I think. Maybe 28. He's an ooldd man.

It's really simple. Like anything, theres advantages and disadvantages, as seen earlier in this topic. Younger kids learn quicker and are more flexible and have more mental plasticity, making learning easier for them. However, they (generally) have less life experience. They haven't had the time to participate in other skills that help build on Parkour. For example, Ozzi did some tumbling, breakdance, martial arts, and all that allowed him to get where he is now in what, two years, barely. Naturally, you've got some additional wisdom.

Overall, it comes back to being individual and seeing it as your path. Its hard to look around, for sure. I mean, it happens to me too. I'm a young 18 year old doing double kongs to you, but I look at my class, see 12 year old McKenzie doing perfect frontflips and vaults and rolls with no previous training and 3 months of Parkour training, and I'm now in the same spot as you. Just gotta find a way to rejoice it, and defeat that natural competitive nature we have, especially as guys. Like Leon said, some people just learn naturally fast. Gotta find a way to love that. Not easy.

But keep it up. If it makes you feel better, you guys really surprised me. As I said before, you guys were really fast learners, I was sincerely impressed, and really hope to get the chance to work with you all some more.

[andrew le]

thanks adam 

it really means a lot to me and my guys to hear that 

and i had no idea ozzi was that old! lol

on another note while we were training today a 35 year old man came running up to us and wanted to learn, he had that same fire in his eyes im sure we all had when we started vaulting small rails and fences! lol

and more over he actually started sharing with us some rock climbing maneuvers (which, if you ask me, would be an incredible addition to the repertoire of movements we can learn). so in that small instance it really lightened my heart and took this whole age thing out the window lol

[TMurcia]

Hey. Im in pretty good shape but ive just started... LIKE JUST!!!!

My first rolling was done today..  Im 24 years old but hell i have no irks about starting now.  Id take advice from a 16-18 year old whose been doiing it for 2 years no problem.  its all about learning new skills. And we still arent in our 40s and 50s yet.  In your 20s your still pretty flexible and hell you probably know your body better than some 14-18 year olds.  Im pumped to learn this new skill!!!!  I cant wait to start training with people around my area! (Califronia, South bay area i.e hermosa beach, redondo beach, Los angeles, venice beach, santa monica, etc.. etc..)

[Beretta]

Ozzi's a youngin'!

I started at 28 and I was barely healed from a meniscus tear six months earlier... I'd only put my cane away a couple months before starting.

[kharvilak]

37 here, and just started at the beginning of summer.  I refuse to accept that I'm older than most... my mind tells me I'm younger, and my body tends to follow it quite well.