Still Shredding

Tony Hawk. Rob Dyrdek. Scott Jarden? That's right, the ISSA vice president/president elect for 2010, and president of The Bullen Companies of Folcroft, Pa., is also a skateboard enthusiast.

"Why do I skateboard? Because it's fun and keeps me young and healthy," says Scott.

Scott started skateboarding about 43 years ago, back in the sport's infancy.

"When I was around 14, it was a means of transportation for me," Scott says.

Fast-forward to today, and you can find Scott, who is in his 50s, skateboarding on the purpose-built ramp at his house. Two of his children, Alex (23), and Jasper (20), have followed in their dad's footsteps and are avid skaters.

"I don't do the trick parts of skateboarding. I'm more of a cruising skateboarder," says Scott. "I tell my sons, 'You have to think of your age and not do crazy things.' You have to respect the potential dangers of the sport."

While skateboarding, Scott wears knee pads, elbow pads and a helmet.

"If you're going to skateboard, you need to wear the proper protective gear," he says.

Fortunately, his accidents have been few: he broke an ankle at age 17, and a few years later, a wrist. For those thinking about taking up the sport as an adult, Scott advises caution.

"It requires good balance," he says. "You're going to fall down until you get the basics, and when you fall, it's on concrete. It's not the best sport to jump into at an older age."

Besides skateboarding at home, Scott also goes to skateparks.

"There are a large number of older guys in their 40s and 50s who skateboard regularly," says Scott. "It's like riding a bike. Once you learn, you never completely forget how to do it."

When "older" skaters are at a skatepark, kids look up to them and ask questions, says Scott.

"The younger ones respect the senior skaters and give the older guys room to enjoy the sport," he says. "I usually ask kids how old they think I am. They make me feel really good by guessing that I'm 35."

Scott even takes his hobby across the country.

"About seven years ago, I attended an ISSA board meeting in Tucson, Ariz. I knew there were some really good skateparks in that area, so I packed my skateboard," says Scott. "When most people went golfing in their free time, I went skateboarding in a Tucson park."

He's also been known to occasionally skateboard in the company's warehouse. He draws the line, though, at installing an indoor ramp at work, even though his sons have tried to persuade him to do so.

Gretchen Roufs, an 18-year janitorial supply industry veteran, owns a marketing and public relations company in San Antonio. To suggest someone you think should be featured in “Freetime,” contact her at Gretchen@GretchenRoufs.com.