Current location:opinions >>
For Active Ningxia Aunties, Skateboarding Is Way of Life
opinions3People have gathered around
IntroductionContact Us HomeNewsHighlightACWF NewsSocietyWom ...
- Home
- News
- People
- In-depth
- ACWF
For Active Ningxia Aunties, Skateboarding Is Way of Life
ByHu Dongmei and Zheng Caixiong June 6, 2022Ni Shuxian (R) and five other members of her skateboarding group in Yinchuan Forest Park in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. [China Daily/Tian Manchao] |
In addition to physical benefits, women say sport makes them feel younger
Ni Shuxian always attracts onlookers when she skateboards in Yinchuan Forest Park in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.
The 46-year-old railway worker moves with ease on her board and can even do 360-degree spins.
She first took up competitive sports when she was 38 and exercises every day.
Ni usually goes to the park to skateboard between 6 and 8 am before work. After work, she goes canoeing or paddle boarding on the river.
"Skateboarding and exercise have become a part of my daily routine," she said, adding that she also used to want to surf. "When I went to the sea and saw people surfing some years ago, I was immediately drawn to it. I thought it was the most wonderful sport."
But the Ningxia capital is inland and does not have access to the sea, so she has to be content with "surfing" on land.
Ni said skateboarding is good for balance and helpful for snowboarding. She taught herself by watching videos and taking online classes. She quickly mastered the essentials and was able to skateboard within a week.
Her skills not only attract young onlookers, but also middle-aged and elderly women. She runs a skateboarding group for older women that now has six permanent members, with more joining on weekends.
Ni practices in the forest park. [China Daily/Tian Manchao] |
Ni said the average age of the members is 50, with the oldest, a woman named Wang, age 57.
"The group includes both retirees and office workers, but we all skateboard every day," Ni said.
At first, Wang said she had concerns, fearing she could fall and break a bone.
"But learning to skateboard is a process that takes you from nervousness and fear to relaxation and control. I was able to skateboard easily after a week of practice," Wang said.
She said she is now trying to learn new skills to improve her style.
"In addition to health and happiness, skateboarding has made me confident and makes me feel younger," she said.
Wang joined the team at the beginning of April after seeing Ni's expertise with the board.
"And also because I wanted to have a try," she added.
Ni teaches movements to two members of her group in the park. [China Daily/Tian Manchao] |
Hou Yun, a teacher at the Academy of Fine Arts at Ningxia University, said she felt lost and did not know what she would do when she retires until she saw Ni and her team skateboarding earlier this year while she was taking a walk in the park.
The 56-year-old, who will retire soon, said that she did not want to accept old age and declining health, or be left behind by changing times. She also said that she admires Ni's courage.
Hou joined the team and said that skateboarding is not exclusive to the young.
"You can't just put both feet on the board at once. You put a foot on one side of the skateboard first, and then put your other foot on it, and this way, you avoid falling over," Hou tells beginners, sharing her experience of learning to skateboard.
"As long as they can overcome their fear, it's not as difficult as it seems," she said.
Hou said that the team welcomes newcomers, as members can learn, exchange tips and help each other.
The women all said they feel more alive after taking up skateboarding. They also feel younger, both psychologically and physically. Ni said that the sport not only makes them happy, it also makes them healthy. "We will not stop skateboarding," she added.
Feng Xiaoyun and Xue Rui contributed to the story.
(Source: China Daily)
32.3KPlease understand that womenofchina.cn,a non-profit, information-communication website, cannot reach every writer before using articles and images. For copyright issues, please contact us by emailing: [email protected]. The articles published and opinions expressed on this website represent the opinions of writers and are not necessarily shared by womenofchina.cn.
Comments
Magazines
Projects
- 2023 Women Science and Technology Innovation Pioneer...
Photos
- People Enjoy Blooming Tulips in Jinan, East...
- Flowers Bloom Across China in Spring
Special Coverage
Tags:
Reprint:Friends are welcome to share on the Internet, but please indicate the source of the article when reprinting it.“International Iterations news portal”。http://www.videocameralive.com/article-95f399836.html
Related articles
Free child care from higher taxes? These cities subsidize daycare
opinionsNEW ORLEANS (AP) — Last summer, Derrika Richard felt stuck. She didn’t have enough money to afford c ...
【opinions】
Read moreAi Weiwei mourns Hong Kong freedoms but is 'proud' of Tiananmen middle
opinionsby Jerome TaylorWhen dissident Chinese artist Ai Weiwei secretly snapped a picture of himself showin ...
【opinions】
Read moreCoronavirus: China to test 9 million people as cluster detected in city of Qingdao
opinionsYour web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here ...
【opinions】
Read more
Popular articles
- Refugee agency chief warns that the number of Syrians leaving Lebanon is likely to rise
- ‘Easter is a time to remember . . . to remember, amid all the distractions of life’
- China and India hold talks over Ladakh border standoff
- Trump hawks $399 branded shoes at Sneaker Con, a day after a $355 million ruling against him
- PGA Tour goes to Dallas for same course and new title. LIV Golf plays in Singapore
- Green Party activist puts forward radical manifesto in leadership bid
Latest articles
Former Naval officer to challenge Matt Gaetz in upcoming GOP primary
Digital declaration now available for all international travellers to NZ
ACT leader David Seymour expects Waitangi events will be 'tense'
Gisborne deaths came after two crashed birthday party
Court in the Central African Republic issues international arrest warrant for former president
Trump hawks $399 branded shoes at Sneaker Con, a day after a $355 million ruling against him
LINKS
- REVEALED: Larry Ellison son's David, 41, and his bid to buy media giant Paramount
- You can't park there! Council builds new £51million 850
- The Crown: Fact or Fiction
- Shipwreck archaeology unveils glory of Maritime Silk Road
- US House Judiciary Committee chair seeks details from ATF on airport director shooting
- Gorman snaps slump with walk
- China unveils data of technically recoverable oil and gas resources
- Rishi Sunak says he has confidence in Sir Mark Rowley but he must rebuild 'trust' among Jews
- Kennedy family endorses Biden in effort to deflate RFK Jr.'s candidacy
- Vista Outdoor, Salesforce rise; Tesla, Cardinal Health fall, Monday, 4/22/2024