Saturday, July 27, 2024

Learning to ride a scooty for independence

 My First Scooty Ride

I never thought I would ride a scooty one day. When my kids grew up, they faced problems getting to coaching and activity centers by rickshaw and cab. Sometimes they waited for their father to come early from the office and drop them off. It wasn’t feasible for him to do this daily. So, I decided to buy a scooty.

In April 2024, I began training with an experienced lady who knew the ins and outs of riding a scooty. In just 40 minutes, she gave me valuable knowledge on how to take turns, stop slowly, and other minor details. After 15 days, I started riding my scooty, though I was still learning to balance properly. My formal training ended in 2-3 days, but I wanted to practice more.

I spoke to my husband and expressed my desire to purchase a scooty for daily practice in the evenings. The next day, we went to a Yamaha showroom and bought a new model Scooty Fascino. I was very happy and excited. We returned home, showed it to the family, and then visited the temple for a puja. My husband supported me greatly, and every morning at 5 AM, we went for rides to perfect my skills. Without his support and motivation, I couldn’t have learned to ride the scooty.

After a month, I began riding alone on the road. On May 17th, during one of our rides, my husband encouraged me to practice while he went for a walk. Without my mobile phone, I faced a major accident. A slow-moving coconut cart was on the right side, and I was at medium speed with many cars and bikes around. Trying to turn right, I collided with the cart. Thankfully, neither the cart owner nor I got injured, but my scooty’s front body, headlight, and left side were damaged. I started crying upon seeing the damage.

A kind man reassured me that it could be repaired. When the road cleared, I took a U-turn and waited for my husband. Seeing the damage, he scolded me, worried it looked like a major accident. He calmed me down, promised to send the scooty for repairs, and drove us home. I will never forget this accident.

Ten days later, my scooty returned with a new front and side body. I resumed practicing because “darr ke aage jeet hai” (beyond fear lies victory). I couldn’t give up because I was doing this for my kids. Now, I feel independent and free like a bird. I go everywhere with my scooty and am satisfied and happy with my scooty journey.

My life has become much easier and more independent. I no longer have to wait for others to be available to go places. 








Skateboarding 2024

 What is skateboarding?

Skateboarding is a recreational activity and sport that involves riding and performing tricks on a skateboard, a small board with four wheels. Skateboarding emerged in the 1950s in California, where surfers wanted to replicate the feeling of surfing on land. Over the years, it has evolved into a popular and influential subculture with its own styles, techniques, and communities.

Key elements of skateboarding include:

1. The Skateboard: Comprises a deck (the board), trucks (the metal axles that hold the wheels), and wheels. Decks come in various shapes and sizes to suit different styles of skating.

2. Tricks: Skateboarding is known for its diverse array of tricks. These can range from basic maneuvers like ollies (jumping with the board) and kickflips (flipping the board) to complex combinations and aerial stunts.

3. Disciplines: There are several types of skateboarding, including:

Street: Involves skating on urban obstacles like stairs, rails, and ledges.

Vert: Focuses on riding large ramps and performing high-flying tricks.

Park: Takes place in specially designed skate parks with a mix of bowls, ramps, and other features.

Freestyle: Emphasizes technical tricks and routines on flat ground.

4. Culture: Skateboarding has a rich culture characterized by distinctive fashion, music, art, and language. It has influenced and been influenced by various subcultures, including punk, hip-hop, and street art.

5. Competitions: Skateboarding competitions range from local events to international contests like the X Games and the Olympics, where skaters showcase their skills and creativity.

Skateboarding continues to grow in popularity, attracting participants of all ages and backgrounds. It offers both a form of physical exercise and a creative outlet for self-expression.


Skateboarding olympics 2024

Skateboarding will return to the Olympics for the Paris 2024 Games, continuing its inclusion from Tokyo 2020. The competition will again feature two disciplines: street and park.

Disciplines and Format:

1. Street: This event involves skaters performing tricks on a course designed to replicate urban environments, featuring stairs, rails, and benches. The focus is on technical tricks and style.

2. Park: Skaters will navigate a bowl-like course with ramps, curves, and various obstacles. This discipline emphasises aerial manoeuvres and the use of the park’s transitions.

Location:

The skateboarding events for Paris 2024 will take place at Place de la Concorde, one of the most iconic locations in Paris. This venue will be a hub for several urban sports, including skateboarding.

Athletes to Watch:

Yuto Horigome (Japan): The gold medalist in men’s street from Tokyo 2020.

Rayssa Leal (Brazil): A young sensation who took silver in women’s street in Tokyo.

Sky Brown (Great Britain): The bronze medalist in women’s park and one of the youngest Olympic medalists ever.

Impact and  significance:

Skateboarding’s presence in the Olympics aims to engage younger audiences and highlight the sport’s global appeal. Its debut in Tokyo brought significant attention to skateboarding, increasing its visibility and popularity worldwide.

Future of Skateboarding in the Olympics:

The successful inclusion of skateboarding in Tokyo has paved the way for its continued presence in the Olympics. Paris 2024 is expected to further solidify its place in the Olympic program and inspire new generations of skaters globally.

As the Games approach, excitement builds around which athletes will emerge as the new stars and how the competition will evolve.

Conclusion :

The inclusion of skateboarding in the Paris 2024 Olympics marks the sport’s continued recognition on the world stage. With its dynamic mix of street and park disciplines, the event promises to captivate audiences and inspire a new generation of skaters. The competition at Place de la Concorde will not only showcase incredible athleticism and creativity but also reinforce skateboarding’s growing influence in global sports culture. As we look forward to the performances of both seasoned and emerging athletes, skateboarding’s future in the Olympics appears bright and full of potential.