Sponsored by
Extreme sports on the slopes
Snowboarding is often associated with the younger generation, but one woman from Cuddington is out to change that stereotype.
Diana Walker, 52, started the sport about 15 years ago on a skiing holiday with her husband Mel, 53. As well as all the health benefits it brings, she says it is fun keeping up with the young people.
She said: "I could see all the youngsters having fun on the snow. At that time older people didn't take up snowboarding, everybody did skiing. I think I didn't want to get older.
"There was surprise from my family. My sister cannot believe how I am doing things like this. I just try to keep up with the young people in groups. We've been to Australia, Dubai, Lake Tahoe in California, Canada. For our latest trip we decided we were going to do something special and book a trip which took us all around the world. We went to New Zealand."
Snowboarding originated in America in the 1960s and it became an Olympic sport in 1998. Characterised by the high jumps and inspired by skateboarding and surfing, it is increasing in popularity in all age groups. People might think of it as a dangerous sport and the body parts most affected by injuries are the wrist, tailbone, and the head.
Mrs Walker, though, said it has several health benefits as well.
"It takes a lot of strength and flexibility. It's good for balance which is really good at our age and it exercises the central core muscles. It's also good for your bones. People are worried about breaking bones, but it actually does the opposite and makes them strong. Also people worry about pressure on the knees, but snowboarding, unlike skiing, is kind on the knees."
She says anyone her age should try it out. "It's a lot of fun. I would say go for it because it gives you the most wonderful feeling. We plan we will still be skiing and go back as a group in 18 years' time. That is our aim and I hope I am fit enough to do it."
Her daughter, Helen, said her mum has always been active and is admired by a lot of people she knows. "When I was younger I can always remember my mum getting involved in nutty things. I know most daughters think they have the best mother but I definitely do. She is adventurous, crazy, a real character and especially a great role model, not just to me and my brother, but also my extended family, and of course the many pupils she has taught at Lord Williams School," she said.
"When I meet former pupils who were taught by my mum, they always have fond and funny memories of her, especially of the winter and summer activity trips abroad, where she gave pupils of all backgrounds the chance to experience new things."
Helen said her mum is definitely one of a kind. "When we are on holiday snowboarding I hardly see any ladies near her age on a snowboard. My mum would probably kill me for saying this as she definitely will not accept she is in her 50's - although she doesn't look it. I am very proud of her and she is one of the most active people I know."
During this year Mrs Walker is training for events such as a cycling trek in Kenya at the end of August and she also took part in the Chinnor Half Marathon in May.
She keeps a young-hearted attitude towards her whole life. She said: "You're too young to be old at 50. I would say, this is the start of the rest of your life and make sure you go out and do anything you can.
"If you keep yourself fit it's amazing what you can do. It's only if you let yourself go that you get old."
Email to a friend
Print this page- Champions Red Bull set to unveil Mark Webber’s new RB8
- Aylesbury murder trial latest: ‘Family row night before killing’
- Slipping and a sliding in the Bourg Walk boogie
- Aylesbury murder trial latest: Police criticised over ‘unfair’ interviews with ‘loving’ husband
- Aylesbury murder trial latest: ‘Blood found on husband’s shoes’
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Aylesbury
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -3 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: -1 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 6 mph
Wind direction: South
