82-year
old logs
over 20,000 miles
with
In-line Skating:
An ageless activity
(ARA) - Charles Chapman is not your average 82-year-old. Instead of
sitting back and taking it easy, he's running and skating circles against
fellow residents of "The Villages" retirement community, which is about an
hour north of Orlando, Fla.
Chapman skates three times a week, on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, with
the group he founded almost ten years ago, the Rollerblade Whiz Club. So
it should come as no surprise that he has already logged over 20,000 miles
on his in-line skates. He also recently participated in the second annual
Disney half-marathon, beating 137 other contestants ranging in ages from
15 to 65 -- with the majority in their 20s and 30s.
"Charles Chapman and his in-line skate club are a prime example of people
getting the most of their life," says John Rohan, the Villages director of
recreation. "Charles' enthusiasm and excitement for the sport has created
many new participants over the years, his leadership and passion are some
of the main reasons residents decide to get involved. Then, tie in all the
physical, health and social benefits that come with interacting and
participating as group in this activity and the benefits are endless."
Chapman moved from Oregon to Florida a little over 10 years ago. He was
visiting his sister in Ft. Lauderdale for mutual birthdays and mentioned
he wanted to try in-line skating, but was afraid to due to his weak knees
and bad back. Despite his negativity, Chapman's sister bought him skates
as a present for his birthday, and his skating journey began.
"When I returned to my home, I put them on and immediately fell on my
butt. Went out for five minutes, next day 10 and so on until some time
later I was gaining confidence and expanding my horizons -- and most
important, realizing that I had been given a sport that did not hurt my
knees at all."
Not only did his back pain cease, but after two or three months his back
was no longer hurting. Skating built the muscles in his back and which
ultimately helped support it. "Now, nine years later, I still have never
had so much as a twinge of pain in my back," says Chapman.
Even more amazing is the fact that Chapman, a lifetime runner and
basketball player, had his knees replaced in 2001. "Three and a half years
ago I finally decided to have my knees replaced, not due to the skating,
which had actually extended my knee life by
strengthening the muscles around them, but due to the discomfort I always
endured when walking." The surgeon said that the knees had absolutely no
cartilage left and informed Chapman that he'd have to stay off skates for
three months. "I was actually back on them in six weeks, and in a few
turns was back to my old speed and stamina," he says.
People often ask Chapman about the safety of in-line skating, and he
responds the same way every time. "It's ironic that so many people decline
to try our sport because of their fear of falling, yet in many cases where
we lost skaters, it has been due to injuries they suffered while playing
softball, pickle ball, or horseback riding, not skating."
Chapman diligently spreads the "word" about inline skating, telling of its
safety, physical benefits, and social benefits. The Rollerblade Whiz club
members provide free lessons to all residents of the Villages community
and their only requirement is skaters must wear all the protective gear:
knee guards, elbow pads, wrist guards, and a helmet.
"Inline skating is an incredibly rewarding pastime," says Chapman. "The
physical benefits are wonderful and the social aspect is great too."
For more information about the sport of in-line skating, log on to
www.rollerblade.com or call (800) 232-ROLL.