Rejuvenating Sports (of Sorts)

A great writhing mass of baby boomers are moving into their golden years, looking mortality in the eye, and swearing to not go quietly, and not without a fight.

Trouble is, many boomers are not in such good shape.  Forget fighting, a mild scrap could bring on a coronary.  

But physical condition, strictly speaking, is not the greatest problem - it's attitude.  It's feeling old and acting old that can put a boomer in a grave sooner than might be desired.  And anything under 100 is sooner than desired for most of us.

I believe I may have found an answer in sports.  Not just any sports, though.  Not sports like tennis, golf, badminton, handball, bowling, pool, or even ping pong.  All of those are too aggressive.  They make you angry and that's not good.  Pissed off people rarely make it to 100 and beyond. In fact, if you are (were) a routinely angry boomer you are probably dying (dead) already.  Doesn't that just piss you off?

No, what boomers need are life-affirming, adventurous sports, and I know two good ones:  SCUBA (diving) and Motorcycling.  I know, I know.  Some of you cynics out there won't think of these as true sports, since (unless you are in a spearfishing tournament or racing) there isn't any obvious competition.  But I respectfully disagree, since both hold an element of competition, it's just that it's with yourself, a constant contest to become more skilled at each.

If you don't know anything about SCUBA (Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus), then look up, a) a documentary about Jacques Cousteau, or b) old episodes of Sea Hunt.  Lloyd Bridges' Mike Nelson is indelibly stamped in most boomers minds as the archetypical diver, but Cousteau had the Calypso and the advantage of being non-fiction (mostly).

If you want to know the thrills of motorcycle riding, watch the following, in order:  Easy Rider, old episodes of Then Came Bronson, On Any Sunday, The Road Racers, and Faster.  If you are short on time,  just watch 'On Any Sunday', it pretty much says it all, and Steve McQueen's in it.

These sports are perfect for creating and nurturing an adventurous spirit, and are not too hard to pick up at a level of basic competence.  Significant training is required to be really good at either, but that is also part of the appeal - learning is a forward-thinking and hopeful activity.

Both can be dangerous, but, again that's part of the invigorating appeal.  And, let's face it, when you reach the number of birthdays most boomers have already celebrated, just waking up is a risk.

And both SCUBA and motorcycling reward late-blooming beginners in a unique way.  If you had taken up either when you were in your teens or twenties, chances are you would be a physical wreck by now - there is a price to pay for a long lifetime of active involvement in either. However, by starting them later in life, their life-enhancing joys can actually make you feel younger, more alive, and possibly help you live longer as a result.  

Kind of a miracle.  But if you happen to be one of those boomers who has racked up a lifetime in either of these sports (God forbid both!), you might not see it that way.  You might think it's unfair and get really pissed off about it.  

But if you do, you might not make it to 100 and beyond - so don't.  Just hobble on down to the water, or swing that gimpy leg over your bike, and keep on keeping on.  You might be battered, but you will be an expert, and can give all the Johnny-come-latelys a hand...