Snowboarding: Age no barrier to this snowboarder

He may be one of the oldest competitors at the Winter Games, but age does not faze 65-year-old American snowboarder and grandfather Dick Schulze when he lines up at the starting gates alongside athletes more than 40 years his junior.

"I'm the oldest guy in the world who competes in professional snowboarding," Schulze said yesterday, after being eliminated in the heats of the snowboard cross event at Cardrona Alpine Resort.

Based predominantly in Lake Tahoe, California, Schulze began spending part of every winter season in Wanaka after he discovered snowboarding in 1998.

"I was hooked instantly."

By 2000, he was competing seriously and has since entered competitions throughout the world, including the Burton Open series and many major events in the United States, competing in snowboard cross, halfpipe, slopestyle, slalom and giant slalom. He also works as a part time snowboard instructor.

Schulze said his age and prowess on the board commands respect from his much younger counterparts.

"I've had more than one of them say to me when they're my age they hope they can ride half as well as I do."

He said although trying to keep up with athletes in their teens and early 20s could be tough, competition was just as fierce against athletes his own age.

"The passions among the old guys are just as intense as they are among the young ones."

While he was "a little more laid back" at yesterday's snowboard cross, because his chances of success were slimmer, "I still go into it with the idea that I'm going to win. I'm going to try."

Do not be surprised to see Schulze's name on the athlete list for Winter Games 2013, as he has no plans to quit competing any time soon.