Here’s good news: In spite of pull of tradition and social expectations, people are beginning to opt out of traditional aging process, refusing to slow down, fall into line, give up, and drop out. Unfortunately, examples of inspiring mature lives too often remain hidden. When brought to light, we exclaim in astonishment, “Isn’t she wonderful for her age,” or “Isn’t it amazing what he is still doing?” When people learn I am still working as a pharmacist, they gasp, “You are still working full time at age 76?” Big deal! Chronological age is an accounting of time gone by, not a measure of physical or mental capacity.

Expression of amazement for age-related competence is patronizing. Ability should be valued for what it is, without reference to chronological age. That point will be reached when more influential and outspoken mature role models come out of “old age” closet and show, if not flaunt, what they and others are capable of accomplishing. They need to help establish an enlightened society in which healthy, productive aging is no longer newsworthy as something special. It will open doors of opportunity and possibilities now closed to valuable and talented people afflicted with nothing more incapacitating than advanced chronological age.

How about you: Are you living a life that rejects tyranny of chronological age? Are you happily marching forward to beat of your own personal drummer? Are you gloriously “out of sync” with convention-bound peers? Are you productively defying archaic wisdom that no longer makes sense? If so, world needs to know about you.

In past century, American life span has increased 27 years. Boomers are first generation ever to have opportunity for a healthy, productive Second Life. They can choose traditional aging route as their parents did, or forge an exciting, unprecedented transition from fantasy-driven “young forever boomer” to real life healthy, productive, ageless bloomer. It’s a matter of choice, not chance. It’s just that simple.

A set of ten skills must be performed in two voluntary qualifying routines, and in final routine for eight qualifying competitors. These skills may include such maneuvers as front and back somersaults, with or without a twist.

Competitors must submit a card listing elements of first qualifying voluntary routine, no less than 48 hours before competition starts. The routine must then be performed with same elements, and in same order as listed.

In second qualifying round and finals, competitors are free to vary order, and type of skills, which allows opportunity to increase routine's degree of difficulty.

A total of nine judges will sit for each competition: a chair, an assistant chair, two judges who will mark only degree of difficulty, and five who will mark only execution of routine.