Oh man that made me soooo wanna go do it.
Start small...yes indeed that's how us old school skaters become old, old school skaters no?.
You mean I can't get a new stick for Xmas and be doing pressure flips on my first day?
I've met sooo many kids that have been skating for like four years and have given it up for all the busted bones they received over skating themselves. In 25 years of skating I think I only broke two bones, one toe, and one finger(i ran over it try to grab on the vert, instead of popping to grab)

Can't be many luging days left.......
Have you tried it on ice? I totally want to try that as well.....Calgary apparently you are allowed to give it a good. Tired old sled with rusty rails no doubt.

For the helmet...if I can find a used motorcycle helmet somewhere, any shapes/styles REALLY not conducive to luging? ie..makes you hold your head/neck in a weird position.