Started snowboarding just shy of my 52nd. I was a volunteer parent with my daughter's school ski trip. Standing around kicking the rugrats back into play, and I had plenty of time to watch the snowboarders ripping by. Snowboarding didn't exist when I used to ski so it was my first look at the sport, and it looked like a lot more fun than skiing. It helped too that when I used to ski it was on Grouse which is all groomers, and there was no park or any concept of side hits.
Anyway, I rented the equipment the next week and went the self-taught route. And deserved what I got.
Going into my 4th full season now (as soon as we get some goddam snow).