Does roller skating still exist?

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part from movies like Xanadu, those retro roller skating photos you’ve seen on the internet, or that roller skating party you were invited to as a kid, how much do you really know about roller skating?

For ten years, I competed in a sport that hardly anyone had heard about.

Artistic Roller Skating.

Not ringing any bells? You’re probably not the only one who’s wondering whether roller skating is still a thing, let alone a competitive sport. Although artistic roller skating has not been woven as intricately into the fabric of mainstream sport as say, ice-skating or gymnastics, I’m here to tell you that this hidden sport deserves to be brought out into the spotlight.

Whenever anyone asked me what sport I did, I’d always reply,

“I’m an artistic roller skater,”

to which I’d be met with some looks of confusion.

But not to worry because, having grown so accustomed to this common response, I’d promptly jump at the cue and launch into my micro-lecture on the A-Z of artistic roller skating, filling the person in on the beauty and mystery of one of the most incredible sports to have graced the earth – not to be biased or anything.

I’d mention skating and usually, the first thing to come to people’s minds is ice-skating, and I don’t blame them. Artistic roller skating simply hasn’t yet experienced the same level of integration into the Australian pop culture vocabulary as has ice figure skating or speed-skating. It’s no surprise considering that every four years, ice sports fill our TV screens whilst on the other hand, roller sports haven’t quite made it onto the Olympic stage… just yet.

Which is why, I guess, I’m writing this article. Because there’s this whole different sport out there that more people need to know about. Sure, you may have been to a skating rink once or twice, or seen vintage photos of roller discos in the 1970s, but in 2019, roller skating is far from extinct.

How do I know? Well, for the most part of my life, the roller skating rink has been my second home. I have so many great memories of this sport – the gruelling training, the graceful dances, the exciting routines, the music, the lifts and tricks and jumps and spins, the early-morning competitions, the glittering costumes, all that make-up and hair, the travelling, the wonderful coaches and friends you meet along the way, and of course, the blistered feet to remind you of training well spent!

Having spent a sizable chunk of my life in the world of artistic roller skating, I know that it’s alive and it’s growing.

Roller skating may have been the craze when skaters in knee-high socks, fluoro laces, and colourful wheels took to the floor in Xanadu-inspired roller discos; however, what’s to say that it has to stay in the past? 

Roller skating today is well and truly alive and in this article, I hope to convert you give you a little insight into a sport that may be lesser-known yet is still fiercely competitive and one that is close to my heart.

This sport is the most deliciously exciting blend of music and movement, costume and character, stunts and swings, flamboyance and flair.  All this… on eight wheels?

Welcome to the world of artistic roller skating! ...

Roller skating in popular culture

As previously mentioned, roller skating experienced huge popularity back in the 1970s and is yet to see a major resurgence. At the same time that people were boogying at skating rinks under disco balls and flashing lights, artistic skaters were out on the floor during training, practicing for serious competitions. And no, these competitions weren’t disco dance-offs; they were like eisteddfods in a way, where competitors/pairs were called out one by one to be assessed by judges while the audience cheered them on.

Roller skating has been around for ages, but its popularity as a hobby really reached its peak in America in the 1970s to 1980s. There are several incidences where roller skating in films and music really contributed to the popularisation of dancing on eight wheels.

Movies like Rollerball in 1975 and Roller Boogie in 1979 would have definitely brought people’s attention to the adrenaline-filled, fast-paced world of roller skating. And there’s no doubt that Xanadu starring Olivia Newton-John played a significant role in fuelling the craze when it came out in 1980.

I’ve also spotted slivers of evidence of a by-gone roller-crazy era in movies like American Graffiti (1973) where the waitresses of Mel’s Drive-in serve food on roller skates! Man, I’d love to do that! It’d really put the ‘fast’ in fast food!

Inspired by Mel's Drive-In...aah if only roller cafes were still around!

Then there are musical pieces like I will Survive by Gloria Gaynor in 1978 which features roller skating. And not to forget masterpieces like The Starlight Express (since 1984) which was a huge celebration of what roller skating could achieve on a theatrical stage. 

It’s been interesting seeing roller skating in modern-day pop culture. For example, roller derby in Whip It (2009) and even the hilarious opening scene of Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules (2011) at the skating rink.

And how’s this one for a subtle reference?... One day I was casually playing music videos in the background and stopped dead when I saw Meghan Trainor getting down on all fours on my beloved figure circles! It was in Let You Be Right (2018) and I couldn’t help but notice the figure circles that she was unknowingly stomping all over! Haha. Love the song though.

Roller skating rinks may still exist strongly in people’s minds but we are yet to see the competitive side of roller skating grace the silver screen or receive the publicity that it deserves.

So, what is Artistic Roller Skating?

Artistic roller skating is a competitive sport in which the athletes perform in several disciplines at competitions ranging from local leagues to international championships.

Skaters train and compete on concrete flooring or on basketball courts of which three entire courts need to be hired at one time to accommodate the skaters’ wide floor coverage during routines.

The boots worn by skaters typically have four wheels each; however, it is also possible to compete in inline skates where four thin wheels are arranged in a straight line.

Artistic roller skating combines dance and artistic interpretation with technical footwork and tricks on skates.

What disciplines can skaters compete in?

There are several disciplines which skaters can participate in. These include:

Figures

Skaters are judged on their precision and accuracy in tracing the figure circles (in the shape of a figure-8). You’ll learn how to do turns on one leg whilst following a curved line. 

Figures

Freeskate

This is what most people imagine when they think of skating – the jumps and the spins. In competition, you’ll perform an individual routine with various spins, jumps, and combination sequences. When you become more advanced, you may learn how to do sit spins, axels, camels, and more!

Solo dance

These are dances with set patterns and steps that you must follow. You’ll learn a variety of styles such as the waltz, the tango, the foxtrot, the cha-cha, the march, and the blues. I love it because it reminds me of Strictly Ballroom!

Solo dance

Freedance

This discipline is more like contemporary or lyrical pieces in dancing. Your coach chooses a piece of music and choreographs footwork and arm movements that harmonise with the song/music. Unlike freeskating, there are fewer jump and spin requirements.

Pairs dance/freedance/freeskate

This is when you skate with a partner in either a set dance, a freedance, or in a freeskating routine. That’s if there’s a partner available!

Precision

Now we get to the team skates. Precision is where a small group of skaters perform uniform steps within a routine whilst creating different formations throughout the piece.

Quartet

Quartet was something I always looked forward to! It involves four girls telling a story through the music and their formations. Quartet is an opportunity to get into character, use props, and perform cool lifts and tricks. I loved the story-telling component as well as the fun of skating in a team.

Show Group

Another one of my favourites! Show group is where a team of 6-12 (small show group) or 16-30 (show group) skaters tell a story during their performance. With a group, the possibilities of stunts and shapes you can make on the floor are endless! Coupled with an extended piece of music, matching costumes, and the optional use of props, this discipline is a powerful medium for transmitting a message or story to the audience. One of the highlights are the tricks like lifting people into the air, jumping over them, or forming tight circles that turn fast! I love how show group can be so theatrical, entertaining, and thrilling!

How can I get started?

Feeling tempted? Want that exhilarating feeling of freedom that only comes on 8 wheels? Trust me, it’s one of the greatest pleasures to put on a pair of skates and roll away from all the stresses of normal life!

Me running (rolling) away from all of life's stresses

It’s easy to get involved and this sport is super friendly for beginners of all ages! It’s just a matter of locating nearby roller skating rinks and attending Learn-2-Skate classes run by clubs that train at those rinks. You should also look up club pages online to find out when their Learn-2-Skate sessions are.

At these classes, you’ll learn the basic steps. When you’ve completed all the Learn-2-Skate levels, you’ll be ready to have individual lessons with your coach if you decide that this sport is for you! 

Remember, the most important thing is to have fun, enjoy the thrill of it, and to never be afraid of falling… that’s how you get better!

As I reach the end of the article, I reminisce over my skating years and I realise how cool it is to have been a roller skater. I’ll forever be grateful to my parents, my coaches, and my skating family for blessing me with these memories that I’ll always carry through life.

Sometimes, I feel like donning my skates again and rolling around the park, just to get that feeling of freedom again. It’s one of the best feelings and something that more people should experience in today’s society. 

I am reminded of how lucky I am to have once been a part of this colourful, groovy, elegant, and downright awesome world that is artistic roller skating and I only hope that you too can dip into this wonderful world one day, even if it’s just to try on a pair of skates for a few hours at the rink!

But be warned…it’s addictive!! 

Love, Young and Unheroic xx

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