Jessie, Rose St, Fitzroy. Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country.

I started skating during Lockdown in June 2020, as an outlet from teaching blank screens on Zoom and to keep myself sane. That time also coincided with the existential dread I felt about turning 30. Desperate to resurrect a semblance of my youth, I rehashed childhood hobbies as well as tried new ones. Roller skating is the cooked spaghetti that stuck to the wall and will be sticking around for years to come.

I adore skating because it allows me to be back in control of myself. It’s a privilege and a chance to do something I love, for no purpose other than enjoyment. Growing up I was conditioned to believe that you should commodify your interests and turn them into something, well I say stuff that. It’s ok to do something strictly for pleasure. It has taught me that it’s ok to suck before becoming mildly good at something, and it’s helped me to accept that no matter how hard we try, we may never be brilliant, and that’s ok. It’s just important we chase our curiosities.
On a Leo note, roller skating allows me to feel my fantasy, that is, my inner flamboyant and exuberant child who loves to dress up, be silly and have fun. Grown ups are way too serious these days, and I refuse to succumb to it. Lucky for me the skating community is abuzz with like-minded folks who are diverse, kind and warm hearted. It has given me a new lease on my social life.

I do all kinds of skating, but I feel most free when I’m skating on the streets. It’s exhilarating because there’s always an element of risk, the terrain may be unpredictable and you’re always kept on your toes, but it’s such a thrill because it can feel like you’re flying. Skating out and about is liberating due to the lack of boundaries, be it physical or metaphorical. It’s a chance to connect with the space and become one with the surroundings. I love skating in areas in and around Fitzroy because of its vibrancy. Rose St in particular is special because it feels like the beating heart of Fitzy and the vibes, immaculate. The area is already full of life, but here it’s especially eclectic, with the buzzing of vendors, street art and a feeling of safety. It’s also important to me to support local businesses, so what better way than to pair skating with coffee and tasty eats, both of which are definitely in abundance here.