Have you laced up your skates and hit the pavement recently? If so, you’re not alone. When the pandemic shook up people’s routines in 2020, roller skaters began taking over streets and skate parks. Skates of all kinds were selling out worldwide.
It’s easy to understand why. Roller-skating is the ultimate activity during a pandemic! Skaters of every age can exercise, get fresh air, and make new friends—all while staying a safe distance apart.
“The coolest part was the community connection a lot of roller skaters [started] making,” says Olive Kaplan. She works at Pigeon’s Roller Skate Shop in Long Beach, California. People tried out different types of skating, like the team sport of roller derby and jam skating. Jam skating combines dancing, gymnastics, and roller-skating.
The sport has been popular throughout history. In the 1870s, roller rinks popped up around the world. Then in the 1970s, roller disco took over. Roller-skating has always been ready to come back into style. Now you get to join in the fun!