In Russia quad rollers (with suspension like skate's one) are almost unheard of. And rollerblades (in-line) is very popular in big cities, with schools, clubs, etc.
What the Heck Happened to Rollerblading? (2017)
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Re: What the Heck Happened to Rollerblading? (2017)
#72Earlier quoted context omitted.
Specifically the one famous joke (that even made it onto The Sopranos).... What is the hardest thing about roller blading? Telling your parents you're gay. I never knew a joke could change the course of history.
But why was rollerblading ever associated with homosexuals to begin with? As one who did not know anyone in the 90s who was both a rollerblader and an out gay person, is it a "yeah, but looks gay" thing? I dunno, seemed like one of those things one says when they can't afford rollerblades, or can afford them but sucks at it and gave up.
figureskating
Re: What the Heck Happened to Rollerblading? (2017)
#73Interestingly, rollerblading has become trendy again in Melbourne, Australia.
Re: What the Heck Happened to Rollerblading? (2017)
#74Not PC, but I love Bill Burrs take on rollerblading: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VmMAE0za2-w He connects the demise of rollerblading to homophobia
I use to rollerblade in the 90s. I never heard of this at the time I couldn't have possibly cared less if I had. IMO the problem is I rollerbladed for 3 years and I never learned to stop properly. I basically had to fall on grass or cruise. IMO it died because it wasn't a good hobby for the average person. A skateboard doesn't have a speed problem like rollerblades. A bike has nice easy breaking system. It was a gian…
> A skateboard doesn't have a speed problem like rollerblades
Nonsense, utter nonsense.
Re: What the Heck Happened to Rollerblading? (2017)
#75There were a few years in the early 90s when I probably rollerbladed more than I walked.
Re: What the Heck Happened to Rollerblading? (2017)
#76For me, it seemed like a lot of people I knew got injured on rollerblades vs biking or running. Never gave it much thought but is it inherently more dangerous?
Bike wheels (and feet) are effective across a wide variety of surfaces. Skates have small wheels, so even a stray pebble can knock you to the ground.
Re: What the Heck Happened to Rollerblading? (2017)
#77About 10 years ago I read a bunch of former roller bladers and skateboarders talking about the death of rollerblading in the 1990s. It is much easier to do tricks on rollerblades, also it was viewed as a "gay" activity in a much more homophobic time in society. There was a picture of a rollerblader in a skating mag and they photoshopped pink makeup on his face and made his rollerblades purple. Skaters started calling…
I was a skater from '85-'89 in the San Fernando Valley. I remember there being a narrow lane of what was cool... most activities that weren't skateboarding weren't, because it was a lifestyle, and if you weren't fully dedicated to it and had a good sense of what was currently accepted in the brands/decks, clothing, how you setup your board, etc, you could quickly be labeled a poseur. And this was a moving target. If…
That sounds like, instead of those skaters being free individualists or rebels, they were excessively controlled commercial consumers.
If so, how did that happen, in that case?
Re: What the Heck Happened to Rollerblading? (2017)
#78it became really popular in Oakland since the pandemic started. When things first shut down in 2020, there was nothing to do but hang out at the lake. The parking lot at the boathouse turned into roller blade scene. I also see folks roller blading in the bike lanes sometimes.
Re: What the Heck Happened to Rollerblading? (2017)
#79If you’re in SF, there’s a rink in GG park by 6th ave on the north side. There’s always music playing, it’s a good time. Very popular
SF also has the Church of 8 Wheels at like Fell and Fillmore.
Re: What the Heck Happened to Rollerblading? (2017)
#80About 10 years ago I read a bunch of former roller bladers and skateboarders talking about the death of rollerblading in the 1990s. It is much easier to do tricks on rollerblades, also it was viewed as a "gay" activity in a much more homophobic time in society. There was a picture of a rollerblader in a skating mag and they photoshopped pink makeup on his face and made his rollerblades purple. Skaters started calling…
> also it was viewed as a "gay" activity in a much more homophobic time in society. There's hockey on rollerblades, I'm sure there's nothing "gay" about that. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roller_hockey
There is, I'm sure plenty of roller hockey players are gay.
That said, though roller hockey uses rollerblades, I would view it as a separate hobby from roller blading.