by Kassidy Hart–As the weather warms up in Sioux City, more Morningside students can be seen taking full advantage of the hours of sunlight – including a couple rollerbladers. Though the hobby was a popular trend in the 1990’s and seems to have died down since, it appears to be returning to Morningside’s campus.
Only a couple of students have been spotted skating so far, mainly because Iowa has seen warmer springs. The students, Madison Tucker and freshman Hanna Blackmore, have in-line skates, the rollerblades with the skinnier and sleeker wheels down the middle. They both have taken their skates out already, using them when the sun peaked through the clouds.
“Rollerblading is a great de-stressor for me but also allows me to be outdoors and moving my body. 2020 really pushed us to move our bodies and I could see rollerblading as a way for people to get active,” Tucker said.
Most student skaters enjoy skating in their free time and would rather not skate to classes. Whether it be for fear of falling and breaking their computer or the fact they would need to lug around an extra pair of shoes, roller blading used as a mode of transportation for class would be impractical.
“I like to blade to the HPER to work out or just for fun to regain focus. I am a commuter, so I do not have very far to go to class,” Tucker said. “Boarding is a little easier due to the fact you can pick up the board where [with] the blades, you have to bring another pair of walking shoes.”
Though the outdoor activity is looked at as more of a hobby than a way to travel from place to place, students agree that the time they on their skates can be a good break from homework and studying.
“Rollerblading makes you feel free. The wind blowing through my hair is just relaxing. I like rollerblading because it’s a fun thing to do with friends and family,” sophomore Hanna Blackmore said.
Even though rollerblading is making a modest comeback, most of those who are participating in the trend have some sort of history linked with the hobby. Both Tucker and Blackmore grew up skating, having prior experience that they were able to reignite a passion for.
“I grew up rollerblading on any slab of cement I could find on our farm. My mom used to rollerblade with her friends growing up and knows all these amazing moves. I went to kindergarten in Jefferson, Iowa, and a classmate’s dad actually owned the roller rink in town – which I attended a lot [and] gave my mom the time to show me her talent [and] pushed me to try to learn,” Tucker said. “I am nowhere near as good as her, but I love rollerblading.”
Blackmore had a similar experience, finding some of her favorite memories of skating to be with her sister.
“It was something we bonded over. My favorite memory is when my sister and I would race down this really steep hill. We are not very good at braking so once we got the bottom, we would bail into the grass. It was a lot of fun and we would laugh like crazy,” Blackmore said.
Rollerblading is not for everyone, but it is usually impossible for someone to avoid a roller rink for their entire life. Tucker offers some advice for students looking to better their skating skills
“You don’t have to buy new to be good. Most of my rollerblades starting out were from garage sales. Once you have the blades, take it slow, use railings to navigate your places. Work on a small, smooth, level surface until you get used to it,” Tucker said. “Rollerblades have the worst brakes. Most of all, if you fall, get back up and try again. The same day I got told I looked cool blading, I biffed it big time in the grass.”
For those who may try skating but don’t find a particular talent or passion in the hobby, Tucker encourages them to find another outlet that encourages a healthy lifestyle.
“You’ll never know if you don’t try it! [But] if blading isn’t for you, that’s fine! Find a different way to move your body and be active! It sure is nice outside and, more than ever, we need to get outside and breathe that fresh air,” Tucker said.
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