As a kid, each year, I can remember writing in my letter to Santa, asking for a pair of roller skates. That’s what they were called and what they were back then. I was always fascinated by the whole idea of rolling down the streets. And growing up in the generation who watched Sesame Streets, Punky Bruster, Different Strokes etc. It seemed like a cool thing to do. And ofcourse not forgetting the famous Back to the Future where Michael J. Fox perform this awesome stunt on roller board, that was what we all wanted to be.!
But, I never received them. My Santa never brought me a pair of roller skates and neither did my parents or anyone else for that matter. Ofcourse they were not available in Sri Lanka then, but even those who went abroad didn't bring me a pair. Even if they did bring, there was no place to skate. These new carpeted roads and smooth pavements only came recently my dear friends. When I was a kid, roads and side-walks were these thick tarred structures.
Life went on and I grew up to be an adult who never got her Christmas wish come true.
Until...
Last Tuesday.! 13th January 2015 to be exact. The day I should mark in my diary and ofcourse write a new letter to Santa saying “in your face!!!”
For those who are completely lost and confused by now, let me ease your minds and get to the actual point. The Sri Lanka Rollerblading Club. That is what they call themselves. A new Facebook club which is not limited to cyber socialising but dedicated into ACTUAL human to human contact.
Here’s how it all began. Uliana, a Russian native coming down to Sri Lanka falls in love with the country and the people and stays here working and living. But face it people, the beautiful nature and hospitality only goes so much. It does get boring when you stay for longer as there’s nothing much to do rather than go clubbing or pubbing. [you have something to say about that? Comments are always welcomed below]. After all the regular tourist attractions and activities what is really left for people to do? So Uliana was bored. And her friend brought in a pair of Rollerblades and was telling her about how useless her Rollerblades are and then “boink” ! IDEA! Why not we start a roller-blading club?! And that was what happened. By mid 2014, They started off with just 2 pairs of Rollerblades, skating around only those 2, and now they have bought 7 pairs with a membership of 30 and growing...!
Uliana says “ this is not a money making project. It is free. To join the club and the Rollerblades to use completely free.” She also says “our dream is to make younger people get together and do sports. It makes you feel better and make life interesting.” Although she says "younger" people, absolutely anyone can try it. The membership already have those who are young at heart.
Rollerblading although seem like a lazy thing to do or a substitute for walking or running is infact a very good workout. Even though to someone watching at a distance don’t see it, the actual movement to keep the body balancing on the blades and the posture and art of the whole thing takes a lot of effort. It builds up leg muscles, strengthen them and it spreads throughout upto the gluteus [buttocks], and lower abdomen and lower back. Apparently research has shown that rollerblading builds up lower limb muscles more so than running or even cycling! And burns more calories in a single hour than jogging or walking in the same period. Best part is, it is less strenuous and low impact on the joints. So for those who have weight issues or even just wanna loose a few, but worried about joints, this is the work out for you. Those with knee implants and joint pains and yet need to work out for health considerations this would be a much suitable activity. Also the vibrations on the feet help with the blood circulation that could help in coagulation or blood clotting. Also let’s face it, its old school fun! You get to meet people, hangout and workout at the same time. Mind you, having fun and actual human inter-relation is also a part of health & wellbeing.
These guys meet up every Tuesday at 5pm at Nelum Pokuna – Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre to roller blade. They put on music and just have fun.
Even kids can join. But Uliana says, kids are allowed ONLY if one or both parents are accompanying them.
Dulani is one of those people who has joined the club with her entire family. I got to meet her husband and child mastering the art while Dulani is still learning. She says “ I joined this group a few months ago and have tried my steps about 5 times. And now I can balance myself to standing”.
Bryan a new member who started just that day and was learning the art of falling. But he’s a good sport about that. You can’t learn without falling. And he says “this is my first day. It feels like as if life is on wheels anyway”. See that’s the spirit.! In a world where defeat and loss is taken in such a fowl manner, learning through falling a few times is a humbling experience. Kind of reminds us how we learnt to walk as babies.
I was pleasantly forced by the members to try on too. Yes, I did say that it was a childhood dream. But now I was completely chickening out! But after some persuasion I did try it on and managed to stand balancing. I did feel what they were talking about. It looks like gliding, but there is actual work out going on in the feet and legs. When I was learning to move I didn't feel it but once the blades were off I understood the workout part.
There is an art to it. Bending from the knees, bending forward and gliding to sides, if you really follow the guidelines you don’t fall that easily. Besides, there are the senior skaters who teach you and watch you. So it was pretty safe.
You can find out about all their activity by visiting their Facebook page. Like it , share it and just bring your friends and have fun rollerblading!
I know I will!
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