ROCK & ROLL

ROCK & ROLL

When was the last time you roller-skated? If you’re anything like me, it’s been many (many) moons – but after chatting with Andrea Stallbom of the Isa Mother City Rollers Skate Club, you might just be convinced to strap on some skates and get rolling.

WORDS: SARAH MARJORIBANKS – IMAGES: MUSTAPHA PARKER AND HEINRICH VAN HEERDEN

“It is just so much fun!” says Andrea. It was an activity that completely terrified her at first, though, which is partly what made her pick it up – as a challenge to push through her fears and a hobby to distract from the stresses of the pandemic and lockdown. “Rolling around on wheels is like being a child again and losing yourself in playing.”
 
She shared her progress on Instagram, through which she quickly connected with other roller-skaters around Cape Town, and then took a few beginner lessons with derby team Cape Town Roller Girls. But she really found her niche one Sunday afternoon when she joined a Jam skate at the Sea Point promenade – a meet-up started by Sea Point locals to just skate and enjoy music. “The vibes were infectious! I don’t know why, but dancing on wheels is so much more fun,” she says.

Andrea was inspired to create Isa Mother City Rollers, an artistic skate club that’s open to all and dedicated to promoting roller skating as a sport and leisure activity and develop dance and artistic skating in Cape Town. “I see artistic skating as the ballet of roller dance – it teaches you all the fundamentals and strengthening to improve every type of dancing on skates,” says Andrea.

To start, you’ll just need your own pair of quad roller skates (2 wheels at the front and back and a toe stop in the middle) and preferably protective gear such as knee pads and wrist guards. And there’s a reason you’ll need those: “You’ll have to learn to fall safely, because falling while learning is inevitable!” she says.

The best part about the community, Andrea says, is that it attracts every type of person. “We have every age group joining in and people from all walks of life. Really, the only requirement is that you are brave enough to put on some skates, face your falling fears, start rolling and go for it!”

“It is also a great full body workout, so those looking for a fun way to get some exercise without it even feeling like a workout will love it,” she says. “Meeting so many new people and sharing a love for this quirky fun hobby together has really been a hugely fulfilling part of this roller-skating journey for me.”

Andrea’s Top Spots to Skate

DHL Stadium in Green Point (the tarred area in front of the stadium): this is where the Isa Mother City Rollers meet twice a week to practise. It’s quiet from traffic and pedestrians, large enough to skate as a big group and also beautiful, with majestic sunsets.

Rollercade: roller rink at Battery Park in the V&A Waterfront with skate hire so you can bring your friends along too.

Outdoor bike paths: There are some wonderfully smooth stretches to enjoy nature and skate a longer distance – we take my dog along and have some fun racing her!

Get Connected

Isa Mother City Rollers meet Mondays and Wednesdays at 5pm at the tarred area in front of the DHL Stadium in Green Point. 

Facebook and Instagram: @isamothercityrollers

Related Posts

Related Articles