I was mostly gone from skating for 20 years being broke and raising a kid... I would bring him once every couple years.. Once I started getting things straight in life I made skating part of my "recovery". I was a stumby mess.. (I was a decent speed skater in my teens..) but I kept going as part of my schedule. I found some people to talk to that have become great friends in and out of the rink. When covid hit we thought we were going to lose our historical rink from many factors,(needed a full new heating system etc )but we all volunteered and did repairs and cleaning and had multiple yard sales to raise up a few extra dollars to keep obnoxious music licenses current.. Numbers are back up now and new people are coming all the time. Our "rink rats club" don't officially work there but we do what we can to welcome and help people learn so they have fun and want to come back.. I Just had belly surgery 3 weeks ago but I went every Tuesday and Saturday to sit and chat while I couldn't skate. It is part of my existence.. and next Saturday I'm allowed back on wheels... guess where I'll be.. btw.. I'm 55 on speed skates and will skate till I absolutely can't..
I can relate to almost all of this! I loved skating in 6th grade and went weekly. Then it fell by the wayside. Once I hit my 20’s I always told myself I’d start going to the adult skate nights as it sounded fun. Almost 20 years later I never did. Broke, single parent for many years. Finally last month I decided to just do it and man I’m glad I did. It’s so fun and relaxing and definitely feels like “recovery”.
Your channel is about so much more than roller skating. I’m so glad I found you. I try to “keep the fun going” in order to not get burnt out with skating. Also varying the type of skating helps. You are also right about social media as sometimes it can be a real joy killer.
Rediscovered skating after a 25 year break. Got my sister back into it too. We both wondered why we stayed away so long. Also, we started teaching my 16 year old nephew (her son)how to skate and he loves it too.
Thank you so much! This was perfectly timed and exactly what I needed to hear. I’ve been skating for four months and suddenly the passion I felt for my new sport has vanished. It’s good to know that this is common and that taking a break to reset is okay and maybe even helpful. Even if I do decide to take a sabbatical, I’ll keep watching your videos. They’re fun and inspiring and will keep that spark alive.
At 40, got back into skating since taking time off since a kid. Now my kids and wife are into it. They went inline, but I'm keeping quads alive. Just bought my own pair.
Whew. Thanks Mama Dirty for breaking it down to us. I teared up watching because I needed to hear it. 😢 Work, moving and losing touch with people has caused me to pause on wheels. I’m focused on my health now, even strengthening my body for skating with workouts. Thank you so much for the insight 🥰
Yep, once again Dirty is reading our minds. I swear you do this with almost all your videos. And it always makes me feel better to hear you say it!! 😊😘
I needed to hear this. I just took a two week break from learning skating. And I was feeling all of these emotions you described. Thanks for the reminder that I can give myself compassion to take a break 💕
Thanks for the insight as always Dirty! I feel like sometimes you have to step back to appreciate what you have and find your joy again. For me I love learning so what makes me happy about skating is learning new things, meeting new people, and having new experiences, so I agree, try a different style, setting, group or class!
❤ omg Deborah! This video came RIGHT on time and touched the very subject that I've been going through! I'm 50.years young and have a beautiful 11 year old son. I've been skating all my life. you're right, social media (i feel) has turned roller skating into a competition on styles, or who can spin the best, or.who can dance, or dip. I sometimes feel that I have to now learn these tricks in order to stay relevant in the world of skating. I skate because I love it (of course) however there is always that underlying voice asking if this would look good if I posted it on IG. I also had an injury which traumatized me for a while. I say this to say thank you Deborah for this video because I now I know I'm not alone, and I know that I will definitely find the joy in skating again as it so brought me before! Keep posting these videos because they are so therapeutic! Thank you so much and roll on ❤
Your heart and passion for skating is so amazing. I think those of us who started to get into skating recently may be discouraged by watching those who have been skating for 5+ years and are able to “just have fun” since they dont have to drill down the basics anymore. This video definitely reminded me to continue to have fun and to not get upset whenever progress isnt made since that will just take the joy out of skating. Thank u for the awesome content as always!!
I literally just returned to Roller Derby and this was a good topic to follow, and while it didn't help me bc I'd already returned it sure has the potential to help others in a similar situation! I definitely hope so!!!!
Thank you for this. I’m getting my skates out of the closet right now!! I just had surgery so I feel like I’ll never be able to get on skates again. I really needed this video. You’re the best Dirty! 💖
Thank you for always being encouraging and positive. I don't have a skate rink in my town, so every autumn i have to take a winter break until it gets warmer again and it kind of sucks, but skating is so much fun, and such a great and rewarding activity, that there's no way i'd give it up permanently.
I so appreciate that you bring the mental health aspect of skating into many of your videos. Very real, very important. I skated between the ages of 5 and 20, always loved it. Then life happened, I'm 59 and have gotten back into skating. I feel like I've taken back my soul! I am facing, coping with, and overcoming so many emotional obstacles - and you're helping me immensely, Dirty
Thank you for being so inspirational, Dirty Deb! You’re of one the most charismatic people I’ve ever watched and if I have decided to give roller skating a go, it’s all because of you.
What an insightful talk, Dirty!!! How did you know I needed to hear this?!? I started skating again almost 2 years ago at age 44 and have been PASSIONATE about it, but lately feeling like Ive plateaued on “tricks” and feeling a tiny bit stale. Also, skating seems to cause pain in my hip and knee and I have to acknowledge my body’s limits, I guess. I do NOT wanna stop skating and will reflect on how I might be able to do it differently somehow to refuel my joy.
Me too!!! My wife was all... What the heck are you thinking at nearly 50? I just pushed through a recent sprained finger from falling back... Had to do a major paradigm shift from my late teen years to now, that ”tricks" don't mean what they did then!!! If I just turn a 1/4 rotation... We good!!! 👍 Keep it up Suzanne!!! Let's be the next generation of Uncle Bobs!!! (Still skating at 91)!!!
been skating for 3 years and in each of those years, i usually take a couple months break during winter when its way too cold to skate outside (i'm mostly an outside skater) but every time spring comes around and it starts to feel warm, i get that itch again. even when i think i've fallen "out of love" with skating, once that warm weather comes around it never fails to spark my love for it all over again and i always come back to your videos
I broke my leg in two places skating on Saturday. Had surgery today. I'm heartbroken. I want more than anything to be back on my skates but its also a scary thought. This video is everything I needed.
I last skated in an indoor rink in early 1992 but started up again in 2022 after watching your videos on outdoor roller skating. This week I turn 70. Now I feel better physically than when I was in my 50s. Thanks much for your encouragement as well as your expertise! I want to be like your uncle and still be rolling at age 90.
I’m someone that took a break from school more than ten years ago. I was sure that I wasn’t going back at this point. I start my first semester on Thursday. I will be putting my skates back on as soon as the cold weather breaks and spring decides to finally spring
You are the Oracle of Skating. :-) I felt this way (what you describe) when all the ice rinks closed and i couldn't ice skate any more and felt like I was going to lose all my progress. In actuality, i needed the break because i was getting stuck in bad habits and being lazy about just getting through lessons. 3 months into the pandemic, however, i started getting antsy and ended buying my first pair of roller skates. i sucked so badly at first but just kept doing it, because there was nothing else to do! Once the ice rinks opened up again, although it took a few sessions to get my ice legs back, the time off the ice and the time on wheels had improved my overall skating skills so much!! And it taught me that my brain sometimes just needs some time to get used to the idea of a new skill and it's not ONLY about where my foot/leg/arms/weight go. Now i do both depending on my mood and whims. thx!
When I take a break, usually during winter, I think of it like any other sport: I'm in the off season. Athletes are still active during the off season, just in different ways.
Wow, this is exactly what I needed to hear. I love skating, but for some reason have not had interest to skate for the past few months. I’m glad I’m not alone.
Hey dirty, over the pond here in UK. Your videos are getting me through some stuff, my skates are back out now.. thanks for doing what you do love your infectious personality too 😊
Just got my Sure Grip Park Series Trucks the day after the rain... Why? So I could skate in the rain with my California Roll Shark Wheels! Although a day late and a dollar short... No, no, no... That's not what I meant... A day late for the rain, I still put the new set up on my Chicago's!!! I felt so stable!!! I even took the hose to the back patio. I can't wait for another good rain. I even got some new Sure Grip Motion Wheels, so I could be more agile outdoors... I want COVID to be 💯 gone so I can try out my Phenolics, Ice and Fame wheels in the rink! I wish we had a Pigeon's rink in the IE. I love how the openess would vent out the area very well. I would also love to be able to be at the new pop-up in NYC... I wish the IE had outdoor rinks, like I had in Alaska, so I could convert it to a pop-up roller rink!!! I just don't trust the local rinks to be clean enough. So I won't chance it yet...
For all you wonderful skating peeps who sometimes need a pause, yes, skating is like life. We skaters do benefit from other skaters patronizing rinks and outdoor venues. We also benefit when you care for yourselves and take a rest. I have been roller skating on and off since 1971. And I even took adult private lessons for several years. I am still always learning and enjoying all skaters I meet, especially newer ones. You are all absolutely fantastic.
Feels good to hear that ! I wanted to quit several times in the last few month mainly because I'm making low progress. I'm not practicing enough due to weather, bad time management and lack of motivation being alone in my practice. But I kept pushing myself even if it meant doing only one session a month. As a result I found victory in small progress. I also found a rink in a french city not that far that will I'm sure help me regain motivation and confidence. I'm trying also to change my focus by searching skateparks, etc. And your videos are playing a big part in my desire to keep going forward. I'm grateful for all the work you've done so far ! Thanks Debby ;) Have a beautiful day
I appreciate your vids so much, i started skating because of your vids and advice and I needed this one so bad! I started a full time job plus 2 hour commute and ive been so discouraged about not having the energy and the body pain to skate anymore. thank you for your inspiration
wow, I came for skating, but I left with Soul Food. I'm beginning skating because I'm transitioning into the best days of my life out of the worst days of my life. Keeping shining you beautiful soul! You're making a huge difference in this world. Blessings!
I started skating in March but since it isn't the best time to be skating outdoor on the east coast I did stop/take a break and started it back up again and can turn alot better than b4!!! Sometimes you need to take a step back to keep moving forward!!!
This was very well said! Sometimes the skating community can be so toxic and make it hard to come out of ruts! Do you who care what everyone else has to say!! It’s rollerskating just have fun
These videos have absolutely inspired me to buy some skates, invest in great outdoor and indoor wheels and just check-in for great tips/tutorials. So glad I found her on YT!
I started skating again 4 years ago at 56 when a video called “Love is Free” of the Moxi Team night skating popped up on UA-cam and was posted by Planet Roller Skate. I started following Indy @ Planet Roller Skate who was so full of happiness, love and joy. Her videos were so helpful, instructive, clean, encouraging and fun with zero negativity. I haven’t lost my love for skating at all but I lost my love for following all skaters with the exception of you. What Pigeon and many others did to ruin Indy’s career was cruel, uncalled for and heartbreaking, it revealed their true characters. You are the only one that didn’t bend the knee to the violent hateful mob. If you sold merchandise I would definitely purchase directly from you. Your videos are very helpful, instructive and fun as well, but every time I see you at Pigeon’s I don’t always watch. Her shop had very poor service with my Moxi’s and I ended up having to go directly to Ridell to fix my loose and uneven eyelets which Pigeon’s people blamed on incorrect lacing. So I’m happy you’re here and even though I’m still “good footing around” you encourage me to keep working on that “up and coming foot!” Thank you!
If this post didn’t have your name on it it I would swear I wrote it! Everything is 100% my experience and thoughts (except you’re 3 years older). I will add: social media has put me off skating just this year. At first it was interesting seeing selfie videos of peeps skating in my feed every two minutes has put me off. Will finish by saying what is even worse is seeing anything to do with Pigeon. She latched onto Indy’s popularity (her excellent fun videos) dragged her into her business then threw her under the bus. Nasty Biatch
Thank you for the inspiration ! I finally got back into skating since I was a child but then I twisted my ankle and THEN it was winter in NYC! Now that it’s spring I can’t wait to get back out there! Roller skating has always made me free. I’m hoping to see you at Rock Center in NYC and getting your autograph!
Honestly if I could skate out my door, I would do it a lot more. But I always have to drive somewhere and it takes forever just to get all geared up. Those little obstacles stop me and they shouldn’t :/
I been on a 6 month break due to a foot injury I got from working. I was just trying to get back into it then work got in the way then I injured my foot, but I'll be back at it when my foot heals!
This Video game at the perfect time period. I'm pretty much a beginner and on Sunday on Sunday my feet came out from under me and I landed right on my tailbone.It was extremely painful, and now I'm very sore and gun shy about skating again. But you've convinced me to set a date to get back on skates! This Saturday is the day! Thank you💜
This video hits home for me. I was a rink rat from the age of 7, my mom would drop me off at the rink and pick me up 4 hours later. When I was 15 my first real job was at the Echelon Skating Center in Vorhees NJ, again, a rink rat. If i wasnt working, I was skating and sometimes, i worked with my skates on. It was the best job. Then I moved to WV, had a b/f and i put skating aside. Then we moved to NW Florida and though they had a rink, i just wasnt into it because I didn't have my Jersey friends. Married at 21 3 kids by age 27 . At 27, I was diagnosed with aggressive Rheumatoid arthritis but I tried not to let that stop me. I threw a couple kids bdays at the local rink in Orlando but i could tell, I wasnt up to par. My RA was taking over my brain in a way that I lost all confidence in my ability to skate. I am now 53 yrs old, had both knees replaced 6 years ago, my ankles joints look like they belong to a 90 yr old woman but something in me is trying to burst out. I am feeling really nostalgic for the 1980s ( at my skating prime ) and my mom, my daughter, even my husband at times all think I am nuts for wanting to skate again. I am afraid to go to an open admission skate , fear of being knocked down by kids so I decided that my upcoming birthday, I am renting my local rink for a private birthday for MYSELF. I've invited a few good friends and I plan to give it my all. If this turns out to be my goodbye to skating, I want it on my terms, not RA's. As a backup, I am bring crutches and a walking boot, just in case. 😆 i have been enjoying your videos, getting my brain back into the game. I love skating with all my heart.
I love this ❤ Thank you so much for making this video! I haven’t been able to skate for a little over a month now. Letting my feet heal. You gave so many great tips 💓💖
You totally understand what’s going on with people. You connect in such a positive way and I think that’s great. I use to eat, sleep, breathe and everything to do with skating when I was in my teens until I married a fellow skater at 20yrs old thinking we’d live with our skates on, meaning we’d skate at the rink whenever we could. What a shock when after I said I Do, he was thinking, I’ll have her working 2 jobs while I did nothing, I’ll show her who’s boss and no more skating for her. What a shock all this was. Divorced him after 22 months of marriage. Walked out holding my 5wk old baby, my deaf left ear and a renewed pride. After all that and what’s lead up to now some 38yrs later, I was given my new skates that I’ve been wanting for some time, so now I own 4 pairs of skates and I’m dying to get going!!! I absolutely love the way you encourage people and you live for skating. Recently when someone heard from my son about my new skates, this person asked if I’ve ever roller skate, in which my son burst out laughing and said, My mom is Ms. Skater. She loves roller skating!! Yes, yes I do LOVE roller skating!!😊🛼🛼🛼🛼(👈🏻These look like my new skates!!)🥰💗
Dirty, thank you so much! I just broke my fibula and tibia so I am forced to take a break. This is so hard so I cried while agreeing with you. I love being able to call you my teacher. I really love you and pray I recover fully to get back to my journey.
That’s is so timely. I’ve casually skated as a kid and recently I’ve enrolled in classes to be a better skater. I dislike my class though because everyone is progressing so quickly, While I’m still trying to learn how to use my big toe and little toe 😫. Thank you for this encouragement to preserve, have a goal in mind, but rest when needed
Thank you for addressing this topic. I think there is a lot of pressure to perform from outside sources or pressure that you're not a true skater if you're not doing it everyday for hours.
Thank you for the inspirational and encouragement talk. I love all your videos and I will start skating again once I strengthening my knee. I love the skate dancing videos because that's where I want to enjoy learning and practicing. Thank you so much for all your hard work in putting the training vides together for us to learn and practice. Love you!❤️
This is timely. I threw myself into skating and reaching my goal of re dscovering the only sport I ever lived for (23 years after being on skates last) and was great at. I had some pretty serious back surgery in 2020. I got back on skates at 48. We then had 2 lockdowns in Australia . Our roller rink also closed and changed owners. We were expecting an ice rink to open according to rumours. Then authorities taped off the local skate park. Just before that, a friend and I went to the skate park. The worst of my fears happened. My toe stop came off and I tripped and ard fell flat on my back on the concourse 10 months after surgery. My one and only fall. I was sooo disappointed in myself since I was always a brilliant skater. I totally lost my nerve. I couldn't even stand in skates. Deeply fearful. Deeply upset.That was a year ago. I got busy with work and other stuff. Skates sat in the back of my car. So I did what you said here. Cleaned up my 3 pairs of skates. Last Saturday night, we returned to the re opened rink ( luckily not turned into an ice rink although I have ice skates aswell). As I laced my boots, my friend who was with me when I fell in tge skate park was reading my mind. She said, "You got this. You'll step out there and be better than ever". I did. So my second skate life begins at nearly 50. After a bit of a false start. The break was good. Needed. I'm joining a group of ladies who are like me on Wednesday nights at the rink for social skate. I'm back on wheels. And the weirdest thing? The fear has gone. We know muscle memory exists. I don't know what has clicked in my brain, but a good deal of my previous ancient skate ability has begun to come back. I don't know what the 'moves' are called but I'm doin' 'em! And if your uncle is anything to go by Dirty, I've got 40 odd years left in me yet to enjoy my passion for skating! Thanks for being my constant inspiration. You're amazing. Best coach ever! And you are right. Know when to call it and hang up the skates for a break. Without guilt or self deprecation. It really does you the world of good to step away. The return is pretty euphoric.
Great video Dirty! I’m on a skate break; healing from knee replacement surgery…can’t wait to roll again. Question: Any info on people returning to skating after knee replacement surgery? Thanks for all you do!
I just got my new skates in and they don't have heels this time so having something new to figure out right away has been keeping me practicing a little everyday :) I'm really happy to have returned to something after burnout
Thank you for your wisdom🙏 I was skating and listening completely captivated. Your plan is genius. I was watching your uncle the other day and the way he moves on skates is beautiful. I want that for myself.
My break is involuntary, but I have the feeling that everyone else has progressed so much more than me and I am back to square one. I fractured my ankle last June and even though I was cleared to skate again in January, I became fearful to try again. Then watching poeple on social media who started skating in 2020 during lockdowns and now they are advanced, has done a number on my confidence. My skates sit right near the front door, so I can see them every day. 😢 Also, since I'll be 50 in December, I am feeling like my opportunity to skate has passed.
I love the way there's fresh air at that rink. I sold my skates a while ago and I have been sick ever since. I still think about skating and want to get into it but its so dangerous when you live in a bad area and there's no frinedly rinks around.
Omg the fact that ur uncle still skates is fabulous! I wanna b like that. Please do a video with him, about him, omg tgat woukd b so inspiring for the more mature ones of us.
Super timely video...I'm taking a break from skating because I broke my arm clear through, skating on a tennis court, now I have plates and screws. To be fair i was getting a little crazy with it, skating 2 to 3 days a week, was thinking of taking lessons in person in California with you! As it is, I'm just going to be watching UA-cam videos for the next couple of months.
I have been lamenting both my lack of desire to skate and also to play drums (my other passion). This video came just in time! I like the idea of setting a date and specific intention, and also cleaning my bearings/skates so I come back w the freshness. I’ve mostly park skated but ever since I sustained a weird knee injury in January, I feel like nothing has been the same. I started trying to cross train and right when I’d start getting consistent with my gym time AND skating, I’d fall on my knee AGAIN and have to stop both…it feels like I’ve been on this endless cycle and I JUST unlocked spine transfers at the beginning of the year. I started feeling betrayed by my own body and by skating in general (ESPECIALLY when comparing myself to others on social media), so now I avoid it and don’t feel motivated to get out there and it’s made me so sad. I have spent a lot of my time skating alone so I don’t have much of a community as it is, which is one thing that’s made me sad in the past, but now I’m just sad I don’t have the same joy to skate I used to. I also hate the pressure of having to show receipts on social media to gain more social capital around it…like I’m tempted to just delete all the videos I have of me skating on there so I can make it less of a validation tactic and just use filming as a tool for improvement. Either way, I think a break is do so I can create a regular gym/strength routine and then sprinkle skating back in there. Also…I think ya girl needs to try dance skating finally!!! All these accountability tips are so lovely. I hope spilling my heart into the internet makes others feel less alone. Much love to all of you, and definitely many thanks go DDH!
I skated on blades when I was a kid - mostly during the summer of '96. That was a very, very rough year. I'd put them on now and then after that around school and family issues, but never got back into the daily or even weekly skating I used to do before the accident. When I was 20, I got a new set of blades (since my old ones didn't fit anymore), and skated nearly every day after my college classes or after work at my old elementary school playground after hours. I got to the point where I was jumping off of the cement rises (my school was in the hills). I did that for a year or so. Then life hit me again. Mental issues I didn't address or didn't know were there flew to the forefront. I stopped skating. Maybe once every couple of years I would take my blades out one day to whatever rink was closest to me. Always by myself. None of my friends were ever into it. Then I stopped completely. I tried ice skating for a few months in 2017 thinking it would help me. (I'd always wanted ice skates, and there was this area in my little home town that was the perfect size to be turned into a rink, but no one ever developed it - it's still an empty lot - and I'm still mad that it's not a rink.) It didn't have the same feeling as skating, and when I fell backwards and hit my head and got a minor concussion, I quit going to the ice rink, and recently gave my ice skates to my niece. Last January 2021, I was walking along the boardwalk and saw a girl in yellow skates glide by me like she was on air. I don't remember what she looked like, but I remember her skates. I thought... I want to skate again. Maybe it will help with my depression. I knew something had to change, because I was going downhill and couldn't see a way back up. So I busted out my old 20 year blades, put them on, and thought I could pick up where I left off. HAHA NOPE. Not only did I look like an idiot in public, but the zip lock on my right blade snapped in half. I had to walk back to the car in shame. But I still wanted to skate. I missed it. I missed the feeling of the wind in my hair, and the freedom and feeling of 'flying.' So I got quads, and I showed up to Venice Beach one evening where a bunch of people were skating in the basketball court. I got out there, wobbled a bit, but after a few minutes, remembered at least the basics of going forward, and to my astonishment.... the right front crossover!! This woman I talked to (blabbered on to, really) about my journey gave me some pointers, then she did something I will never forget... She turned around, spread her arms to the sides and said, "Look at you! You belong on wheels. Welcome home." And I kid you not, I started to cry. I was never a good skater. I never learned to turn around on blades, but I could go FAST. That my strength. I still struggle with the basics, and turning around makes me fear for my life even after 6 months of skating, and I might take breaks now and then for a variety of reasons from burnout to mental health to work, ect. But I will never stop skating. Even if it's not daily, I will never stop skating like I did before again. And I am really enjoying the American Dance Skating class even though I'm struggling, and am as graceful as a landing albatross. :) The Lord and finances be willing, I will keep going.
I love you so much your videos have been such a huge help and inspiration for me to try and get better at skating. I fell last week directly on my tailbone (it’s been the most painful thing injury I’ve ever had) and have had to take a break and it’s been so hard! Especially because I just got a custom pair of Reidells. But now I’m so scared to go back out, that I’m going to fall and hurt myself again. How do I get over it? One of the biggest reasons I started skating was to help me with my anxiety and now I’ve created a whole new one!
Yea I needed to see this I just came to the conclusion that I needed to take two weeks off for my final exams of the semester but didn't know how to feel about it
I don't take skating breaks. Instead I challenge myself to improve, there is always something you could do better. Yesterday I worked on my left mohawks, not getting on my left back outside edge enough when I turn back to forward. We can always improve our skating with the help of our skating friends.
Bad weather + nowhere to skate indoors nearby means a lot of us are fair weather skaters. When it's dry once more, I always feel like a complete beginner again XD
I started roller skating at the skatepark in 2018 and once the sport blew up during the pandemic, I really started to shy away. I definitely couldn't help but compare myself to other's rapid growth within just a few months of them learning.
Hi, just when I planned to quit ...you sent this video😭 I put on skates again at my 55 on the pandemic, I felt so happy I still remember how to skate, but inside the house. Now I see too much obstacles of going to an outside place to skate safely, but cannot find one, neither other people who can skate with me. Also I'm scared to get injured at my age and give a hard time to my family if I fall, don't know what to do. Also being without a job due to the pandemic and being stuck in a sofa don't help me, I feel pain in all my body due to lack of exercise and movement, it's complicated for me😩
I got Covid three months ago and still haven't been able to go back on skates cause I have heart problems now because of it. I don't know when I'm going to be back but I see my skates every day in the living room and I can't wait... But I really don't know when it's gonna happen....
Hey Deb!! Remember me? Your ski pole buddy? I kinda took a break from the rink but it's bc I joined a derby team and we practice two nights a week. I can't believe I'm a 50 y/o freshie but I am having the time of my life and my teammates are some of the most awesome chicks I've ever met! I'll worry about hitting people once I get the footwork down/make reqs/earn my name and number. You are always out here spilling truth tho and for that you are appreciated.
Currently not allowed to drive or skate after having Angioplasty and NDE- Really missing it.. tried to tell the doctors its low impact -( obvs except when you fall over) !! I'll be back soon!!
I have been around the sun 62 times it’s been so long I am relearning from scratch. I had metal skates as a young girl. Never really learned on good skates. They seem too fast. Lol want to try outdoors. My son said I should go indoors for safety reasons he used to be a floor guard in his young teens.
I had to take a break due to being sick. I also fell with a fresh pair of heavy skates recently. I miss skating but I feel like I’m not learning as quick as I want to.
haha I did take a break from skating. from 2020 to 2022. last year I ordered a size 8 in rainbow riders. they were way to small. only to find out I'm a size 9half. last but not least my grandpa passed on on March 3rd.
Hey Dirty, thank you for all you do 🛼☺️… I have a question, there aren’t many rinks in London, and none specifically for regular skating (just one for roller disco that I know of)… I know right you’re probably thinking what the heck?! A city with rain most of the year and it doesn’t have indoor skating!?! 😂… anyways, do you have any suggestions as to how to facilitate change of this?? 🙂 thank you 😊 x
Hi! I’m 14 years old, but anyways before I started skating I could walk down the stairs perfectly, and my knees never gave me trouble but ever since I started skating (I’ve been practicing tricks but I never fell on my knees) it hurts to squat, walk up and down the stairs, basically anything involving my knees bending and I just want to know if this is something that’s common within rollerskating?
Are you warming up before skating? Do your skates fit properly? How is your posture? She has a great video on posture that might help! Aside from that, if it keeps up, talk to your pediatrician about seeing an orthopedic Dr.
@@renise011 Thank you so much! I do believe that I may have bad posture, alongside with the fact that I don’t really warm up before skating. Thank you so much for your advice!
yes this is common when starting out, basically your muscles are not strong enough yet as your tissues around the knee are still adapting to taking all the pressure. These exercises from Asha over at skatefresh helped me out a lot, ua-cam.com/video/zdCjZZ7cYfs/v-deo.html and ua-cam.com/video/b_ecvNT0vQE/v-deo.html
Awesome video. Dirty put her therapist hat on today...I'd like to skate more but my rink sucks and the nearest decent rink is about 2 hours away. Of course there's skating outside but the vibe is different. Would be nice to get tired of skating and need a break.
Hi dirty I've been watching your videos for a month I wish I could skate but due to budget reason it cost a lot here in the Philippines thank you for making these video's if you hadn't I would have gone crazy by now LOVE YOUUUU
I told my friend tonight that I skate for fun and to be technically correct. I have been taking lessons for 6 months and at this point, skating is niether! Thanks DD
I was mostly gone from skating for 20 years being broke and raising a kid... I would bring him once every couple years..
Once I started getting things straight in life I made skating part of my "recovery".
I was a stumby mess.. (I was a decent speed skater in my teens..) but I kept going as part of my schedule. I found some people to talk to that have become great friends in and out of the rink. When covid hit we thought we were going to lose our historical rink from many factors,(needed a full new heating system etc )but we all volunteered and did repairs and cleaning and had multiple yard sales to raise up a few extra dollars to keep obnoxious music licenses current..
Numbers are back up now and new people are coming all the time. Our "rink rats club" don't officially work there but we do what we can to welcome and help people learn so they have fun and want to come back.. I Just had belly surgery 3 weeks ago but I went every Tuesday and Saturday to sit and chat while I couldn't skate. It is part of my existence.. and next Saturday I'm allowed back on wheels... guess where I'll be.. btw.. I'm 55 on speed skates and will skate till I absolutely can't..
I love everything about this comment.
I can relate to almost all of this! I loved skating in 6th grade and went weekly. Then it fell by the wayside. Once I hit my 20’s I always told myself I’d start going to the adult skate nights as it sounded fun. Almost 20 years later I never did. Broke, single parent for many years. Finally last month I decided to just do it and man I’m glad I did. It’s so fun and relaxing and definitely feels like “recovery”.
Get out of my head DD! Starting back to skating this weekend, haven't had my skates on since a fall last June. This video is amazing, thank you x
I will not stop until I can skate backwards like that as u talk. 💯 it's so soothing... love it
Your channel is about so much more than roller skating. I’m so glad I found you. I try to “keep the fun going” in order to not get burnt out with skating. Also varying the type of skating helps. You are also right about social media as sometimes it can be a real joy killer.
Rediscovered skating after a 25 year break. Got my sister back into it too. We both wondered why we stayed away so long. Also, we started teaching my 16 year old nephew (her son)how to skate and he loves it too.
Thank you so much! This was perfectly timed and exactly what I needed to hear. I’ve been skating for four months and suddenly the passion I felt for my new sport has vanished. It’s good to know that this is common and that taking a break to reset is okay and maybe even helpful. Even if I do decide to take a sabbatical, I’ll keep watching your videos. They’re fun and inspiring and will keep that spark alive.
At 40, got back into skating since taking time off since a kid. Now my kids and wife are into it. They went inline, but I'm keeping quads alive. Just bought my own pair.
Same here lol, i forgot how fun it was.
Whew. Thanks Mama Dirty for breaking it down to us. I teared up watching because I needed to hear it. 😢 Work, moving and losing touch with people has caused me to pause on wheels. I’m focused on my health now, even strengthening my body for skating with workouts. Thank you so much for the insight 🥰
Yep, once again Dirty is reading our minds. I swear you do this with almost all your videos. And it always makes me feel better to hear you say it!! 😊😘
Yes!!
I needed to hear this. I just took a two week break from learning skating. And I was feeling all of these emotions you described. Thanks for the reminder that I can give myself compassion to take a break 💕
Thanks for the insight as always Dirty! I feel like sometimes you have to step back to appreciate what you have and find your joy again. For me I love learning so what makes me happy about skating is learning new things, meeting new people, and having new experiences, so I agree, try a different style, setting, group or class!
❤ omg Deborah! This video came RIGHT on time and touched the very subject that I've been going through! I'm 50.years young and have a beautiful 11 year old son. I've been skating all my life. you're right, social media (i feel) has turned roller skating into a competition on styles, or who can spin the best, or.who can dance, or dip. I sometimes feel that I have to now learn these tricks in order to stay relevant in the world of skating. I skate because I love it (of course) however there is always that underlying voice asking if this would look good if I posted it on IG. I also had an injury which traumatized me for a while. I say this to say thank you Deborah for this video because I now I know I'm not alone, and I know that I will definitely find the joy in skating again as it so brought me before! Keep posting these videos because they are so therapeutic! Thank you so much and roll on ❤
❤❤❤❤
Your heart and passion for skating is so amazing. I think those of us who started to get into skating recently may be discouraged by watching those who have been skating for 5+ years and are able to “just have fun” since they dont have to drill down the basics anymore.
This video definitely reminded me to continue to have fun and to not get upset whenever progress isnt made since that will just take the joy out of skating. Thank u for the awesome content as always!!
I literally just returned to Roller Derby and this was a good topic to follow, and while it didn't help me bc I'd already returned it sure has the potential to help others in a similar situation! I definitely hope so!!!!
I got on my skates again after 4 years! It felt so good to roll again. 😎
I been gone from skating for a good part of 20 years im back as a newbie im glad I've found you I love your channel already
Thank you for this. I’m getting my skates out of the closet right now!! I just had surgery so I feel like I’ll never be able to get on skates again. I really needed this video. You’re the best Dirty! 💖
Thank you for always being encouraging and positive. I don't have a skate rink in my town, so every autumn i have to take a winter break until it gets warmer again and it kind of sucks, but skating is so much fun, and such a great and rewarding activity, that there's no way i'd give it up permanently.
I so appreciate that you bring the mental health aspect of skating into many of your videos. Very real, very important. I skated between the ages of 5 and 20, always loved it. Then life happened, I'm 59 and have gotten back into skating. I feel like I've taken back my soul! I am facing, coping with, and overcoming so many emotional obstacles - and you're helping me immensely, Dirty
Thank you for being so inspirational, Dirty Deb! You’re of one the most charismatic people I’ve ever watched and if I have decided to give roller skating a go, it’s all because of you.
What an insightful talk, Dirty!!! How did you know I needed to hear this?!? I started skating again almost 2 years ago at age 44 and have been PASSIONATE about it, but lately feeling like Ive plateaued on “tricks” and feeling a tiny bit stale. Also, skating seems to cause pain in my hip and knee and I have to acknowledge my body’s limits, I guess. I do NOT wanna stop skating and will reflect on how I might be able to do it differently somehow to refuel my joy.
Me too!!! My wife was all... What the heck are you thinking at nearly 50? I just pushed through a recent sprained finger from falling back... Had to do a major paradigm shift from my late teen years to now, that ”tricks" don't mean what they did then!!! If I just turn a 1/4 rotation... We good!!! 👍 Keep it up Suzanne!!! Let's be the next generation of Uncle Bobs!!! (Still skating at 91)!!!
@@Krisstofers YESSIR!!!
been skating for 3 years and in each of those years, i usually take a couple months break during winter when its way too cold to skate outside (i'm mostly an outside skater) but every time spring comes around and it starts to feel warm, i get that itch again. even when i think i've fallen "out of love" with skating, once that warm weather comes around it never fails to spark my love for it all over again and i always come back to your videos
I broke my leg in two places skating on Saturday. Had surgery today. I'm heartbroken. I want more than anything to be back on my skates but its also a scary thought. This video is everything I needed.
I last skated in an indoor rink in early 1992 but started up again in 2022 after watching your videos on outdoor roller skating. This week I turn 70. Now I feel better physically than when I was in my 50s. Thanks much for your encouragement as well as your expertise! I want to be like your uncle and still be rolling at age 90.
I took a break from Skating Monday (yesterday) it was hard. I'll be back tonight.
I’m someone that took a break from school more than ten years ago. I was sure that I wasn’t going back at this point. I start my first semester on Thursday. I will be putting my skates back on as soon as the cold weather breaks and spring decides to finally spring
Congratulations!!!
You are the Oracle of Skating. :-) I felt this way (what you describe) when all the ice rinks closed and i couldn't ice skate any more and felt like I was going to lose all my progress. In actuality, i needed the break because i was getting stuck in bad habits and being lazy about just getting through lessons. 3 months into the pandemic, however, i started getting antsy and ended buying my first pair of roller skates. i sucked so badly at first but just kept doing it, because there was nothing else to do! Once the ice rinks opened up again, although it took a few sessions to get my ice legs back, the time off the ice and the time on wheels had improved my overall skating skills so much!! And it taught me that my brain sometimes just needs some time to get used to the idea of a new skill and it's not ONLY about where my foot/leg/arms/weight go. Now i do both depending on my mood and whims. thx!
When I take a break, usually during winter, I think of it like any other sport: I'm in the off season. Athletes are still active during the off season, just in different ways.
Wow, this is exactly what I needed to hear. I love skating, but for some reason have not had interest to skate for the past few months. I’m glad I’m not alone.
Hey dirty,
over the pond here in UK. Your videos are getting me through some stuff, my skates are back out now.. thanks for doing what you do love your infectious personality too 😊
Just got my Sure Grip Park Series Trucks the day after the rain... Why? So I could skate in the rain with my California Roll Shark Wheels! Although a day late and a dollar short... No, no, no... That's not what I meant... A day late for the rain, I still put the new set up on my Chicago's!!! I felt so stable!!! I even took the hose to the back patio. I can't wait for another good rain. I even got some new Sure Grip Motion Wheels, so I could be more agile outdoors... I want COVID to be 💯 gone so I can try out my Phenolics, Ice and Fame wheels in the rink! I wish we had a Pigeon's rink in the IE. I love how the openess would vent out the area very well. I would also love to be able to be at the new pop-up in NYC... I wish the IE had outdoor rinks, like I had in Alaska, so I could convert it to a pop-up roller rink!!! I just don't trust the local rinks to be clean enough. So I won't chance it yet...
For all you wonderful skating peeps who sometimes need a pause, yes, skating is like life. We skaters do benefit from other skaters patronizing rinks and outdoor venues. We also benefit when you care for yourselves and take a rest. I have been roller skating on and off since 1971. And I even took adult private lessons for several years. I am still always learning and enjoying all skaters I meet, especially newer ones. You are all absolutely fantastic.
Feels good to hear that ! I wanted to quit several times in the last few month mainly because I'm making low progress. I'm not practicing enough due to weather, bad time management and lack of motivation being alone in my practice. But I kept pushing myself even if it meant doing only one session a month. As a result I found victory in small progress. I also found a rink in a french city not that far that will I'm sure help me regain motivation and confidence. I'm trying also to change my focus by searching skateparks, etc. And your videos are playing a big part in my desire to keep going forward. I'm grateful for all the work you've done so far ! Thanks Debby ;) Have a beautiful day
I appreciate your vids so much, i started skating because of your vids and advice and I needed this one so bad! I started a full time job plus 2 hour commute and ive been so discouraged about not having the energy and the body pain to skate anymore. thank you for your inspiration
wow, I came for skating, but I left with Soul Food.
I'm beginning skating because I'm transitioning into the best days of my life out of the worst days of my life.
Keeping shining you beautiful soul!
You're making a huge difference in this world.
Blessings!
Dirty, this is such a beautiful message from the heart. Thankyou 💞
I started skating in March but since it isn't the best time to be skating outdoor on the east coast I did stop/take a break and started it back up again and can turn alot better than b4!!! Sometimes you need to take a step back to keep moving forward!!!
This was very well said! Sometimes the skating community can be so toxic and make it hard to come out of ruts! Do you who care what everyone else has to say!! It’s rollerskating just have fun
preach girl! So many truths in this vid, love this
These videos have absolutely inspired me to buy some skates, invest in great outdoor and indoor wheels and just check-in for great tips/tutorials. So glad I found her on YT!
I started skating again 4 years ago at 56 when a video called “Love is Free” of the Moxi Team night skating popped up on UA-cam and was posted by Planet Roller Skate. I started following Indy @ Planet Roller Skate who was so full of happiness, love and joy. Her videos were so helpful, instructive, clean, encouraging and fun with zero negativity.
I haven’t lost my love for skating at all but I lost my love for following all skaters with the exception of you. What Pigeon and many others did to ruin Indy’s career was cruel, uncalled for and heartbreaking, it revealed their true characters. You are the only one that didn’t bend the knee to the violent hateful mob. If you sold merchandise I would definitely purchase directly from you. Your videos are very helpful, instructive and fun as well, but every time I see you at Pigeon’s I don’t always watch. Her shop had very poor service with my Moxi’s and I ended up having to go directly to Ridell to fix my loose and uneven eyelets which Pigeon’s people blamed on incorrect lacing. So I’m happy you’re here and even though I’m still “good footing around” you encourage me to keep working on that “up and coming foot!”
Thank you!
If this post didn’t have your name on it it I would swear I wrote it! Everything is 100% my experience and thoughts (except you’re 3 years older). I will add: social media has put me off skating just this year. At first it was interesting seeing selfie videos of peeps skating in my feed every two minutes has put me off. Will finish by saying what is even worse is seeing anything to do with Pigeon. She latched onto Indy’s popularity (her excellent fun videos) dragged her into her business then threw her under the bus. Nasty Biatch
Thank you for the inspiration ! I finally got back into skating since I was a child but then I twisted my ankle and THEN it was winter in NYC! Now that it’s spring I can’t wait to get back out there! Roller skating has always made me free. I’m hoping to see you at Rock Center in NYC and getting your autograph!
Honestly if I could skate out my door, I would do it a lot more. But I always have to drive somewhere and it takes forever just to get all geared up. Those little obstacles stop me and they shouldn’t :/
I been on a 6 month break due to a foot injury I got from working. I was just trying to get back into it then work got in the way then I injured my foot, but I'll be back at it when my foot heals!
This Video game at the perfect time period. I'm pretty much a beginner and on Sunday on Sunday my feet came out from under me and I landed right on my tailbone.It was extremely painful, and now I'm very sore and gun shy about skating again. But you've convinced me to set a date to get back on skates! This Saturday is the day! Thank you💜
This video hits home for me. I was a rink rat from the age of 7, my mom would drop me off at the rink and pick me up 4 hours later. When I was 15 my first real job was at the Echelon Skating Center in Vorhees NJ, again, a rink rat. If i wasnt working, I was skating and sometimes, i worked with my skates on. It was the best job. Then I moved to WV, had a b/f and i put skating aside. Then we moved to NW Florida and though they had a rink, i just wasnt into it because I didn't have my Jersey friends. Married at 21 3 kids by age 27 . At 27, I was diagnosed with aggressive Rheumatoid arthritis but I tried not to let that stop me. I threw a couple kids bdays at the local rink in Orlando but i could tell, I wasnt up to par. My RA was taking over my brain in a way that I lost all confidence in my ability to skate. I am now 53 yrs old, had both knees replaced 6 years ago, my ankles joints look like they belong to a 90 yr old woman but something in me is trying to burst out. I am feeling really nostalgic for the 1980s ( at my skating prime ) and my mom, my daughter, even my husband at times all think I am nuts for wanting to skate again. I am afraid to go to an open admission skate , fear of being knocked down by kids so I decided that my upcoming birthday, I am renting my local rink for a private birthday for MYSELF. I've invited a few good friends and I plan to give it my all. If this turns out to be my goodbye to skating, I want it on my terms, not RA's. As a backup, I am bring crutches and a walking boot, just in case. 😆 i have been enjoying your videos, getting my brain back into the game. I love skating with all my heart.
I love this ❤ Thank you so much for making this video! I haven’t been able to skate for a little over a month now. Letting my feet heal. You gave so many great tips 💓💖
You totally understand what’s going on with people. You connect in such a positive way and I think that’s great.
I use to eat, sleep, breathe and everything to do with skating when I was in my teens until I married a fellow skater at 20yrs old thinking we’d live with our skates on, meaning we’d skate at the rink whenever we could.
What a shock when after I said I Do, he was thinking, I’ll have her working 2 jobs while I did nothing, I’ll show her who’s boss and no more skating for her. What a shock all this was. Divorced him after 22 months of marriage. Walked out holding my 5wk old baby, my deaf left ear and a renewed pride.
After all that and what’s lead up to now some 38yrs later, I was given my new skates that I’ve been wanting for some time, so now I own 4 pairs of skates and I’m dying to get going!!!
I absolutely love the way you encourage people and you live for skating. Recently when someone heard from my son about my new skates, this person asked if I’ve ever roller skate, in which my son burst out laughing and said, My mom is Ms. Skater. She loves roller skating!!
Yes, yes I do LOVE roller skating!!😊🛼🛼🛼🛼(👈🏻These look like my new skates!!)🥰💗
Dirty, thank you so much! I just broke my fibula and tibia so I am forced to take a break. This is so hard so I cried while agreeing with you. I love being able to call you my teacher. I really love you and pray I recover fully to get back to my journey.
YOU will come back. Know that. Take your time and care for yourself my skater friend.
That’s is so timely. I’ve casually skated as a kid and recently I’ve enrolled in classes to be a better skater. I dislike my class though because everyone is progressing so quickly, While I’m still trying to learn how to use my big toe and little toe 😫. Thank you for this encouragement to preserve, have a goal in mind, but rest when needed
Thank you for addressing this topic. I think there is a lot of pressure to perform from outside sources or pressure that you're not a true skater if you're not doing it everyday for hours.
Thank you for the inspirational and encouragement talk. I love all your videos and I will start skating again once I strengthening my knee. I love the skate dancing videos because that's where I want to enjoy learning and practicing. Thank you so much for all your hard work in putting the training vides together for us to learn and practice. Love you!❤️
This is timely. I threw myself into skating and reaching my goal of re dscovering the only sport I ever lived for (23 years after being on skates last) and was great at. I had some pretty serious back surgery in 2020. I got back on skates at 48. We then had 2 lockdowns in Australia . Our roller rink also closed and changed owners. We were expecting an ice rink to open according to rumours. Then authorities taped off the local skate park. Just before that, a friend and I went to the skate park. The worst of my fears happened. My toe stop came off and I tripped and ard fell flat on my back on the concourse 10 months after surgery. My one and only fall. I was sooo disappointed in myself since I was always a brilliant skater. I totally lost my nerve. I couldn't even stand in skates. Deeply fearful. Deeply upset.That was a year ago. I got busy with work and other stuff. Skates sat in the back of my car. So I did what you said here. Cleaned up my 3 pairs of skates. Last Saturday night, we returned to the re opened rink ( luckily not turned into an ice rink although I have ice skates aswell). As I laced my boots, my friend who was with me when I fell in tge skate park was reading my mind. She said, "You got this. You'll step out there and be better than ever". I did. So my second skate life begins at nearly 50. After a bit of a false start. The break was good. Needed. I'm joining a group of ladies who are like me on Wednesday nights at the rink for social skate. I'm back on wheels. And the weirdest thing? The fear has gone. We know muscle memory exists. I don't know what has clicked in my brain, but a good deal of my previous ancient skate ability has begun to come back. I don't know what the 'moves' are called but I'm doin' 'em! And if your uncle is anything to go by Dirty, I've got 40 odd years left in me yet to enjoy my passion for skating! Thanks for being my constant inspiration. You're amazing. Best coach ever! And you are right. Know when to call it and hang up the skates for a break. Without guilt or self deprecation. It really does you the world of good to step away. The return is pretty euphoric.
Great video Dirty! I’m on a skate break; healing from knee replacement surgery…can’t wait to roll again. Question: Any info on people returning to skating after knee replacement surgery? Thanks for all you do!
I just got my new skates in and they don't have heels this time so having something new to figure out right away has been keeping me practicing a little everyday :) I'm really happy to have returned to something after burnout
Thank you for your wisdom🙏 I was skating and listening completely captivated.
Your plan is genius. I was watching your uncle the other day and the way he moves on skates is beautiful. I want that for myself.
My break is involuntary, but I have the feeling that everyone else has progressed so much more than me and I am back to square one. I fractured my ankle last June and even though I was cleared to skate again in January, I became fearful to try again. Then watching poeple on social media who started skating in 2020 during lockdowns and now they are advanced, has done a number on my confidence. My skates sit right near the front door, so I can see them every day. 😢 Also, since I'll be 50 in December, I am feeling like my opportunity to skate has passed.
I love the way there's fresh air at that rink. I sold my skates a while ago and I have been sick ever since. I still think about skating and want to get into it but its so dangerous when you live in a bad area and there's no frinedly rinks around.
Omg the fact that ur uncle still skates is fabulous! I wanna b like that. Please do a video with him, about him, omg tgat woukd b so inspiring for the more mature ones of us.
These words are great for peoples mental health are positive and outlook within this spot. Love Australia
Super timely video...I'm taking a break from skating because I broke my arm clear through, skating on a tennis court, now I have plates and screws. To be fair i was getting a little crazy with it, skating 2 to 3 days a week, was thinking of taking lessons in person in California with you!
As it is, I'm just going to be watching UA-cam videos for the next couple of months.
I have been lamenting both my lack of desire to skate and also to play drums (my other passion). This video came just in time! I like the idea of setting a date and specific intention, and also cleaning my bearings/skates so I come back w the freshness. I’ve mostly park skated but ever since I sustained a weird knee injury in January, I feel like nothing has been the same. I started trying to cross train and right when I’d start getting consistent with my gym time AND skating, I’d fall on my knee AGAIN and have to stop both…it feels like I’ve been on this endless cycle and I JUST unlocked spine transfers at the beginning of the year. I started feeling betrayed by my own body and by skating in general (ESPECIALLY when comparing myself to others on social media), so now I avoid it and don’t feel motivated to get out there and it’s made me so sad. I have spent a lot of my time skating alone so I don’t have much of a community as it is, which is one thing that’s made me sad in the past, but now I’m just sad I don’t have the same joy to skate I used to. I also hate the pressure of having to show receipts on social media to gain more social capital around it…like I’m tempted to just delete all the videos I have of me skating on there so I can make it less of a validation tactic and just use filming as a tool for improvement. Either way, I think a break is do so I can create a regular gym/strength routine and then sprinkle skating back in there. Also…I think ya girl needs to try dance skating finally!!! All these accountability tips are so lovely. I hope spilling my heart into the internet makes others feel less alone. Much love to all of you, and definitely many thanks go DDH!
Thank you soooo much for sharing.
I love this message thanks you ❤ 💗
this got me out of my depressive episode
Roller skating is my sanity in addition to creating art. When I’m stressed, its time to go skating for me!
Love your videos! Very insightful. ❤️ thank youuu
I skated on blades when I was a kid - mostly during the summer of '96. That was a very, very rough year. I'd put them on now and then after that around school and family issues, but never got back into the daily or even weekly skating I used to do before the accident. When I was 20, I got a new set of blades (since my old ones didn't fit anymore), and skated nearly every day after my college classes or after work at my old elementary school playground after hours. I got to the point where I was jumping off of the cement rises (my school was in the hills). I did that for a year or so. Then life hit me again. Mental issues I didn't address or didn't know were there flew to the forefront. I stopped skating. Maybe once every couple of years I would take my blades out one day to whatever rink was closest to me. Always by myself. None of my friends were ever into it. Then I stopped completely.
I tried ice skating for a few months in 2017 thinking it would help me. (I'd always wanted ice skates, and there was this area in my little home town that was the perfect size to be turned into a rink, but no one ever developed it - it's still an empty lot - and I'm still mad that it's not a rink.)
It didn't have the same feeling as skating, and when I fell backwards and hit my head and got a minor concussion, I quit going to the ice rink, and recently gave my ice skates to my niece.
Last January 2021, I was walking along the boardwalk and saw a girl in yellow skates glide by me like she was on air. I don't remember what she looked like, but I remember her skates. I thought... I want to skate again. Maybe it will help with my depression. I knew something had to change, because I was going downhill and couldn't see a way back up. So I busted out my old 20 year blades, put them on, and thought I could pick up where I left off.
HAHA NOPE.
Not only did I look like an idiot in public, but the zip lock on my right blade snapped in half. I had to walk back to the car in shame.
But I still wanted to skate. I missed it. I missed the feeling of the wind in my hair, and the freedom and feeling of 'flying.' So I got quads, and I showed up to Venice Beach one evening where a bunch of people were skating in the basketball court. I got out there, wobbled a bit, but after a few minutes, remembered at least the basics of going forward, and to my astonishment.... the right front crossover!!
This woman I talked to (blabbered on to, really) about my journey gave me some pointers, then she did something I will never forget...
She turned around, spread her arms to the sides and said, "Look at you! You belong on wheels. Welcome home."
And I kid you not, I started to cry.
I was never a good skater. I never learned to turn around on blades, but I could go FAST. That my strength. I still struggle with the basics, and turning around makes me fear for my life even after 6 months of skating, and I might take breaks now and then for a variety of reasons from burnout to mental health to work, ect. But I will never stop skating. Even if it's not daily, I will never stop skating like I did before again.
And I am really enjoying the American Dance Skating class even though I'm struggling, and am as graceful as a landing albatross. :) The Lord and finances be willing, I will keep going.
I love you so much your videos have been such a huge help and inspiration for me to try and get better at skating. I fell last week directly on my tailbone (it’s been the most painful thing injury I’ve ever had) and have had to take a break and it’s been so hard! Especially because I just got a custom pair of Reidells. But now I’m so scared to go back out, that I’m going to fall and hurt myself again. How do I get over it? One of the biggest reasons I started skating was to help me with my anxiety and now I’ve created a whole new one!
Hello dirty DH dirty DH don't tell me are you taking a break please hell nooooooooooo. I Love you !!!
Dirty Deb, Life Coach 💜
PRESENT MS. DIRTY!✋😁
I skate to help me clear my mind. It's sure is a stress reliever.
Yea I needed to see this I just came to the conclusion that I needed to take two weeks off for my final exams of the semester but didn't know how to feel about it
I took a good long break , I'm ready to learn again
This motivated me to finally skate the tennis court I've been too shy to skate since I moved here in August. Thank you ❤️
Exactly Sensei dirty
I don't take skating breaks. Instead I challenge myself to improve, there is always something you could do better. Yesterday I worked on my left mohawks, not getting on my left back outside edge enough when I turn back to forward. We can always improve our skating with the help of our skating friends.
No shade Linda but you sound as if you may be retired? I sense a calmness that comes with that lifestyle.
@@Dirtydeborahharry Nope not retired, but skating 3x a week is a priority for me
Bad weather + nowhere to skate indoors nearby means a lot of us are fair weather skaters. When it's dry once more, I always feel like a complete beginner again XD
I started roller skating at the skatepark in 2018 and once the sport blew up during the pandemic, I really started to shy away. I definitely couldn't help but compare myself to other's rapid growth within just a few months of them learning.
The Universe really got me with this video. 🥺
This is an amazing video! Thank you.
Hi, just when I planned to quit ...you sent this video😭 I put on skates again at my 55 on the pandemic, I felt so happy I still remember how to skate, but inside the house. Now I see too much obstacles of going to an outside place to skate safely, but cannot find one, neither other people who can skate with me. Also I'm scared to get injured at my age and give a hard time to my family if I fall, don't know what to do. Also being without a job due to the pandemic and being stuck in a sofa don't help me, I feel pain in all my body due to lack of exercise and movement, it's complicated for me😩
I got Covid three months ago and still haven't been able to go back on skates cause I have heart problems now because of it. I don't know when I'm going to be back but I see my skates every day in the living room and I can't wait... But I really don't know when it's gonna happen....
Hey Deb!! Remember me? Your ski pole buddy? I kinda took a break from the rink but it's bc I joined a derby team and we practice two nights a week. I can't believe I'm a 50 y/o freshie but I am having the time of my life and my teammates are some of the most awesome chicks I've ever met! I'll worry about hitting people once I get the footwork down/make reqs/earn my name and number. You are always out here spilling truth tho and for that you are appreciated.
Currently not allowed to drive or skate after having Angioplasty and NDE- Really missing it..
tried to tell the doctors its low impact -( obvs except when you fall over) !!
I'll be back soon!!
Thank you for this because i broke my arm while skating
I have been around the sun 62 times it’s been so long I am relearning from scratch. I had metal skates as a young girl. Never really learned on good skates. They seem too fast. Lol want to try outdoors. My son said I should go indoors for safety reasons he used to be a floor guard in his young teens.
My hero...
I had to take a break due to being sick. I also fell with a fresh pair of heavy skates recently. I miss skating but I feel like I’m not learning as quick as I want to.
I’ve aQuit skating for nine months now and I’ve been having a hard time getting back into the desire to do it
haha I did take a break from skating. from 2020 to 2022. last year I ordered a size 8 in rainbow riders. they were way to small. only to find out I'm a size 9half. last but not least my grandpa passed on on March 3rd.
Hey Dirty, thank you for all you do 🛼☺️… I have a question, there aren’t many rinks in London, and none specifically for regular skating (just one for roller disco that I know of)… I know right you’re probably thinking what the heck?! A city with rain most of the year and it doesn’t have indoor skating!?! 😂… anyways, do you have any suggestions as to how to facilitate change of this?? 🙂 thank you 😊 x
💜💜💜💜💜
Side question: On a floor like in this video, what is a good wheel hardness to use?
Hi! I’m 14 years old, but anyways before I started skating I could walk down the stairs perfectly, and my knees never gave me trouble but ever since I started skating (I’ve been practicing tricks but I never fell on my knees) it hurts to squat, walk up and down the stairs, basically anything involving my knees bending and I just want to know if this is something that’s common within rollerskating?
Are you warming up before skating? Do your skates fit properly? How is your posture? She has a great video on posture that might help! Aside from that, if it keeps up, talk to your pediatrician about seeing an orthopedic Dr.
@@renise011 Thank you so much! I do believe that I may have bad posture, alongside with the fact that I don’t really warm up before skating. Thank you so much for your advice!
yes this is common when starting out, basically your muscles are not strong enough yet as your tissues around the knee are still adapting to taking all the pressure. These exercises from Asha over at skatefresh helped me out a lot, ua-cam.com/video/zdCjZZ7cYfs/v-deo.html and ua-cam.com/video/b_ecvNT0vQE/v-deo.html
Awesome video. Dirty put her therapist hat on today...I'd like to skate more but my rink sucks and the nearest decent rink is about 2 hours away. Of course there's skating outside but the vibe is different. Would be nice to get tired of skating and need a break.
Hi dirty I've been watching your videos for a month I wish I could skate but due to budget reason it cost a lot here in the Philippines thank you for making these video's if you hadn't I would have gone crazy by now LOVE YOUUUU
Im learning and watching you skate backwards as Im listening
Thank you.
I told my friend tonight that I skate for fun and to be technically correct. I have been taking lessons for 6 months and at this point, skating is niether! Thanks DD
I took a break because I couldn't learn how to. Wish skate lessons were in my area