Tag Archives for exercise

San Francisco Celebrates Roller Skating With Plans For A New Skate Mural In Golden Gate Park

When I lost access to my own physical capabilities as a professional artist, a result of focal dystonia, a neuromuscular disorder, roller skating provided a valuable creative outlet for me. I’m so very happy that all these years later, my worlds have collided and I have the opportunity to celebrate San Francisco’s 6th Avenue Skatin Place through a new roller skating mural in partnership with with David Miles Jr., the San Francisco Godfather of Skate and the San Francisco Recreation & Parks Department.

With community input, we spent months working through design concepts and I believe I we’ve landed on a fun design that celebrates San Francisco roller skating and checks all the functional requirements for park installation, safety, and maintenance.

As a longtime skater at 6th Avenue, my first instinct about doing the mural project was that it was important to acknowledge that it is the people, the skaters, who truly bring all the color and great energy to the space. (Just look at this adorable lil girl!!!)

Photo: San Francisco Recreation and Park Department

So as the artist, I didn’t want to mess with that or compete with it. But I also know that this space has had a number of incidents of being vandalized or otherwise not being treated with respect.

My hope in putting this mural on the center oval at Skatin’ place is to celebrate the legacy of San Francisco roller skaters past, present, and future, and that it also serves to claim this space for roller skaters, so when they all go home, their vibrant colors and lively spirits remain as a symbol to others to have some reverence for this space.

As of February, 2022 we have now received all the necessary local approvals and I look forward to sharing more progress as the mural is installed in the Spring/Summer of 2022!

Recent Press:

The Healing Power of Roller Skating

My friend Arlan Hamilton, once said, “Be yourself so that the people who are looking for you can find you.”

I think there’s probably no shortage of relevant quotes on this topic because of their inherent truth. To illustrate further, I’d like to share a personal story about roller skating.

“Skate Free or Die,” was the lifelong motto of Donn, a dear member of our San Francisco roller skating community. Sadly, as of 2016, he is no longer with us. Considering our ages and backgrounds, we became unlikely friends. Donn once shared this story with me about a time that he was recovering from a spinal injury. Perhaps enough time has passed that it would be ok to share with you now in his honor.

“One night, about 3 years ago … I showed up at Redwood City Skate. I was fresh off of a spinal injury that left me permanently without feeling in my left leg and foot. I could barely still roll – but I had not given up hope. I was struggling to skate that night … until I noticed you in the middle towards one end – doing your thing. And I thought – she’d never believe me if I told her I used to be able to skate (something) like that! But watching you made those ‘feelings’ come alive again – I could ‘feel’ what it felt like to skate that way … and wanted to do it again, no matter what. Quite the inspiration – you were certainly that night.

Look at me now – and all that I have regained since that night … and tell me: how does one repay that kind of debt? I owe you something that will be difficult to ever repay directly.

So … please forgive me for treating you like family – I consider you my Sister. And thank you for being you!”

Over next few years Donn attended more skate parties and put in more skate party miles than I ever have. You could always find him smiling and in the groove wherever there was skating.

Donn B. (RIP 2016) - Photo: Randy Wong

In as much as I had inspired him, he had just given me this enormous gift that I will never forget. It’s one of the things that drives me to share my love of skating with others. Skating is a positive force, with the ability to create friendship, love and healing. 

New Year Skate Motivation

It’s that time of the year again, where we start thinking about starting the new year off with a renewed determination to eat better and exercise more. #NewYearsResolutions

I’m right there with you! For me, this year’s wedding planning and a busy work schedule dropped my skate nights from 3-4 a week to about 1. Dreadful. This is no way to live!

Time to get back on track!

Exercise_Meme

All exercise is great, but as the picture demonstrates, skaters have the advantage to keep up healthy habits because skating is fun and enjoyable!

Here’s a couple tips to stay motivated!

1. Remember why you skate.
Big smiles? (See above photo.) The great music? How about the sweet, sweet feeling of the wind blowing through your hair? Getting love from your skate crew? All these are great reasons to lace up!!

2. Give yourself a micro-challenge
Practice a new skill, or work on a move that’s been giving you trouble for awhile. Mastering a new skill will open many new doors to new ones! Level up!

3. Take photos and videos to share!
Post photos and videos of your skating so that your friends and family can see what you’re up to and cheer on your progress! Maybe they’ll want to join you! (We can’t let those CrossFitters have all the fun!) Create a visual reminder of your journey (See #1).

4. Post-Skate High
Get those endorphins pumping! A great skate brings out the natural feel-good vibes and keeps the motivation going! You’ll feel your body getting stronger and leaner as well!

5. Take a skating class or private lesson
A great way to work out those nervous kinks. Let a certified skate instructor show you the fundamentals! If you already know how, a private lesson can help you unlearn any bad habits and provide some fine-tuning to unlock your full potential. With both money and time invested, you’ll be more likely to keep at it!

If you live in the San Francisco area, I can help! Learn more here.

Good luck in the new year skaters!

Whatever you do, keep rolling!
#SkateEveryDamnDay #RollWithSoul

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