Quad-rollers are a growing population at local skateparks, and recently I got to spend some time with members of CIBMKE, at 4 Seasons Skatepark. I was much impressed by their skills, and how quad-rolling has been changing their lives.
I made photos and asked questions, and they were kind enough to take some time in answering those queries…this post is the first of two, and features Janelle and Jocelyn. The second post features Molly and Megan!
Interview answers have been edited for clarity and length…
How old are you? How long have you been rolling? 28, I bought my first pair of skates at 26.
What got you started rolling? I wanted to prove to my dad that I could moonwalk in skates…LOL. I am the founder and chapter manager of CIBMKE.
Has rolling changed you in ways outside the skatepark? It has taught me to be patient and confident. Commitment and confidence are key attributes to park skating. I’ve learned to trust my body and that I’m capable of a lot more than I think I am.
Related to last question, have other people in your life seen a difference in you since you started rolling? Definitely! With skating, I’ve found more opportunities for solo growth and tons of new friends at the same time. My friends say I’ve come out of my shell and that my love for skating really shows. It’s given me a sober activity (which is hard to find in Wisconsin, given the major bar culture.) I’ve been told it has made me fearless and I’ve started to stand up for myself more.
What has been your proudest rolling moment so far? Starting the CIBMKE chapter! I’m so proud to have built a beautiful, inclusive, welcoming community and to help other people grow as skaters.
Did you roll when you were younger? If roller rink birthday parties count, then yes.
What one thing would you want other people to understand about rolling? Every body is different! What is easy for some will be difficult for others. We all learn at our own pace, there’s no skill or time requirements. Skating is about feeling the wind in your hair (or helmet) and just having fun!
Funniest name of a trick you want to perfect? The ho-ho
How old are you? How long have you been rolling? I am 36 years old. I roller-skated as a kid, lots of birthdays at the roller rink. But in early 2019 I started skating derby, just recreationally (bootleggers), not on a team. Once COVID hit (Spring 2020), derby shut down. Then I was just trying to get in trail skating. In June, I went to 4Seasons’ first Queer/Femme night and by the end of July, I was OBSESSED with aggressive/park quad skating.
What got you started rolling? How did you find CIBMKE? When I I totally got obsessed with park skating, I was skating with my fellow displaced derby bootleggers family. I didn’t want to keep using the derby social media for park meetups so I stated the Femme/Queer Quad MKE Facebook page so that my friends and I could coordinate meetups. When I opened the page, I reached out to Janelle (we skated in bootleggers together). I knew that she was skating the parks regularly and asked that she help me manage the Femme/Queer Quad MKE page. She agreed and also said that she had just got the green light on starting a Community In Bowls (CIB) Milwaukee Chapter. We paired up with Molly, who was also regularly skating and was more deeply connected to the skateboard community. We worked together on some fundraising and then Janelle took over the Aggressive Quad class at 4Seasons. We started having regular meetups and are steadily growing! It’s amazing!
Has rolling changed you in ways outside the skatepark? Oh heck yes! I am a lot more happy and healthy. I find that my mental health has improved exponentially!! And that seems to be a shared experience with many of the folks we skate with. My confidence and capacity to make healthy lifestyle choices has improved. The relationship with my body has improved LOTS! I identify as a fat person, and it can be a very negative and limiting state of mind. But skating has shown me, proved to me, that my body is amazing, and that no matter the size and shape, I am strong and can do really amazing things. I’d also say that I have been very pleased with finding lots of queer family at the skate parks. I was surprised, but it was exactly the space that I wanted and needed to find my queer family. Not at a bar, but somewhere that we all were engaged in sharing the Stoke, investing in ourselves. I really feel like I’ve been able to sink into a more authentic queer identity since I started skating. I feel like I’m finding my home, you know.
Related to last question, have other people in your life seen a difference in you since you started rolling? Yes. I’d say that people respond to me with more admiration and as being inspired. I find that I get a lot of people reaching out to me by telling me I’m smashing it and that it seems like I am very happy, or that they see that I’m doing well with my life. And they are not wrong. I am probably the most happy I’ve been in a really long time, maybe ever. Also, I notice that people respond to me in more healthy ways. I attribute this as a combo of my improved mental health and confidence n also getting a lil more respect from people for showing my passion and investing in it (in myself) whole heartedly and with joy and community. I’m not attracting and attracted to toxic connections with people anymore
What has been your proudest rolling moment so far? Oh dang. Probably dropping in. And my first slide. Any time I do something for the first time really. It’s the best. I’m also very proud of the Community that We have been building. I have made some amazing friends that I feel totally connected to. I think all the love and support we give each other at the park, all the praise and encouragement… it’s just the most beautiful thing. It bonds us in this perfect way.
Did you roll when you were younger/as a child? Oh yeah, lots of birthday parties at the roller rink when I was a kid.
What one thing would you want other people to understand about rolling? Anyone, no matter the size, shape, age, skill level… ANYONE can skate. Be patient, Practice. Practice. Practice. , and never stop having fun!
