Inclusive rollerskating club gets aptly-named East Vancouver home
Posted October 26, 2021 7:02 pm.
Last Updated October 27, 2021 10:37 am.
It’s been a long road, but a Vancouver rollerskating club finally has a long-term home — just in time to host all the people who fell in love with the retro sport during the pandemic.
Rolla Skate Club has invited people in the city to lace up and skate at yoga studios, in parking lots, church basements, and art galleries. But now they have new digs with a very fitting name.
The club will be offering lessons, parties, and roller derbies at an iconic space on the PNE grounds described as a “unicorn dream space” by founders Lucy Croysdill and Carla Smith.
“The fact that it is actually a building called ‘Rollerland’ just ties that little bow on top,” Croysdill says.
The deal has been something they’ve been working on for years, as the building only hosts the fair for two weeks in the summer, and it’s rented by film companies.
“We just kept diligently reaching out to them every six months or so, saying ‘Hey, how’s it going? Hey, how’s it going? One of those messages landed at the right moment with the right person,” Smith explains.
“We showed them how this could be a real community asset — what this could provide for kids in the area, youth, people who are gender diverse, people who need a place to go to do something other than going to the bar — just a really positive outlet for people. I think COVID has shown us all how important some of these joyful activities that you can do that support your physical and mental health, how important those things are,” Smith explains.
The opening night party sold out in four days. But themed events will take place every Saturday. A full schedule of lessons, fitness classes, and other events for kids, tweens, teens and adults will be released in the new year.
Croysdill says they saw people drive or take transit for over an hour to come skate with the club, which prides itself on being a welcoming, diverse space.
“Our mission is to empower women to feel strong and challenged on rollerskates. That’s where we start from, a lot of our classes are majority women or non-binary folks,” Croysdill explains.
“We don’t restrict anyone but our core messaging is all about challenge, and strength, and growth and, play, and fun and joy — and that you can do that at any age.”
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The COVID-19 pandemic meant clubs had to change how they operated, and roller derbies — which involve physical contact — had to halt. But solo and small-group rollerskating surged in popularity.
“If you ask anyone, they’ll tell you that that rollerskate sales have surged during the pandemic. People have asked me before What do you think that’s all about? why rollerskating why now?” Smith says.
“People started to realize really clearly that they need to do certain things for themselves as human beings, to feel like they can make it through their day — whether that was exercising, or meditating, or breathing, or cooking or whatever it was that they did that made them feel healthy and strong and whole. I think it really excited people.”
Part of what makes it a good hobby or pastime when times are tough, Croysdill thinks, is that it really requires you to pay attention, and stay engaged.
“Once they put those roller skates on their feet, they realize, ‘Well, this is something that I really have to focus on. All of my cares go out the window because I’m trying not to eat it. I’m trying to stay up on my feet. I’m learning something new that’s really challenging.”
They’re hoping a dedicated space will give people who may have been skating on their own in parking lots or at tennis courts the chance to discover a community. The return of full-contact, competitive roller derbies is something Croysdill can’t wait for.
“It’s one of the most diverse, one of the most welcoming one of the most body-positive sports and communities I’ve ever been involved in. We’re excited for that to come back into the public realm and to reach more people.”
