Wheels and Thrills: Inside Bratislava's Roller Skating Culture
Step into the colourful realm of Bratislava’s skating scene, where wheels meet creativity, and community thrives.
It’s an early spring evening, the days are getting longer and in the crispy air, I am walking at speed toward Namestie Slobody.
As I get closer, I can hear the giggling and the laughter and I walk a little bit faster: the session has already started, and I don’t want to miss out!
As I get there, the usual sparkle and glee tingle every cell of my body: I smile, I put my skates on, and I just try to take it all in.
The pink speaker has already been placed in the middle of the square, and the most irresistible music is pumped all around: it is impossible not to move. Some skaters are experimenting with new tricks and moves, cheerfully trying to find the perfect sync, whereas others are cruising in their fluorescent wheels, rolling at the rhythm of an Italo disco tune. A girl wearing her headset is quietly practicing a complicated choreography in a corner; she is completely in the zone, she looks like a mermaid.
A few puppies are running around, curiously staring at their owners who childishly slide on those bizarre footwear of every shape and color. Colors, pastel colors everywhere: in the leather skates and in the wheels, in the hoodies and pants, even in somebody’s hair.
This is not La La Land. It is just another Tuesday night for the skaters of Ahojwrld.
SO..HOW DID IT ALL START?
Ahojwrld is a roller skating club that first saw the light in 2021, and that has been exponentially growing since then, becoming a vibrant and multifaceted brand new reality in the Slovak capital.
Natalidani, one of the founders, explains that the project developed and came to life naturally and organically: when she started her adventure on roller skates, she happened to meet a few partners in crimes on the way; the occasional and often unplanned gatherings gradually became more structured and organized, and the group eventually developed into a proper skating community, that currently counts over 40 people, and that is involved in a variety of thrilling activities.
ROLLER SKATING CULTURE
Most skaters I have talked to share common thoughts and feelings about their experience in Ahojwrld: many of them- including myself- would describe the encounter with this magical bunch as life-changing and enriching. Having bumped into this group after a long period of solo skating, we all felt included, non-judged and safe from the very beginning.
Another common pattern in all stories is that none of us had a clue of what we were in for: we joined for the skating, and we found ourselves involved in a plethora of social events; we ended up discovering new places in the city, striking a pose during photo shoots, learning about the history of roller skating and dancing at roller discos! Some of the members even made it to a morning TV show!
Ester, one of the pioneers of Ahojwrld, explains how roller skating has completely transformed her attitude toward sport: ‘In the past, I had always done sport in highly competitive environments, and wasn’t really able to focus on the enjoyment that comes with moving. Skating, however, is an opportunity to be truly present and to strengthen a mind-body connection.’
And skating is so much more than mere physical exercise: what we are truly talking about here is the building of a new culture and the development of a real community.
As Ester points out, Ahojwrld is a very heterogeneous group: there are people of different ages, backgrounds, jobs and interests; however, everyone is somehow willing to contribute in their own special way.
‘Each one teach one’ -explains Ester- ‘is a common motto in roller skating communities, and it perfectly summarizes the core values shared by all members of the group: tolerance,celebration of diversity, and willingness to help others. In roller skating, progress comes through individual struggle, but you are never alone’.
A VERY SPECIAL SLOGAN
For those who are accustomed to social media glossary, the slogan that was chosen for Ahojwrld’s T-shirts might sound familiar: “May all your delulu become trululu”.
‘We came across this motto on Instagram and immediately felt it best represented the spirit of our group’ - explains Natalidani- ‘I see all of us being completely out of this crazy world that is full of discipline and rules: we are adults who meet outside and, although being civilized and having normal lives, we go crazy together, just having fun, listening to music, philosophizing, conversating. There is this aspect of complete delusion in the society we live in, and I just think it’s so beautiful’.
The best way I have found to close this article is to use that same dreamy slogan to wish for everyone to dare more, to treasure the magic that is in all things, and to be a bit more delulu.
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This article was brought to you by the bridge, specialist English language training centre providing high quality, professional English language courses for students with a variety of needs and goals.
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