Three-year-old Dakshajith SM does not mind getting up with the birds and travelling all the way from his house at Nedumangad to the city. By 7 am, when I catch up with him, he has already finished a few rounds of roller skating around the little space outside the gates of Kowdiar Palace.
Meanwhile on an overcast evening at Poojappura Saraswathi Mandapam, the open space is packed with young skaters. Even the hint of rain in the sky does not dampen their enthusiasm. Many of them are zipping past each other, speeding on their skates on the tarred surface. While one batch has just finished their session, another group is relaxing inside the mandapam, awaiting their turn. Parents occupy every available space to see their children in action.
Over the last few years, roller skating has become one of the most popular activities during summer holidays. The interest in roller skating picked up after Kerala State Sports Council recognised Kerala Roller Skating Association and the sport in 2013. “The skaters get many benefits now on the basis of their achievements at the official championships conducted by the Association. It includes grace marks and admission to colleges in the sports quota,” says Prem Sebastian, secretary of Trivandrum District Roller Skating Association (TDRSA). TDRSA has recognised 12 roller skating clubs, but there are several unrecognised clubs in the city and its outskirts.
That was not the case when J Santhosh Kumar began skating nearly 40 years ago. “I had to make myself a pair of skates then! I still have that pair. Once I mastered skating, I wanted to pass on the thrill of skating to youngsters and I have been doing that all these years,” says Santhosh. He has been training studetns of the Kerala Roller Skating Academy, Poojappura, for several years now.
Skating is being promoted as a good exercise, especially in schools. Therefore many schools have active roller skating clubs. “Most of them hold regular competitions as well. The sport goes a long way in improving concentration and balance,” adds Al-Ameen of Spark Roller Skating Academy at Eenchakkal.
Pointing out the benefits of the sport, Santhosh proudly talks about 10-year-old Arshak Shaji. The speech- and hearing-impaired Arshak is a master on skates and has won medals for the club. “We are now giving training to 20 children of Sree Chithra Poor Home to take the sport to more people,” he adds.
Against all odds
The fact that the city does not have a proper skating rink for practice or competitions has not out the brakes on the sport. A skating surface, ideally, should be a banked track (a skating surface built at an angle) rather than a flat surface. Also, while at least a 150 m-track is required for practice, the skaters in the city get to train on just 40- or 50-m tracks only, that too on cement surfaces or roads.
A young skater in action at Poojappura Saraswathi Mandapam
In adddition to Poojappura, the clubs usually train enthusiasts at Kowdiar, Attukal, and Central Stadium among others. “Even small cemented halls and private roads are used to teach skaters. Some clubs practice together at one available place, either in the city or on the outskirts,” says Prem. The stretch at CRPF camp, Pallippuram, is one such spot where children practise on weekends. The Chakka-Shanghumugham road is yet another location, where children can be seen speeding away on skates in the wee hours of the day.
“There is a huge risk involved when we take kids for practising on roads, be it Chakka-Kovalam or Chakka-Shanghumugham stretch. But those who are preparing for competitions need to get training on the road,” says Krishna G Kottoor of Travancore Roller Skating Academy.
Rolling on the wheels
Almost all clubs admit children from the age of three. First they are taught to walk with the skates on. Then they learn to take longer strides, dragging the skates along and once they are confident on their skates, they move on to gliding.
For the students, the excitement lies in pushing the speed limit. “Nothing can beat the sheer thrill of gliding on the skates,” says Aadisha Santhosh, a student of class five. Her friend Advaith P Nair, who took to the sport four years ago, adds, “It might look boring for others when they see us doing the same thing daily. But for us it is about increasing the speed every day.”
Some parents talk about how the sport has changed their kids. “The first lesson they learn is to pick themselves up after a fall. They learn to overcome fear and become confident,” says Pramod Kumar whose sons, aged 10 and five, are avid roller skaters.
On the skates
* Skates fall into two categories — quads and inline. Quads is the traditional skate with four wheels. Inline skates have wheels that are in line with each other.
* While beginners’ skates cost ₹ 850, basic skates with rubber wheels are priced from ₹ 2,500 onwards. Quad skates with shoes, chasis and wheels cost ₹ 10,000 and up. A full set of inline skates are priced at ₹ 45,000
