EXPLORATION OF THE WORLD OF ROLLER WITH ROLLERBEARDING

EXPLORATION OF THE WORLD OF ROLLER WITH ROLLERBEARDING

We are pleased to introduce Jean-Philippe also known as @Rollerbearding on social media. A passionate and accomplished Canadian skater, Rollerbearding has decided to shape his life around this discipline, particularly by providing tips and advice to the community. Today, he has 129K followers on Instagram and 192K subscribers on TikTok! An exclusive interview to discover what roller skating has brought him and to learn a bit more about his journey!

/DISCOVERING ROLLERBEARDING

 

/Salut Jean-Philippe, peux-tu nous dire depuis combien de temps pratiques-tu le roller et comment as-tu découvert ce sport ?

I have been roller skating for about 29 years. I started at the age of 4 with my brother on ice skates and inline skates. I stopped for a while during my teenage years and got back into it in 2019 when the pandemic started. I was looking for an activity to clear my mind, so I dusted off my old skates and started skating every day.. 

I discovered this sport thanks to the movies "The Mighty Ducks 1, 2"! There are specifically scenes where the characters skate inside a shopping mall. These scenes were my biggest influences to get started. My brother remains my source of inspiration; when I stopped, he kept going, and so on!

 

/Can you share with us how roller skating has influenced your life beyond the sport itself?

Roller skating has greatly influenced my life; thanks to this discipline, I’ve had the chance to travel around the world! I’ve also been able to make wonderful connections in the roller skating community and, above all, step out of my comfort zone and grow as a person. I think we can say that it has allowed me to do a lot of beautiful things!

 

/Today you have made this discipline your profession, what do you love about roller skating?

Freedom! That’s really what roller skating gives me and what I love! No matter my state of mind during the day, all I need to do is put on my skates, go out for a ride, and I come back refreshed. It’s something unique, and I hope everyone can experience it one day!

/A DIVERSIFIED ROLLER PRACTICE

 

/On sait que tu pratiques le roller quad ainsi que le roller in line, pourrais-tu nous donner les principales différences ? Y-a-t-il des aspects spécifiques que tu préfères dans l’une ou l’autre de ces deux disciplines ?

I learned to skate on basic inline skates and became interested in quad skating two years ago. However, there are some differences to note between the two styles! 

Front balance is easier on inline skates due to the length of the frame. You can also reach a higher speed on inline skates! Regarding quads, lateral balance is easier thanks to the pair of wheels. And above all, it's easier to dance on skates! 

Despite the differences, it is possible to perform the same movements in both styles. Personally, I love both styles and my choice varies depending on my goal at the moment. If I'm looking to go skating for a fitness workout or to cover a long distance, I choose inline skates. If I want to dance or practice choreography in an arena, I choose quad skates!

 

/Can you share with us the most memorable places where you had the opportunity to skate, whether in your city or in another destination?

There are several memorable places where I had the opportunity to skate in the last two years. The first is the Palais du Patin situé au Québec ! It remains my favorite arena, not because I have several viral videos there, but simply for the atmosphere, the price, and the decor. . Tokyo Dome au Japon où tu retrouves presque tous les styles de patinage en harmonie dans un aréna.Santa Monica à Los Angeles which is, in my opinion, the city of skating. Times Square à New York with the bright lights and the people cheering you on around!

/WHAT DOES ROLLERBEARDING IN SLIDES GIVE?

 

/Can you give us your first impressions of the Slades pack?

The Slades pack is my first pair of quad rollers for life! I was happy to have a pair of skates that can transform into sneakers. I found the idea brilliant because it makes it easier for me to transport my skates during my travels. Today, my everyday pair is Slades!

 

/What is your signature move in quad skating?

My signature move on quad rollers is the Moonwalk! If you don't see me doing that move, then it's the Grapevine!

 

/If you had three pieces of advice to give to beginners who want to start practicing quad skating, what would they be?

My 3 tips for beginners in quad roller skating:

- The most important thing is to wear protective accessories such as helmet, knee pads, elbow pads and wrist protectors.
 - BEND YOUR KNEES! By bending your knees, you lower your center of gravity and become more stable on your skates.
 - "Little strokes fell great oaks", so don't get discouraged too quickly! Roller skating is a difficult sport, but not impossible with practice.

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/And to finish, how do you see the future of skating in terms of popularity and evolution?

The future of skating, in my opinion, is based on the relationship between the skating community and the manufacturers. I believe that the evolution of skating is on the right track! There will be more and more skaters in the world if manufacturers continue to produce quality skates and if communities continue to support skaters with events.

 

So what are you waiting for to go follow the adventures of @rollerbearding on Instagram? We hope you enjoy its content as much as we do!