When Roller Rinks Ruled the Weekend

Roller skating! Wow, I haven't thought about those days in a long time. But if you asked me what defined my early 80s childhood, roller skating would be near the top of the list.

My memories are a little fuzzy on the exact years, but I'm guessing the height of my skating obsession was somewhere around 1981, 1982, and 1983.

Friday night skating was the thing to do. Friends and I would head to the rink, lace up those brown skates with the bright orange wheels, and hit the floor. As soon as the music started, we were off.

Surprisingly, skating came very naturally to me. Going forward was easy, and before long I had learned to skate backward, take corners without tripping myself up, pick up speed, and even "shoot the duck." I felt fearless out there.

Photo credit: I love the 80s FB page

 The rink itself had a smell I'll never forget—a mixture of skate spray, popcorn, and French fries. Even now, just thinking about it brings those memories rushing back.

In the center of the rink hung a giant disco ball, scattering lights across the floor while loud, rocking 80s music played overhead. Everyone skated in the same direction, circling the rink over and over—except during the reverse skate, when the DJ would have everyone switch directions.
Every skate night followed a familiar rhythm. 

There was the All Skate, Couples Skate ( remember skating with Tommy Bennett and was so scared he’d want to kiss me. I wasn’t ready for that yet), Reverse Skate (going in the opposite direction), Speed Skate (you could go as fast as you could), Backwards-Only Skate (meaning skating backwards only), Limbo, and Simon Says. Then there was my favorite—Jail Break. If a rink guard tagged you, you had to skate into the center. When the DJ finally shouted "Jail Break!" everyone reversed direction, and the skaters trapped in the middle could race back into the crowd. It was complete chaos and so much fun.

Photo credit: Instagram 80s page

One year for my birthday, I received the coolest skates I'd ever seen—white lace-up skates with hot pink wheels. I even tied a pink pom-pom to the top. I thought I was the most stylish skater in the building.

Photo credit: Walmart.com

Mom would drop us kids off at the rink, usually with a whole group of kids piled into the car. When the night was over, we'd use the pay phone to call her for a ride home. We'd stumble into the car exhausted, sweaty, hyped up on music and fun, and laughing the whole way home.

Those Friday nights at the roller rink were simple, carefree, and unforgettable.