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Deja Vu-What's going on in the R&B skate world?RST Op-Ed
I recently attended the annual Labor Day Skate/Sk8-a-thon event in Atlanta and thought to highlight some past RST features:
As you will read in The Genesis of National Skate Parties, John hosted his first Atlanta event in 1995 and a year later with partner Joi Stafford, they hosted their first officially named "Skate-a-thon" over the Labor Day weekend as J&J Skate Productions. Last year, was the first year the two decided to part ways reportedly for reasons of crowd control since the event had outgrown the host rinks. The new set up called for John to host Skate-a-thon for adult skaters under the age of 25 while Joi's Sk8-a-thon was to be for those 25+. Some who attended the 2005 event(s) said it was the first time in a long time they had room to skate since past years often saw the skate floor filled to capacity and sometimes resembling a skate parking lot with barely room enough for any skater to get a good roll. Others added that both Joi's and John's events seemed to have attracted equal amounts of skaters yet, this year, Joi's Sk8-a-thon was jam packed - and over rink fire code limits - while John's events were relatively empty in comparison. It was very clear that the 25+ age limit was not enforced, nor was an adult theme maintained at John's event as young children/teens were seen skating at the Saturday main event. Marvin Gaye once sang a song which asked, "What's going on?" and I wonder if anyone else is asking the same thing regarding not only Skate/Sk8-a-thon, but all of the national skate "parties." On one side, it is very enjoyable to reunite with skaters you have not seen in awhile; it is fun to learn new skate steps and more closely bond with those you respect in the skate world but on the other side, it is a shame that after years of these "skate parties," the adult R&B skate scene is not further along, better organized and more in a position to command respect in the overall skate industry. Only time will tell what the future of Skate/Sk8-a-thon will be but clearly the split for crowd control did not work this year. Does that mean J&J needs to reunite and, as the largest and best attended event on the skate calendar, pool their resources, finances and profits to obtain use of a rink, arena, coliseum or other venue that was made to accommodate 2-3000 people, the majority of whom are skaters? If not, does a strict adherence to stated age requirements need to be followed regardless of whom or what? Since there are now two separate events/options for skaters to choose from, should coordinators (and rink owners) stick to rink capacity limits and once those limits are reached direct overflow skaters/guests to the other Skate/Sk8-a-thon event? RST is only asking and putting these questions on the table for consideration in the hopes that 1-10 years from now conditions will not be the same as they are today. As we asked in our 2003 editorial, we ask again in 2006: Is the primary purpose of these events to elevate R&B quad roller skating, or is there even a particular purpose for these events other than for people to have a good time? If the purpose is to garner more respect for our unique expression of the sport, is that goal being accomplished and if so, how is it being accomplished?.... RST is not discouraging any from attending these National Skate Parties, but we are encouraging THOUGHT from all concerned on how they and these national events can more successfully ELEVATE THE SPORT, while also insuring our long-term presence and recognized impact in the overall world of roller skating. Is R&B, quad roller skating more respected today than in 2003? Are national skate "parties" elevating our expression of the sport or is our skate community only viewed as a group of party-ers who still have yet to organize themselves to become a powerful force in the overall industry? What's going on? - Adeeba Folami -
Posted 09/12/06 |