Tags: be-mag, belgium, chris piotrowicz, europes biggest rollerblading session, germany, grindhouse, holland, kai schmitz, lars echterhoff, maik lojewski, oliver nermerich, razors, roland wander, rolltogether, rolltogether #14, session, sweden, switzerland, theconference
Everyone agrees that every sport needs competitions and that they're a really important part of a sport's culture. However, we thought that there should be more, something different and something people can relate to when it comes to the fun and the lifestyle we as rollerbladers live.
Story by Maik Lojewski, Oliver Nermerich and Ben Murphy
Images by Lars Echterhoff
Edit by Chris Piotrowicz
When you read interviews it often comes down to that one question, "What do you think about competitions?" The general answer is, besides the positive aspects of a competition, something negative about pressure and the search for 'the one' with just the right vibe.
We noticed that rollerblading is a big deal in our area, but it seemed like everyone was just doing their own thing. Lots of smaller groups of local rollers shredding for themselves. So we thought we would create the setting for a gathering of rollerbladers who usually don't skate together in a chill atmosphere. The only intention was to create something new in order to build up a small community and to make new connections within our local scene. 
In the end everything turned out bigger than we would have imagined. rollTogether became something everyone began to look forward to, organizing 4 hour trips to visit the session and to hang out with their new and old homies. Skaters constantly bringing new people, to show them what rollerblading is about and how much fun it is. And they always leave with a smile on their faces and the promise to come back as soon as possible. 
We soon realized that we had to expand the whole concept because people from almost everywhere kept asking us if we would come to visit their town and their favourite skatepark. Also, the interest from sponsors got bigger and bigger, so we had to find bigger venues where rollTogether sessions take place, and also our programm within each session, so that everyone can attend and gain their own experience about rollTogether and about rollerblading.
Now, people who normally skate alone or in a small group now get the chance to show their skills in front of a camera or a huge crowd. Kids get props for landing a long practiced trick for the first time and get hyped and juiced to push their own limits.
It's hard to describe or define something which defines itself as soon as you're part of it and as soon as you participate. It might sound cheesy, but all we ever wanted was to build up a strong community of people that share the love for rollerblading. And after every session the community-feeling continues to grow. It's a good feeling! 
The edit shown below, which was filmed and edited by one of our original supporters, Chris Piotrowicz, is meant to give you a little insight into the rollTogether vibe.
rollTogether #13 - documentary from rollTogether on Vimeo.
But to get the real experience of a rollTogether session, you definetely have to just join us sooner or later! The next chance to session with the rollTogether community is on June 5th in Eskilstuna (Sweden). 
More information on www.rollTogether.de
One Goal, One Community - rollTogether
Thank you for your attention and support!
- rollTogether (Maik Lojewski, Oliver Nermerich, Lars Echterhoff and Kai Schmitz)
Also make sure to check out our favorite rollTogether edits once again here:
rollTogether 10 from Mathias von Gostomski on Vimeo.
rollTogether 11 from Mathias von Gostomski on Vimeo.
rollTogether #12 - Mühlhausen (Germany) from rollTogether on Vimeo.
rollTogether#13 - Rotterdam (Netherland) from rollTogether on Vimeo.
roll together for me represents something that is sometimes lacking from our sport,not the sometimes ugly arrogant attitude that sometimes raises its head in those who feel every session is just another forum to show you how much better they are than you,rather to those who truly appreciate what skating is all about,a lifestyle through self expression that trancends race,age,ability,status.rollerblading has brought introduced me to some of the most amazing people i could ever meet in life and given me experiences i would swap for nothing.and it is for those reasons come saturday morning,ill be stood next to you,skate on the coping,redy to drop in.
peace.
Great reps to our sport and lifestyle
Cool story
was at some sessions and those always rocked , such a layed back atmosphere!
the rollTogether project is amazing. chilled sessions with nice guys! im proud to be a part from rolltogether!
Rolltogether gave me the best times i´ve had the last 2 years, a whole lot of amazing new friends and at least some new ladys on my facebookpage (must be the awesome pictures from the sessions in my album, by lars echterhoff hehe )
always perfect vibes, nice guys, lovely stuff to win, chilled skating--> sounds good to me !! :) keep it goin !!
Rolltogether is so sick I always envy the parks they are held at. Great work guys
can't believe it. just a few days left. I am coming with a whole crew from the UK!
no events like this in england either
we need more people who really do something and start projects like this! cant believe that there isnt anything like this in the usa....
Love RTG's hope they come back to the Netherlands soon!
Keep it up!
will be there too. it will be my first rolltogether so im excited as hell. wanna go to sweden all my life. looking forward to meething some girls:)
roll together was one of my funniest session ever!!!
it will surely be as fun in Sweden...
hope to see and hang out with friendly rollerbladers out there!!!
The idea and tho work you guys do with the 'RollToGether' sessions is so fucking important for Rollerblading!!!
Of cause we need the big events and contests like Winterclash, but you lay the groundwork for our sport, which is maybe even more important!?
best thing to happen to our industry in the past years....keep it up!
loving it!
this is like the most amazing thing ever.
i want to see an oliver nermerich interview up here, because theres no one in the european scene doing as much for rollerblading as this guy ( and of course his crew).
working for be-mag, organising several things in rollerblading you can't even imagine and also doing his studies and having like 2 or 3 jobs...incredible.
haahah i can see my boys out there! good job!
when i started with skating in 1996 i never thought about that iam still skating in 2010. the rolltogether-sessions are one reason... thanx dudes for all the fun and the hard work behind this!!!
spread it worldwide! want to see rolltogether sessions all around the world
Yeah yeah! Would love to see one more session in Canada!!!!!!!!!