The biggest problems with the rollerblading industry

[loverolling]

So I dont know about u guys, but this is something that occupies my mind from time til time. It would be interesting to have some more opinions and share your perspectives on this SHIT.

Ill make a little list because thats just how I operate.

1. Patents and price

I get that a company has to be able to protect its designs and particular brand innovations but it also makes it so difficult to start rollerblading companies. Look at skateboarding, all you need is a piece of wood and a cool logo and your off.
When it comes to price I think its good that rollerblades cost a bit more than a board. If you buy a pair of skates your commited into making it worthwile. Thats a rad thing..

2. Cant pose with rollerblading

with a bmx or a skateboard u can just roll around and pretend like you know whats up. Whenever I hit a skatepark i immediately make a huge difference between the once who are actually skating to learn tricks and those who are posing. it seems like in skateboarding its around 60 % that just arent taking it serious. But then again it depends on the skateparks. In Berlin for example most of the skateboarders in skatehalle are really pushing it hard, and it seems to be a culture like that. They dont want no poosers around to get in the way.

However when it comes to rollerblading, lets face it, if youre a beginner you are gonna look goofy for a few years. Its definetly the most stylish extremesport out there (we out here!!), but its hard to atract people that arent so damn selfaware all the time. I guess its society to, theres so little tolerance amoung youth these days. It seems to me atleast like it was alot more okay in the 90s to be a bit goofy.

3. The actual sport itself

Some people are claiming that its stagnating, I dont agree with this at all. But maybe to the outside eye it all looks the same.. From my perspective seen everything is getting better. Tricks are getting more tech, bigger, stylish. We have a few pros that are getting a bit old but thats just natural. I would like to see some more innovative skating though, crazy strange cesslides into grinds, rolls to grinds and whatnot. Also freerunning!

4. The internetz

killing dvd and magzine sales. Crippeling the sport and making it into competition-skating only..

5. Politics and a general incompetent attitude within the industry.

Maybe these problems have occured because its a small industry, but then again maybe its a small industry because these problems accur. Im talking about reading a "review" and its basicly only and advertisement with no fucking critique in it whatsoever. Im talking about these shitty washed up pros, or the guys that shouldnt be sponsored but are because they have got an interesting new vest, and are "really nice guys".

6. The conference

I dont think that they get rollerblading.

So will it ever become big again? Will we ever get the exposure we deserve? I dunno really.. Its taking such a long time for the media to catch up. peace out

[Red Rider]

Can we just accept that it's never going to get bigger and move on? To many people try to mystify rollerblading as some magical cause that will someday blow up. Is it some innate hipster gene within that desperately waits for the day when Chris Haffey is being shown in primetime and they can scoff that he was better in Leading the Blind? Is it the ultimate activity to seem cool without trying to seem cool? Or is it just that without rollerblading you would literally have nothing else of any meaning existing in your cold, pathetic existence.

Either way here we are year after year debating about what we need to do to grow as a sport. Why do we need to grow? I don't want people to think I'm trying to be cool! So we justify our desire for our sport's popularity by saying that these hard working pros deserve money. Do they? I don't know. They are just as talented as their peers in other extreme sports. But that doesn't necessarily mean anything. Pro rollerbladers know what they signed up for so I'm not going to feel like giving charity to a bunch of guys with toys on their feet. I rollerblade for free granted I'm no Haffey. But if I decided to recite the alphabet backwards while throwing toothpicks into Air Jordans and became more skilled at that than anyone in the world, I wouldn't expect compensation for that either. So just because someone is skilled at something doesn't mean they are entitled to a dime.

So here we are with a product we are so hyped about that no one else gives a shit about. No one wants to watch rollerblading no matter how many crane shots we use and no matter how well Arlo can impersonate the ESPN guys. No one gives a shit. The sooner people can separate rollerblading as part of their identity and take it at face value as a fun, sometimes social physical activity, they will find themselves much less invested in the politics behind this and the fate of the sport. I can't really think of anything that has changed in the past 5 years and I see no reason to believe the next 5 years will be any different. So let's all just go outside and skate and shut the fuck up about whether or not we're growing because we're not. We do not deserve any exposure. The world doesn't owe anyone shit. There are much more important things to worry about.

[CanonMan]

Rollerblading will be around forever. If we get back into the X-Games and the Olympics things will be better for our sport. We have too many people who WANT Rollerblading to be "underground" and that is it's biggest problem. I lived through it's prime and it honestly has become more special to me at this point but at the same time, it's definitely isolated me from a lot of people. When a crew goes from 20 some odd people to about 5 it tends to cause a bit of an issue. Larger cities probably didn't suffer quite as bad but most small cities have scenes that are slim to none. It will take a national broadcast on ESPN to really bring it back in remote areas.

And I liked what you had to say about 60% of skateboarders "posing". It's like that here in the US too. Kids just there to be there. I think most scenes have that though. Rollerbladers that exist seem to do it just because they are truly into it (unless they are a really little tike). Some would argue that it's because it's easier to do things on Rollerblades however. We did have a lot of kids back in the day that did the same thing though, no progression, no real attempts to improve anything. You really do get what you put into any sport, that's for sure.

[steezy.t]

Half of the problem is the people. The people that i have met in person are the nicest people I have ever met(proving there are nice/accepting people). But seriously i hate this site sometimes... its like if your not playing hip gay music or metal you get judged or hated on so hard.(speakin of 9to5 because i cant read a thread about them without 75% of the comments not even relating to the skating ... but hating on the song choice) People also make such a big deal of what someone is wearing. Get over that people dont just wear fuckin vests or flanels... people have other styles. Same with the skinny jean vs. baggy.. who gives a shit. Rollerblading needs to be more about rollerblading itself. I think the variety of styles, music choice, etc provides wider interest to more people.... and makes the community more accepting and friendly.

[spaniard]

yo

You from Barcelona? Who dat?

[Red Rider]

We have too many people who WANT Rollerblading to be "underground" and that is it's biggest problem.

You honestly think that the factors that play here are a vocal minority doing what they can to get exposure being underminded by a silent majority sabotaging their efforts? I don't even really see how that's possible. There are a ton of skateboarders who hate how "corporate" skateboarding has gotten just as there are fans of things like The Hunger Games that resent the new fans that only got into it because of the movie. Just like those groups though, the people who want it to stay underground don't have any fucking say in how that goes.

Seriously, do you think Daniel Kinney or whoever approaches these TV stations with the WRS pilot, they love it, but then two interns at the station who just happen to be these rollerbladers wanting to keep it underground chime in and put an end to the whole thing?

[HollyBoni]

i don't think there is any problem with rollerblading. i like it this way. i like the thing that our sport is not as popular as bmx or skateboard (im not a hipster ). because half of the bmx guys or skateboarder guys doing it for fashion, and to look badass. i hate those bmx guys who don't do anything just pose with their bmx and shit. also i hate fake skateboarder style. we don't have things like that. we don't have fake rollerbladers and shit.

a like when i see a rollerblader and we start to talk, because there are just a few of us.

[Guy Bulleid]

2. Cant pose with rollerblading

this is a BAD thing? I think this is one of the best things about it. It means a kid new to it is on his blades for a reason other than posing, and it seems to me that this creates a usually good and friendly relationship between the experienced and the newcomers. If I saw a kid who was obviously just in it for the fashion - as is common in skateboarding - I wouldn't be half as friendly and helpful to him as I would to the usual bladerkids. It seems your measuring an industry's worth by nothing more than the money within it. Try looking outside that box

[loverolling]

Can we just accept that it's never going to get bigger and move on? To many people try to mystify rollerblading as some magical cause that will someday blow up. Is it some innate hipster gene within that desperately waits for the day when Chris Haffey is being shown in primetime and they can scoff that he was better in Leading the Blind? Is it the ultimate activity to seem cool without trying to seem cool? Or is it just that without rollerblading you would literally have nothing else of any meaning existing in your cold, pathetic existence.
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Dude you seem really angry, be careful with that gun of yours. Look here rollerblading isnt my entire life, but its i big part of my life and I would like it to go somewhere good. I dont want guys like Bolino skating for nothing. Thats all. I get what you are driving at (I think), you seem to be kinda saying that it should just be appreciated for what it is, not for what its made up to be. But seriously, "cold, pathetic existance"? You dont know me, chill the fuck out u forum nazi.

Its all good though If rollerblading would die I would still have two hands, so could still pull masturbation switch ups. By the way what happend to all the titties and ass threads? You put a stop to those aswell?
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Either way here we are year after year debating about what we need to do to grow as a sport. Why do we need to grow? I don't want people to think I'm trying to be cool!
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Alrighto so its not for you, youre fine with the way things are and the way you are. From my perspective seen that is the definition of what is cool. However I still want Bolino to get cash for what he does. These guys are fighting so hard.. Besides if it grew the sport would grow with it, who the hell (besides you) doesnt want that? Why do you want things to be stagnated in the first place? Just because the sport grows doesnt stop you from doing what youre doing. I respect that everyone isnt completely into rollerblading but rather share the same view that you have on it. I skate with those guys everyday, i call them my friends. However just as much as I should respect there decision to have a more laid back approach to rolling I expect them to respect the fact that if it wasnt for guys who treated it more seriously the sport wouldnt eaven exist the way it does today. We would all be stuck rolling down stairs.
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So we justify our desire for our sport's popularity by saying that these hard working pros deserve money. Do they? I don't know. They are just as talented as their peers in other extreme sports. But that doesn't necessarily mean anything. Pro rollerbladers know what they signed up for so I'm not going to feel like giving charity to a bunch of guys with toys on their feet. I rollerblade for free granted I'm no Haffey.
But if I decided to recite the alphabet backwards while throwing toothpicks into Air Jordans and became more skilled at that than anyone in the world, I wouldn't expect compensation for that either. So just because someone is skilled at something doesn't mean they are entitled to a dime.
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Fair enough. I still think it would be a good thing if we got cash in our industry.
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So here we are with a product we are so hyped about that no one else gives a shit about. No one wants to watch rollerblading no matter how many crane shots we use and no matter how well Arlo can impersonate the ESPN guys. No one gives a shit. The sooner people can separate rollerblading as part of their identity and take it at face value as a fun, sometimes social physical activity, they will find themselves much less invested in the politics behind this and the fate of the sport. I can't really think of anything that has changed in the past 5 years and I see no reason to believe the next 5 years will be any different. So let's all just go outside and skate and shut the fuck up about whether or not we're growing because we're not. We do not deserve any exposure. The world doesn't owe anyone shit. There are much more important things to worry about.
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yeah yeah yeah starving children in africa and all of that. Like I need your help to put what I choose to support into perspective. Not saying that the world owes anyone jack, im saying how can we go out and get what we want? All I care about is the sport itself, I wanna see cool tricks go down, and the people who do them to be compensated for it. I guess that makes me into a monster. Its a god damn rollerblading forum and you are super pissed off that someone has the audacity to talk about something related to rollerblading.

[loverolling]

alrighto perhaps Im a cynical man.. Sadly! But please help me out then, what do you think we should measure it by? The way I feel is we need all these grommets to buy stuff so we can support good projects. Take the good with the bad sort of.

- sorry messed up the quote thingie, message was directed to Sir. Guy Bulleid

[big billy 13]

seems to be advancing to me. creativity seems to be on the rise all the way around. hell look at all of the custom mod jobs people have been doing recently on their own skates. Give it a few more years for this to grow into its full potential and i'm sure "the sport" will be back in business. Skate sales will sky rocket the second J-thursday uses a Jordan skin on a carbon skate and inner city children see back flips being done on them. lolz

[Red Rider]

I get that I come across as jaded, but imagine seeing seeing a topic like this from a bright eyed optimist come up every couple of months for years and realize they are all basically saying the same thing and not a single thing has changed and there is no sign that anything will change. It's not that I hate this post or you or that I'm angry with the world, but this just feels like the forum equivalent to suggesting we should stop electing corrupt politicians and vote for good guys instead. It's all bullshit and will likely never change unless something drastic happened.

Guys like Jon Jon are talented, but it's not my burden if he doesn't earn money. Nobody is pointing a gun to his head when he tries a big gap. If he's unhappy with his compensation then he's free to hit the road and get a real job while another skater will happily take his place.

You're exaggerating what I'm saying by making it out to sound like I'm calling you a monster. You want rollerblading to grow, that's cool. But it's not. And it probably never will. Things have been tried and nothing has worked. The only thing that will save rollerblading is exposure and accessibility. No one will start skating if they've never seen it and it is very hard to convince those who have seen rollerblading to start when they have to spend hundreds on new skates. Instead of really reaching out to new people and making it easy to get started, our companies choose to invest in creating $400 carbon boots.

[i.is.marsh]

i think because of its exclusiveness and it being underground gives it its own unique scene. if you rollerblade you at least care somewhat about it cause noone rollerblades to be cool (lol) but because of that its a tight-knit community with a bunch of great people, if you meet someone that rollerblades your instant friends no matter what else your life consists of and i think that alone makes it better than any other sport. god dam i love rollerblading exactly the way it is

[i.is.marsh]

and other than obvious downfall that if you rollerblade, you are in fact gay

[Guy Bulleid]

alrighto perhaps Im a cynical man.. Sadly! But please help me out then, what do you think we should measure it by? The way I feel is we need all these grommets to buy stuff so we can support good projects. Take the good with the bad sort of.

- sorry messed up the quote thingie, message was directed to Sir. Guy Bulleid

It's a undeniable truth that the more popular a sport becomes the more hangers-on it will get, and with that more money to fuel the people at the top, so I completely see your point that by this standard we're not doing amazingly. However the way that I see it is we're more based around a community than consumerism. Guys like Bailey are undeniably sick and partly in their position because they do sell product to kids who jock them, yet also put at the top of our industry because of their personality and how they'll interact with other bladers. My experiences have made me think perhaps this is one of the biggest differences between us and skateboarding- a pro skateboarder could be a complete asshole but it wouldn't matter because the grommets would still jock the hell out of them. I think using this as a measure of worth blading is far superior to other 'bigger' sports. IMO

[Monday]

You from Barcelona? Who dat?

Soon.

[PA]

didn't read a single word in this thread

[i.is.marsh]

didn't read a single word in this thread

thanks for your contribution to this thread
you must be too cool for rollerblading

[medimystik]

Companies are still making skates, those skates work just fine for me. I couldn't give any less of a shit whether there are other rollerbladers at the skatepark or not. Couldn't care less if Broskow is wearing a vest or if Farmer cut his hair.


I enjoy the shit out of skating everyday you can still pull a pair of boots on, that's good enough for me.

[medimystik]

god dam i love rollerblading exactly the way it is

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