Rolling with the Cal State Rollers

Started in 2016, California State University, Long Beach's campus club, the Cal State Rollers, has always aimed to create a safe space for all identities, all of which are brought together by one activity- roller skating.

Although roller skating has been around as early as the 1760s, the activity has had its ups and downs when it comes to its popularity. The city of Long Beach has always been a huge skating spot, and still is until today. With the pandemic popularizing roller skating more than ever before, many students have gone out of their way to buy skates and teach themselves. This has created a whole new community of skaters, and now that we are back on campus, there is no doubt that these students are looking for others to go skating with.

That's where Cal State Rollers comes in- and no matter your cultural identity, you are welcomed.

"We are college students that get together to roller skate for the social experience. We are an inclusive group of students that skate together, roller-skating and rollerblading, to create bonds and gain experience to further. Our goal as a club is to create a safe and enjoyable environment that revolves around skating."

The already huge skating community in Long Beach is always ready to embrace new members with so much love and support. Specifically, the Cal State Rollers club at CSULB offers every individual and identity with a welcomed space and the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of skating, the history, and so many tips and tricks.

With this final project, I hope to create posts that inspire and educate students at Cal State Long Beach and beyond of the important history skating has to offer and the huge inclusive community it has created within the past year and a half by showcasing the rising campus club: Cal State Rollers!

Skating Student Spotlight

When looking at the roller skating community as a whole, it is important that we look towards those in it that keep roller skating and blading alive. For this first S.S.S, or Skating Student Spotlight, I chose to showcase a Long Beach student and friend of mine, Ashley Chi!

Towards the beginning of the pandemic, Ashley was determined to learn how to roller skate and soon fell in love with it. She was able to snag a pair of skates before they sold out country-wide, and took to the streets to teach herself. It has been so fun to watch her progress while learning and find her community; consisting of other students in Cal State Rollers and a plethora of skaters in Long Beach. Not only does roller skating ignite a huge passion for many, but it offers an extremely inclusive community that focuses on teaching, uplifting, welcoming, and spreading love to others- which is exactly what Ashley does.

"I am so grateful for roller skating and all of the people I have met that share the same passion as I do. If I didn't push myself to go out there and learn, I would have never met my new amazing friends of all ages who are so supportive and inspire each other to grow."

Whether you are just learning like Ashley was at the beginning, or a long-time skater, communities such as Cal State Rollers are waiting for you with open arms.

If that hasn't inspired you to pick up your own pair of skates and want to learn more, here is some important history:

The Goal: Skating, Inclusion, and Diversity

As previously stated, the main goal with this final project is to extensively highlight how Cal State Rollers strives to include all identities within their club. By showcasing their pictures and videos on social media while also providing a safe environment for all, this campus club strives to emphasize the importance of inclusion and diversity; highlighting voices of color, all sexualities, and gender identities.

By attending and setting up events such as Peace Push and Skate for Peace in Long Beach, skating in support of national issues including the Black Lives Matter movement sends the message to not only their own members, but students across campus that they are loved, welcomed, and acknowledged.

In terms of all sexualities and identities being supported as well, the Cal State Rollers encourage all students to be themselves! The skating space is one that is very queer and LGBTQ+ friendly, and is a community that is open to all gender identities.

Saying that the history of roller skating is highly driven by Black and Queer communities, it only makes sense that this would be the goal of the Cal State Rollers club on campus, as well as many skating environments across the country. It is important that these backgrounds, cultures, political issues, and identities are given a voice. It is clear that Cal State Rollers plans to continue this goal of creating a safe space for everyone, through the shared passion of skating.

My Personal Experience with the Roller Skating Community

Along with many others, during the pandemic I needed to find a hobby that allowed me to spend a lot of time outdoors, so I started roller skating. I roller skated and roller bladed a little bit during my childhood, but I have not taken it seriously until this point in my life. I began to see so many posts of others teaching themselves how to skate and decided to give it a go again. Little did I know that I would find a community where I feel such a great sense of belonging.

Even during a time when we were not spending time together in person, the roller-skating community was alive as ever; uplifting each other on social media, teaching each other new tips and tricks, and providing an outlet of support. Although there were many ups and downs and times when I would want to give up (and looking back, some of the videos I had posted of me skating, were not the greatest), those I knew in the skating community would continuously hype me up and that inspired me to keep going.

Hand in hand with learning how to skate, I also took the time to teach myself the importance of diversity in this community. We have to thank the many generations of LGBTQ+ and POC skaters who have developed skating into what it is today. It is so amazing that Cal State Rollers highly focuses on this, as well as skating as a whole!

It is especially important that during our college years we find our group of people; the group that welcomes us with open arms, provides us with great friendships, and allows us to have fun. Long Beach is a huge epicenter of skaters of many different backgrounds, so if you are looking for a new hobby, a new group of amazing friends, or a place to feel like yourself, definitely check out the Cal State Roller's club at CSULB. You will not regret it, and will no doubt have an amazing experience.

A Big Thank You to Cal State Rollers

I am so thankful for Cal State Rollers for allowing me to base my final project around their club. They always bring amazing energy and vibes, and I hope to have spread their message and sunshine to all of you reading. Like always, whether you are a beginner or call yourself a pro, the Cal State Rollers are ready to welcome all new members into their club! So, what are you waiting for? Go out, buy a pair of skates, be yourself, and find your community!

If you are interested in learning how to skate and/or joining the club, check out all of the information below: