Exploring the World of Roller Skating

Roller skating is a beloved pastime for people of all ages. But a few daring souls have attempted more challenging moves on skates. Warning: Please do not imitate challenging skate moves without expert guidance.

There are even over a dozen Guinness World Records related to roller skates. Tony Zane of the United States is the record holder for completing the most consecutive backflips on roller skates – five! Kapil Gehlot of India pulled the heaviest vehicle, a 9,300-kilogram truck, while wearing skates. The longest roller-skating conga line was formed by 197 people in Miami, Florida, at an event for World Health Day in 2012. In 2022, seven-year-old Deshna Nahar of India became the fastest limbo skater on Earth by effortlessly gliding under 20 cars in just 13.74 seconds!

It was not until 1760 that roller skates became officially recognized, thanks to John Joseph Merlin, a Belgian inventor who also made clocks, watches, musical instruments, and other items that demanded precision.

The early years of the 20th century marked the continued rise of this now-popular pastime, as roller rinks became centers of community life. Skating became a competitive sport when the Chicago Coliseum in the United States hosted the first Transcontinental Roller Derby competition in 1935.

In 1983, the 40th President of the United States, His Excellency Ronald Reagan even declared October as National Roller Skating Month, not only because of the health benefits it provides, but also to encourage families to participate in skating and have fun together. In fact, the American Heart Association advocates roller skating as one of the sports that helps boost blood flow throughout the body and minimizes the risk of heart failure.

Priyanka Dewan of India is another young rising star worth a special mention. Born with an intellectual disability, she suffered ridicule and discrimination at school. But with time and the loving support of her mother, she found confidence through sports, particularly roller skating, to overcome these challenges. Today, Priyanka represents India internationally at skating competitions and recently became a Special Olympics champion at the World Summer Games in 2019.