A few weekends ago, I attended a surprise joint skate party for two of my close skate friends Simon and Charlotte on Crystal Palace Bridge — a well known skate spot in South London. It was organised by Virginnie and Dionne, who spent a couple of weeks meticulously planning the event for these two much loved skaters. They of course had to navigate the weather forecast (as rain threatened to spoil our celebrations) and the individual plans of each of the birthday skaters’ — it definitely took some careful consideration and stealthlike organisation!
The day got off to a promising start, with bright, dry conditions. A few of us gathered in the early afternoon to set things up and be ready to spring out on the unsuspecting pair as they were brought to the bridge for what they thought would be a quiet skate before a meal.
Let The Skating Begin
It was a lovely moment — they were genuinely surprised and completely delighted to stay and play on the bridge [it's what they do best]. And so we all enjoyed a wonderful social on the bridge that carried on late into the night, with skaters rolling in from all corners of London.
It really goes to show that although most of us met through skating, the connections run deep. People made time in their busy schedules to show up and went out of their way to make it special — there was home cooked food, a wide selection of drinks, and a genuine sense of togetherness. I brought along a rum punch that I had made earlier, which admittedly, I may have drunk most of myself! It was lovely to connect with so many longstanding skate friends as well as meet and make a new connections with other members of our skating community.
The whole evening was such a vibe. We drank, ate, chatted, laughed, played and of course skated on the bridge till late into the night [some into the early hours of the following day]. There were groups of skaters practising snazzy routines together, while the established ballroom skaters shared their skills with those less experienced, some of us shared turns to have a go at spinning the poi while jamming on our skates. Spirits were high, and it felt like we were not only celebrating Simon and Charlotte’s birthdays but also embracing the last of the great British weather — one final bright, sunny day to bring September to a close.
Passionate, Playful Community
In the end, it was about community — where a shared passion for skating and music brings people together in a way that feels genuine and lasting. Birthday celebrations are yet another opportunity for us to come and enjoy each others company in the most playful of ways [not to mention also enjoy the great outdoors]. Nights like this remind me that the skate scene isn’t just a hobby or a way to exercise; it’s a way to connect with like minded, passionate people. The friendships we build on the bridge, in our public parks, during the skate parties, and out on the streets are deep, meaningful, and nourishing. They're friendships that will be long remembered.
This is what it means to be immersed in the urban skate scene, and I'm so thrilled to be a part of it. Skating really does make connecting with new people and being playful so easy. As adult skaters, the power of this is immeasurable.
Kelly
Cranial Osteopath | Wellbeing Coach | Roller Skate Instructor
🗯️ Have you been to a skate party yet? What has your experience been? Share your thoughts and comments below.
