The Gen X Skater

Roller skate instructor at Skate Base London and blogger of The Gen X Skater. Kelly interviews skaters and skate influencers within the London urban skate scene. Meet Shawnee Shawn: I first caught a glimpse of Shawnee Shawn doing her thing during the first JB Legends of the Wood event in Chicago at Lynwood Roller Rink. I watched her glide effortlessly past the JB skaters  on the large rink, seamle...

Roller skate instructor at Skate Base London and blogger of The Gen X Skater. Kelly interviews skaters and skate influencers within the London urban skate scene. Meet Emma: I had been in Chicago for eight days by now and was enjoying a Tuesday morning Over 25s session at  The Rink  — where the average age of the skaters seemed to be around 60+. It's a place where you can come along on your own, ye...

Roller skate instructor at Skate Base London and blogger of The Gen X Skater. Kelly interviews skaters and skate influencers within the London urban skate scene. Meet George: After landing in Chicago at 2pm on Monday, I wasted no time getting to the rink for my first skate of the trip later that evening. The following morning, I headed to the 10am–2pm over-21s open skate session — and that’s where...

Roller skate instructor at Skate Base London and blogger of The Gen X Skater. Kelly interviews skaters and skate influencers within the London urban skate scene. Meet Steve: I first met Steve last year, as he was enjoying a jam during a social skate meet. I can honestly tell you that he's one of the warmest and most open hearted skaters you could ever hope to meet. He's someone that really loves t...

Roller skate instructor at Skate Base London and blogger of The Gen X Skater. Kelly interviews skaters and skate influencers within the London urban skate scene. Meet Roland: I’ve known Roland since 2022, when he first took photos of my son and me on roller skates. The skate scene was much quieter back then, and Roland was just beginning his skate photography project. Since then, he’s photographed...

Roller skate instructor at Skate Base London and blogger of The Gen X Skater. Kelly interviews skaters and skate influencers within the London urban skate scene. Meet Big Jim: Big Jim has been my favourite French rhythm skater and is in my top 3 skaters since I first discovered him on Insta around 3 years ago. What do I love about Big Jim? It’s the freshness he brings to the traditional rhythm ska...

Roller skate instructor at Skate Base London and blogger of The Gen X Skater. Kelly interviews skaters and skate influencers within the London urban skate scene. Meet Kat François: My fellow Gen Xer, Kat François started skating about a year ago. We first met when she joined one of my roller skating courses, and I can honestly say that we've maintained a strong connection ever since. As someone wh...

Roller skate instructor at Skate Base London and blogger of The Gen X Skater. Kelly interviews skaters and skate influencers within the London urban skate scene.   Meet Skater Dredd: Skater Dredd is a well known South London skater who has been a prominent figure in the urban skate scene for several years now. I learned about Skater Dredd a couple of years ago from skaters who were singing his pra...

Roller skate instructor at Skate Base London and blogger of The Gen X Skater. Kelly interviews skaters and skate influencers within the London urban skate scene. Meet Laverne: I was first introduced to Laverne at Gatwick Airport whilst on my way back from Skate Love Barcelona a few years back. Since then, our paths crossed a few times when meeting with our artistic skating teacher, and then — we b...

Roller skate instructor at Skate Base London and blogger of The Gen X Skater. Kelly interviews skaters and skate influencers within the London urban skate scene.   Meet Wayne: Wayne is one of London's longest standing 'OG' skaters. A true skate icon, loved and revered by many within the skate community. His skating talent, particularly as a speed skater [over nearly five decades] is second to none...