The Isa Mother City Rollers are celebrating the city’s beauty on roller skates and hope to recruit more skaters to their artistic roller skating group.
Andrea Stallbom, coach and secretary of the Isa Mother City Rollers, says the team began in 2022 with only novices.
“We were all beginners on roller skates, including myself and we wanted to learn how to dance on roller skates and there was nothing in the city at the time. We then reached out to Roller Sport South Africa about this and they assisted us with coaching and how to get involved with competing in dance skating competitions,” said Ms Stallbom.
“One of our goals is to build the club and the sport on a provincial level because right now we could just compete on a national level,” she said.
The social aspect of the skating club is increasing as people from all over the city join them on Monday nights for a skating session on a vacant surface just opposite the Green Point stadium.
They also do a sunset skate/jam session at the Sea Point promenade on Sundays.
“We welcome anyone that wants to skate whether it’s on quads or in-line skates. We have grown and we are growing, you don’t have to join the club but you can just come and skate with us. Recently we were included in the Cape Town carnival and that was exciting and huge for us. We had a routine and we skated and danced all the way on the fan park walk,” she said.
Ms Stallbom said they are looking forward to the next carnival as well as competing at the national championships in December.
“We are ready to compete because we have been practising and we are looking to get involved in other events, so that’s where we are right now,” she said.
Ms Stallbom and chairperson Amy Ketteringham coach artistic dancing on Tuesday nights in the Gardens Commercial High School hall.
“I found the club online and got involved because I wanted to learn artistic skating and here I am. This is an inclusive sport and club and you can start at any age. Skating keeps you fit and we have become good friends. We are also looking to get more involved in competitions and we had a speed skater that competed earlier this year,” said Ms Ketteringham.
Aderito Zacarias, originally from Angola, won gold in the 200m and 400m of the speed-skating national competition earlier this year.
“I joined (the club) a year ago and I’m enjoying it. I am definitely looking forward to the next competition but coming here on a Monday night is so much fun and it keeps the skating community coming together and alive,” said Mr Zacarias.
Nadine Brits is a former roller-derby competitor and after she broke her ribs and cracked her coccyx she retired from the sport.
“I joined last year in August and I’m learning new skills. The posture is different, it’s poised and you have to engage your core, I also don’t get beaten up, so it’s fun. I’ve also decided to compete in the artistic dancing competition so I’m looking forward to that,” said Ms Britz.
The club can be contacted via their Instagram page for more information.
