The 1980s were a golden era for roller skating! Rinks were packed and skating was more than just a hobby. Without smartphones or social media people turned to outdoor fun. Roller skating became the go-to activity for kids, teens and adults. This era saw the rise of roller disco! Skaters danced to disco beats under bright lights. Skating styles evolved and cities like New York, Chicago, and Atlanta became skating hubs. Over time, roller skating lost some of its popularity. However, in the recent years, roller skating is making a big comeback! More people are rediscovering the fun, fitness and freedom it offers. Let’s look back at what made roller skating in the 80s so special!
Talent without discipline is like an octopus on roller skates. There's plenty of movement, but you never know if it's going to be forward, backwards, or sideways.
H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
History of Roller skating
Roller skating dates back to the 18th century when John Joseph Merlin introduced the first skates at a party but crashed into a mirror. In 1819, Monsieur Petitbled patented an early in-line skate, but it was James Leonard Plimpton's quad-wheel design in 1863 that made skating easier and more popular. Over time, roller skating evolved into a sport, a social activity and a cultural trend. Let's take a close look at the history of roller skating!
🏒 1980
Scott and Brennan Olson develop the first Rollerblade® inline skates, inspired by ice hockey skates.
🏢 1983
Rollerblade Inc. is founded, making inline skating popular as a sport and fitness activity.
🚀 1990s
Inline skating booms in popularity, with aggressive skating, speed skating and inline hockey gaining traction.
🏆 1995
Rollerblading is featured in the X Games, boosting its extreme sports appeal.
⏳ 2000s
Popularity declines, but inline skating remains a key sport for fitness and recreation.
🔥 2020s
Rollerblading makes a comeback through social media, urban skating and freestyle tricks.
The Inception
As ridiculous as it sounds but roller skating was invented during a party. In 1735, a Belgian inventor named John Joseph Merlin decided to show off his newly designed wheeled shoes. So he entered the party with skates on and immediately hit a mirror face first. Well, a small price to pay, considering the popularity of roller skates.
Later in 1819, Monsieur Petitbled secured the patent for the roller skate design. The skates at that time were in-line and they had only three wheels. In addition, it wasn't easy to turn. But then James Leonard Plimpton came up with the idea of a four-wheeled roller skate that provides the wearers to move and turn around quickly. In the 1900' skating got the boom when restaurants served food via skate-clad bevies. This was the starting of a new era, one that got people choosing between roller skating vs. rollerblading.
The 80's
Things were different in the '80s. There were no phones for kids or even for teenagers. Perhaps, more importantly, there were no social media to post selfies on and no YouTube or Netflix for entertainment. Most of the options were outdoor activities and roller skating was a massive part of that. People loved to roller skate with their kids, friends and love ones.
New York had several roller rinks all over the city and none of them could be found empty on a Saturday night. Roller skating was a huge social activity in the 80s, with roller rinks serving as popular hangout spots. The rise of roller disco, catchy music and flashy neon lights made skating exciting and trendy. It was a fun way to stay active, socialize and express personal style!
One thing was sure... it was a Saturday night ritual! Do you need a refresh on roller skating rules?
Things That Involved Roller Skating in the '80s
Roller skating 1980s was not just a hobby or a physical activity. It was a lot more than that. All the 80s kids are grateful for roller skating for making their childhood awesome and full of fun. To take you back to the golden era of 1980, we have prepared a list of excellent activities in the '80s that involved roller skating.
Roller Disco
In the '80s, roller skating had proved to be a fantastic hobby and a lot more than just fun. Coincidently, disco music was also getting a sufficient amount of attention at that time. Hence, these two were put together with some genius thought and boy, was that a great idea – a craze strong enough to take the world by storm was established. It's like people were waiting for something to go crazy about and roller disco granted their wish. Thus, thousands flocked to groove and skate simultaneously. Here's a roller disco party to put you in the vibe!
Roller disco was a unique but exciting combination of disco and roller skating. In the 80s, people were going bananas about it. Before disco came along, roller skating and roller blading were considered a mere physical activity or sport. But after the advent of roller disco, it became a historical phenomenon. These roller freaks not only were skating for fun and recreation but also because it was their lifestyle. Moreover, people preferred going on skates rather than walking to a place because it was fun and easy. Disco nights would also hold annual competitions with diverse categories, including best dressed and best moves.
Roller Rinks
To facilitate this growing love for the sport, roller rinks began popping up across the states. People would show up to prepare for competitions and skate, but also to play arcade games and eat. These institutes birthed the now sacred art of roller disco. And to foster the spirit of the atmosphere, disco music became the next big thing, giving skaters a beat that was easy to dance to.
Roller rinks look like a mini-golf club with glow-in-the-dark features combined with a nightclub. It had a shiny hardwood floor in the shape of a zero. The experience wasn't complete without lots of neon lights and blinding disco balls and the vibe was just great. No skater could resist the pull of the rink on Saturday nights. When the roller rink was in full flow, the night felt like a skater's paradise.
Moreover, some rinks had a live Dj to play this newfound genre of roller beats. People were dancing, singing, not to mention skating their hearts out. It sure was a delightful sight. Historically, these rinks served other purposes. For example, in the 60s, they were used for civil rights protests. Furthermore, these rinks were considered a haven for black communities around the US.
Roller Skating Styles
Another thing that happened in the '80s is the new styles of roller skating. People got so into roller skating that they manage to create a lifestyle around it. It was a skating revolution. Each major city in the US has its own unique skating style. New York and Chicago were the first in line in the revolution. These two cities consist of so many skating enthusiasts that some call them the Meccas of roller skating.
The sport itself is a strenuous activity. It is challenging for a rookie who doesn't know how to roller skate properly to find the right balance. But people went a level further. Now skating is not limited to successfully moving around. Now there are numerous tricks and maneuvers that you can perform on them.
Search for roller skating for adults near me here on Superprof.
Furthermore, disco had a lot to do with creating these moves. These styles laid the foundations for what has become an x-games sport since, with ridiculous air-time maneuvers on the half-pipe and railing grinds. Skating became so infectious that popular television shows began featuring roller skating and roller disco, including Charlie's Angels.
The Angels weren't the only ones, though. Other popular shows like Chips also got in on the fad, portraying roller disco.
Consider enrolling in roller skating lessons near me to learn new skills, stay active and have fun. Whether you're a beginner or looking to improve, local classes offer expert instruction and a great way to enjoy roller skating.
Roller Skating and Music
In 1979, Cher released a song named Hell on Wheels; it depicted a gleeful Cher skating around a city, with the culture and traditions of the time on full show. Cher, a roller skate fanatic, was admired for her success despite being a woman in a male-dominated industry. And her adoption of skates made them even more relevant to pop culture. Here's her performance on YouTube!
This was the official entry of music to the roller skating world. Everyone who has been to roller skating rinks knows how vital the beat is to the movement. Whether it's a public session or a competitive art meet, the importance of music in roller skating stays unscathed.
Later roller skating was introduced along with more music forms on different occasions. However, its origins lay with Joseph Merlin, the inventor of skating. He played the violin while skating. After that, roller skaters can be seen in other dance forms as well, such as ballets. From the initial phase to the present, roller skating and music always go hand in hand.
80s Roller Skating Fashion
Roller skating in the '80s was as much about style as it was about skating. Bright neons, metallic fabrics, and glittering details like rhinestones and sequins lit up the rinks, reflecting the lights and creating a vibrant party atmosphere.
Nighttime skaters embraced glam looks featuring shiny leggings, cropped jackets, bold makeup, and even rhinestone-studded shirts for men. Disco and new wave influences blended into flashy, expressive outfits.
By day, the vibe was more casual but still trendy. Pop culture hits like Flashdance and Fame inspired legwarmers, oversized sweatshirts, stirrup pants, and pegged jeans. Accessories were key: scrunchies, sweatbands, fingerless gloves, and decorated skates were everywhere.
Whether dressing up or down, '80s roller fashion was bold, fun, and totally unforgettable.
Join the Skating Fraternity with An Expert's Help
Fortunately, roller skating is back on track. People can still be seen roller skating on the streets or indoor roller skating. Moreover, rinks are seeing customers again! Finally, after so many years, rinks are full of new roller skate fanatics living up to the legacy. If you feel like you should also be counted among those who didn't let roller skating die after all these years, all you need to do is take out those classic roller skates from the closet!
However, if you feel a little rusty with roller skating rules, don't worry, Superprof is here to help you out. Are you ready to discover the world of roller skating in the United States? Our lessons are tailored for both indoor and outdoor enthusiasts, offering you the skills to confidently roll through the town or simply enjoy the rink experience. Enroll now and let the good times roll!
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And not a single mention if Speed Skating or Roller Hockey .
Love this, so many skaters in Philadelphia still enjoy skating.
I’m A Skater I Been Skating Since the 70’s and the 80′ and I Today @Pattison’s West Skate Center in Federal Way,Wa
Awesome article. I have been roller skating over 30 years and I also work at a roller skating rink in Summit, Illinois
Hey all do not forget the tight SPANDEX back in the day
I jam skate a for of dance to music on roller skate. Great for the mind as well as the body.
Even with arthritis it receives the stress on the joints. You are never too old either.
Need more rinks in the northwest of the UK
Every Friday or Saturday and Sunday. Skating in the 80 swas and always part of my days..wish I can still do all my moves at 55. I can still do some. GREAT TIMES
I roller skated back in the day I wasn’t into roller disco I was into Rock either way the music was ours! Throughout the years I’ve been skating off and on for fun and health! It was a special time in my life being a latchkey kid it was my home away from home. Lastly we need more rinks in Los Angeles it’s desolate here!
I will never forget that time it was. Amazing.. no doubt…
Lived in Manhattan late ‘70s well into the beginning of the ‘80s. Always went to *the* roller skating rink in NY then. (And I was good. ) What was the name again? Just off Broadway. Midtown. Awesome. Got to know the owner of course, but have lost contact.