Rollerama
Had a great time at Lindsay’s party for her 7th birthday today: rollerskating at Caribbean Gardens Rollerama.
We hired some very stinky rollerblades (could have hired rollerskates - maybe next time) and hit the rink with 15 or so of Lindsay’s friends and Georgia. The place was a bit like Oakleigh ice arena: probably built in 1976, updated in 1983 and not touched since.
That’s OK though, it had character. Carpeted walls, cool orange arrow tiling in the bathrooms, a really old light-up sign to indicate “gents only”, “experienced skaters only”, “under 12s only” and so on, and the sort of staff and regulars that you’d hope to find in every roller rink in the country:
- an MC dressed up like Jake from the Blues Brothers (pork pie hat, white shirt, black tie … no sunnies though) who thought weird death metal music was good skating music even though it was kids party time on a Saturday arvo,
- a girl who could really rollerskate - totally retro-smooth forwards, backwards and sideways,
- a couple of nutters whizzing around all the 8 year old beginners freaking them out, and
- a speed skater in an Team Australia lycra outfit who was quite good but we couldn’t tell if he really was international level or had just bought the merchandise,
We had a great time blading around with the kids. Neither of us have bladed since we sold our blades in 2004 so we were chuffed that we could still zoom around. Thanks for inviting us Lindsay!
Kate - March 5, 2007, 11:12 pm
Happy Birthday to Lindsay!
As you know we took the kids rollerblading a few months ago down your way and they had a ball. I used to love skating and would love to skate around with the kids now, but I still got plenty of enjoyment from watching Matt and the kids. Glad you all had a good time!
x Kate
Corey - March 13, 2007, 9:08 pm
By the way, I am at international level.
Marty - March 14, 2007, 9:24 pm
Fair dinkum? Good on you. That clears that one up then. You must have been taking it easy with all those kids around. Do you get annoyed avoiding all the slowpokes or are you glad people are out there having a go? What’s your surname - we’ll look out for you.