Malvern family roll with the good times

WHETHER it’s leisure, sport or a form of exercise, roller skating has made a comeback around the world and especially in Durban.

For Malvern family, Brendan Lyle, Candice Leth and her daughter, Sinead, they’ve discovered the unappreciated fun of roller skating as a family.

Not only has it given them a chance to bond and grow closer as a family, but they’ve also made new friends and generally have a ‘wheelie’ good time.

All three of them are part of HopSkipSkate, a community skate crew that help you roll with it without feeling out of place.

Often they are seen cruising along the Durban Promenade or gliding along at People’s Park at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

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“This all started after the lockdown. There was just so much negativity – first we have the Covid-19 pandemic, then we had the KZN unrest and finally the floods. I was desperate to find some joy for us as a family, and Brendan’s sister is a skateboarder. She bought her daughter a pair of roller skates, and that inspired me to do the same. I decided to buy us each a pair of skates,” explained Candice.

“My daughter had never roller skated, and Brendan had some experience, but none of us had much experience. Initially, we found the Kruze Klub, a Friday afternoon cruise session along the Durban promenade. A few weeks later, I discovered HopSkipSkate, which was a community of skaters, novices, some lapsed skaters and some more experienced, however, what connected us all was our love for roller skating.”

Candice said it has even inspired her to get others involved and spread the word.

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“Honestly, as an adult, you don’t picture yourself doing things like this, but being able to be outdoors is great. Roller skating has really brought us closer together as a family and has given me the opportunity to make new friends, spread the word about roller skating and learn new tricks and techniques. On a personal level, skating in general helps free my mind from the reality around me. It relaxes me and helps me focus on finding a balance, both literally and figuratively,” she said.

The trio, who are also artists, have also customised their skates with their own unique patterns and drawings and colourful laces.

If you would like to find out more about HopSkipSkate, follow them on Instagram at the handle, @hopskipskate.

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