Last year, a webmaster asked what the next big thing is. Reading the tea leaves, I said, community on the cheap.
Covid did some serious damage to American social structures. We already had generations isolating behind their cell phones and gaming computers, but sheltering in place made that isolation a matter of public health.
As vaccination became the norm and doors opened, there’s been additional barriers to socializing in person. The inflation of real estate also increased the price of just going out. Just seeing a movie and meeting friends for dinner became a big deal. We’re also seeing our first generations that got cynical watching their parents & family get drunk and instead prefer to get stoned, or just stay sober, making bars, breweries and night club experiences less attractive.
And I’m hearing the question on Reddit, where can I go that doesn’t involve getting wasted, but still have fun while meeting peeps? I too found myself asking that question.
And something really curious popped up, Skate Oddity, a goth themed roller skating night at an open air skate park that recently popped up in Burbank. At $23, it wasn’t the cheapest option, but it was definitely something different.
Skate Oddity draws great crowds, especially for an activity that’s best enjoyed sober. Yet, like an intoxicant, it leaves you wanting more.
So I began researching some LA rollerskate culture for clients. I went from rental skates to pulling my skates out of the garage and learning how easy it was to swap the bearings. I went from just skating in circles to learning to skate backwards, and pick up moves I saw others doing. Over the summer of 2025, I’d pop into the park for cheaper skate nights. As winter came, I drove out to Glendale for indoor skating at my nearest roller rink. Thanks to Reddit, I’ve learned how to change stuff like bearings, trucks, and recognize the good stuff for getting your skate on.
So it’s safe to say I’m happily addicted. But what about the original point, community on the cheap. Is this a real thing, and does roller skating apply?
Mileage varies when you come down to price. A night at Moonlight Rollerway in Glendale is going to cost you about two hours worth of California minimum wage, or the equivalent of about five gallons of gas. Not include the price to drive out, there’s the entry fee, skate rentals, and don’t forget the snack bar. Same goes for events like Skate Oddity, which also include a vendor area and food.
Roller skates aren’t cheap either. That pair I pulled from the garage cost over $300, in 2003, half. what they’d cost now. There are budget options, at around $150, but they might not last long. And cheap skates? Well, there’s a reason that’s an insult. Let’s just say there’s a brand that’s synonymous for grief and failure, named after a city in Illinois.
But once you’re past the price of skates, there’s an advantage. On Fourth of July, I was skating at the park under the stars, watching fireworks, for only $9. In December, I got my first set of outdoor wheels as a Christmas present, and they light up! This means I can practice in my own driveway.
And last night, I went to my first community event at a Community College in North Hollywood. There was no charge. Organizers brought out some party lights and a boom box. There’s also local street skating groups that coordinate with bicycle clubs for night rides.
Overall, there’s been a great opportunity to meet people and make local friends for little expense. Bonus, while there’s a risk of a banged knee or bruised wrist, there’s no intoxicants or risk of roofies. Which makes skate nights much safer than crashing a rave, yet just as physically intense.
What are these communities like? Most are over 30, with a significant portion over 40. Most nights at Moonlight and the Burbank skate park are all ages. I seriously doubt the street skate groups or night skating community groups would turn down teens or kids, but given these are night events, typically going until about 10pm, we’re not seeing much of them.
About half or more of the crowds I’m seeing are women, with family park nights, I’ll see moms out there skating with their kids. There’s also a serious gender-queer & LGBTQ contingent (myself included). Skate Oddity is very TG & enby friendly, Moonlight even has drag nights.
In terms of selling to these adults, I’m doubting an adult company like a cam site is going to have much opportunity. There may be opportunity for recruitment of adults though, especially on the LGBTQ side. However, no one likes to be exploited, and something very serious I’ve noticed are politics are held close to the chest. There may be a few “Fuck ICE” t-shirts, but given much of the crowds tend to be over 40, it doesn’t mean the majority is political in either direction.
Part of what this is about is getting away from politics, and worries about things like bills and work.
The grown ups however, may be more receptive to see skating themes in the smut, and it’s happened many times before. Having skating as an option at an adults only event has a lot of potential.
What I do see an opportunity for might be pleasure products, and adult events. But this has to be done carefully. Guests of an event like Skate Oddity or even LGBTQ night at Moonlight might be open to something like DomCon, but it would have to be done tastefully, and with an inclusive vibe. Marketing a pleasure products store would likewise require something tasteful, discrete, with more innuendo than product images.
On the other hand, if a major adult retailer like Adam and Eve, or Castle Megastores offered a portion of their store parking lot to an adult community skate night, that could go far.
Worth noting, these activities are best done clean and sober, but there’s nothing held back about intoxicants after skating. These adults do appear open to CBD, 420 related products, and of course a refreshing beer or margarita. However, the venues may have very serious issues about sponsors related to intoxicants.
And lets not forget a critical component of the experience, the music! These community activities have been as much about music as the skating. The themes may vary from Goth, to hip hip, to even country, but the sound is essential to the skating. So those promoting music events or bands should keep skate groups and events in mind.
What about mainstream? Remember, skaters are doing this to get away from adulting. If you’re including skate themes in advertising and promotions, that’s one thing. But there’s an awareness in these groups, and while some may lean conservative, that doesn’t mean they’ll accept corporate pandering. They’re more likely to lean positive towards a local burger joint than a fast food empire.
For the standards of High Octane Heart Media and PR, does skating amplify experience? Hell yes it does. While skating starts as something for kids, there are significant thrills and risks. The adrenaline is very real and personally, it’s the first time in years I’ve felt such a freedom and so alive. Like with BDSM and fetish, there’s risk, there’s excitement, and a metric ton of expression. In the future, I’d also be open to a skating related client, and I’m very curious about roller derby.
Is this the next big thing? Maybe. Visiting a skate park or rink might be on par with a night at the movies, something quick and fun that still costs more than staying home and playing video games. But after the initial expense of a solid pair of skates, which can be less expensive than a new bicycle, there’s opportunities to get out there, make new friends, express yourself, and have fun.
Is this a major promotional opportunity? Community rollers skating is still in the counter culture fringes, so there are opportunities there. But like with any counter culture, tread carefully and respect the peeps.
