Dubai Diaries: Make way for Skater Girl

As soon as I finished lacing up my boots, I faced the music and stood up. And the first thing I said was: “Where’s the rail?” Good thing I brought my security blanket, aka my husband, who also knew nothing about skating but agreed to roll with me so I wouldn’t feel like I was the only struggling noob on the floor.

But it turned out we weren’t the only ones spending the entire 90-minute session just figuring out how not to topple over. Though some go twisting and turning as if the skates were an extension of their feet, many were there just for fun. Have you ever seen a crowd of people, young and old, enjoying a common struggle? Perhaps only at Roll DXB.

A YouTube tutorial we watched before we left for the rink listed out what we had to do. “Keep your shoulder straight and your chin up. Stretch out your arms with your palms down and drop your weight.” I practised multiple times but when it came to the real deal…nope, it wasn’t that easy.

I broke out in a sweat as I kept trying and trying, just like everyone else around me. My knees trembled as I tried hard to take control of the wheels that were sliding here and there. And then, finally, I remembered my first ice skating lesson: Don’t be afraid to fall. It’s totally okay, especially since the people around won’t hesitate to offer their arm and help you get back up on your wheels.