Australia has been on our radar for a while, and the real question is what do they put in their water? I got the chance to visit this amazing country last year and link up with a lot of online friends! I was also astonished by their creativity, skill and interesting mindset around sports and lifestyle. It is fascinating that a country so far away from the other main Roller-Skating communities has produced some amazing brands that have become the backbone of the new growth of the sport in the past years with Chuffed and Brunny.

The main cities have become the house of super skilled skaters, and specifically Melbourne hosts one of my favorites, Rib! Her explosive skating portrays her excitement about skating and she's a powerhouse that has been ripping at every imaginable spot. Today we feature her so stay and get to know some more about her skating experience in Australia.

Q: How did you get into roller skating and how long have you been doing it?

A: I started in June 2020 when my best friend, Tiff, was getting into it just after the Brisbane covid lockdown. We lived on other sides of the city so we would just send each other rollerskate videos via Instagram and the minute we got out we hit a carpark and then straight a half pipe the next day and I haven’t stopped. Tiff sadly injured her ankle about 6 months in but I’m eternally grateful she introduced me to it.

Q: I recall you moved to Melbourne, is this a decision made around skating?

A: I'd be lying if I said skating had nothing to do with it. I got the job opportunity of a lifetime at the exact time my life was falling apart in Brisbane. I'd had my car stolen and went through a devastating break up and I'd always loved Melbourne so it was perfect timing to try something new. Naarm/Melbourne is known for it's skateboarding community and surplus of street spots and skateparks so it's made settling in very easy.

Q: I love that your skating is feracious, fast and committed to the tricks (and the bails), how would you describe your skate style and how you got there?

A: I love how you've described it! It’s always made sense to me to put speed into tricks as there’s nothing worse than getting caught up on a grind. If I’m going fast and something goes wrong then it’s user error to do with the way I've locked or my weight distribution, which are things I can control and practice! I also believe it's easier to bail with speed as you can roll with the momentum, it just sucks when it's more unexpected and all the momentum and force goes flat into the bail. I have always been on the faster end of the scale, and I believe it's just what I find fun. Nothing will beat the feeling of flying around a bowl.

Q: What is in your mind when you're trying a new trick?

A: I normally have a very analytical way of thinking but I love skating because it gives my brain a rest and I trust my body and it's muscle memory. If I'm trying something new, I'll usually just send it to feel out what goes wrong (maybe the lock was off as my legs aren't used to going that way or my weight distribution is skewed) and then drill it over and over. If you're trying to push yourself to learn tricks that don't come naturally (example: citric acid), I've found drilling it for small periods every sesh will provide the best results. I used to spend a whole sesh on one trick sometimes and get massively frustrated but it's important to push yourself but also be patient with it. Something will click eventually!

Q: We love that you wear your helmet and big pads most of the time, how do you feel about protective gear?

A: I love, love, love protective gear and I definitely wouldn't be the skater I am today without them. I've honestly been a bit slack on the helmet at my local as I've been wanting to wear my hair up. It's always important to remember that it's a personal decision and we're all big adults and can understand the risks we're taking doing this sport with or without protective gear. For me, I will continue to wear my kneepads at all times and helmet (especially for big ramps) so I can continue to skate for many, many years.

Q: You're an all-terrain skater, but we can catch you often at bowls and big ramps. What would you say is your favorite spot to skate?

A: I always gravitate towards social hub skateparks like Fitzy (Fitzroy Skatepark) in Naarm/Melbourne and Paddo (Paddington Skatepark) in Meanjin/Brisbane as I love rocking up after work and knowing that someone I know is going to be there. If we're talking pure skatepark, I froth the new Waurn Ponds skatepark that features a near perfect vert ramp (I would love for it to be twice as wide for the longest grind opportunity), interesting bowl and fun street section. I enjoy Sunshine Coast skateparks like Alex Heads and Dicky Beach for their bowls with pool coping. I'm very keen for Prahran in Naarm/Melbourne to open as it has a vert ramp and insane street section with lights that'll get us through the winter!

Q: What's next for you? Are you releasing a new part anytime soon? Big surprises we should keep an eye on?

A: I'll be in Europe competing in the Milan Quad Fest and LDN Bowl Jam later in the year! This'll be my first-time leaving Australia and I'm so, so excited to meet so many legends and skate everyday. At the moment, I'm a bit of a cog in the machine and have been doing 10 hours days, sometimes 6 days a week so have only been getting a little bit of time to skate. I finish my mobile crane traineeship mid-next year, so I'll be hoping to work on somethings once I free up ;)

Q: Any advice for new skaters?

A: Stick with it if you're enjoying it! Try and separate your experience from what you see on Instagram/social media and just enjoy the movements and time you must connect with your body. Even now, I'm in a constant battle of not thinking I'm where I need to be but just taking a step back and enjoying skating for what it is and how I feel doing it has helped a lot. It's all about consistency and patience!

RIB

@ribletrollfriday on Instagram and TikTok