The Rollerskating Revival and The Church of 8 Wheels

“Floating in the air”, if I had to choose the right words to describe that feeling: that’s exactly how I felt when I tried skating for the first time. It takes me back to the year 2020, during lockdown, when there was so much uncertainty about the future. Gyms, sports grounds, and dance academy were all closed, and social media became the only way to express ourselves. Suddenly, there was a spike in roller skating videos everywhere. Why did it happen so suddenly, and why did it go viral? In this article, we will explore the roller skating revival, why it matters, and Church of 8 wheels - hidden place for skate lovers.

Before entering this dreamy world of roller skating, it all felt like a fantasy. It was hard to ignore the viral videos of @Oumi Janta, where she dances effortlessly on four wheels. The confidence radiating through the screen while moonwalking was truly captivating. @Zeweeenie’s videos were all over the feed in 2020, showing her jamming while roller skating, wearing pretty outfits, falling, goofing around with friends, and having fun. Unlike other sports, these videos weren’t competitive, and they weren’t about being perfect, they were about having fun, even on your own. That’s exactly what most people in lockdown were looking for, something to ease the uncertainty. An activity that makes you feel like a kid again, where you’re not afraid to fall and are simply trying something new.

Imagine yourself on four little wheels, gliding like you’ve borrowed a bit of magic, spinning, twirling, your ruffled skirt dancing along with you. Sony headphones on, 2000s music playing and suddenly the world feels softer, lighter, like it’s cheering you on. The wind brushes past your face and in that moment, it’s just you, the skating and the whimsical freedom.

Roller skates, once tucked away in childhood memories, suddenly found their way back onto pavements, balconies, and empty streets. Searches for skating soared to their highest peak, skates sold out almost everywhere, and timelines filled with people gliding like they had rediscovered a forgotten kind of joy. It wasn’t just a trend, it felt like a small rebellion against stillness.

And then, instead of fading away like most internet fads do, it stayed. By 2021 and beyond, skating had quietly woven itself into everyday life. Tutorials multiplied, communities formed, and parks began to echo with wheels and music. What started as a moment of escape slowly turned into something more meaningful, a rhythm people didn’t want to lose.

Now, years later, the magic hasn’t disappeared. It has simply softened into something steady and familiar. The rush of 2020 may have passed, but skating continues to glide forward, no longer just viral, but vital. A little pocket of freedom in a world that learned how much it needed it.

Moxi Skates were sold out and quickly became one of the most popular brands during the roller skating peak. Based in Long Beach, California, the brand created skates for women of all sizes, offering strong support and shock absorption. This made it easier for beginners, especially plus-size women who wanted to try something new but felt hesitant. Moxi empowered women of all ages by tapping into a more aesthetic, “pretty” style of skates rather than the traditional, plain designs. Members of the Moxi skate team were often seen on the streets of Long Beach, performing tricks and even backflips, adding to the brand’s bold and playful image. Through social media, they evoked a sense of 1980s Los Angeles skating nostalgia, which helped push the brand into the mainstream.

And then there are places that don’t just feel like skating rinks, but like entire worlds of their own. Hidden in the heart of San Francisco is something almost surreal, the Church of 8 Wheels. Once a 100+ year-old Catholic church, it was transformed into a roller disco where instead of hymns, you hear music, laughter, and the rhythmic glide of wheels. Under stained glass windows and glowing lights, people don’t just skate, they dance, they express, they belong. It’s a space built not just for movement, but for freedom. A place where beginners wobble, strangers cheer you on, and confidence slowly finds its way into your steps.

Founded by the “Godfather of Skate,” David Miles Jr., this space became more than a rink, it became a community, a culture, almost like a quiet rebellion against seriousness. And maybe that’s what roller skating has always been about, not perfection, not competition, but moments like these. Where a church turns into a dance floor, and suddenly, you’re not just skating, you’re part of something alive.

For me, skating was never about getting it perfect. It was about the small wins, the first glide, the first fall, the first moment I didn’t feel afraid anymore. Somewhere between losing balance and finding it again, skating became more than just movement. It became a feeling I’ll always come back to.

Written by: Shreya Sharma

Edited by: Jules Nati