Roller-skating camp teaches life lessons

For some, roller skating is just a fun leisure activity. But for junior Amir Gray, it is much more than that — it’s a way of life.

Because many of his family members are involved in roller skating, Gray was introduced to it at an early age. He got his own skates when he was two years old and has never looked back.

“Skating is always going to be a part of my life,” he said. “Also, it’s always a great thing to be able to meet people.”

Gray eventually realized that he wanted to share his skating knowledge with others. In fall 2009, he helped start a roller-skating camp at Western Skateland on West 17th Street. Steve Bryant, a frequent skater there, received permission from the rink to start a camp.

As two of the three instructors, Gray and Bryant welcome anyone who has a desire to learn.

While Bryant has been skating much longer than Gray — he’s been a roller skater since 1974 — both have something in common: their passion for roller skating.

“The very first time I skated,” Bryant said, “I fell in love with it and couldn’t get enough.”

Every Saturday from 10 to 11:30 a.m., skaters both young and old attend the camp to learn everything from the basics to advanced techniques. A certain technique, called JB skating, is Gray’s current interest.

An aggressive style derived from Chicago, JB skating is one of the biggest roller-skating trends around the country, Gray said. While it takes time to master, Gray is patient and makes sure the skaters work at a comfortable pace.

Twelve-year-old Xavier Callaway was trying to show Gray a new spin move he’d been practicing when he heard some other kids laughing at him. But Gray, knowing Xavier could do it, simply told him to try again.

A couple of minutes later, Xavier was showing off his new move. The other kids were shocked and didn’t know what to say.

“People don’t always talk about when you do something wrong,” Gray said. “But as soon as you do something right, they will try to emulate you.”

Aside from learning different skating techniques, the camp’s attendees have also learned important life lessons. After being in camp for only a couple of months, Callaway was introduced to one.

After finally mastering the spin move, Callaway said he learned that “whatever you do, just get up and keep trying until you make something perfect.”

Bryant said participating in Western Skateland’s camp has boosted skaters’ confidence levels, making them more eager to try new things, just as Xavier did.

Bryant said he sees this in his students quite often.

“They start out with ‘I can’t do that,’” Bryant said. “And by the end of the hour and a half, they are saying, ‘Look what I can do!’”

Gray said he sees simple benefits for the skaters.

“It teaches them a culture that they wouldn’t be able to learn otherwise,” he said. “Also, it’s fun. It gets kids out of their houses doing some exercise.”

Callaway said he notices these benefits every time he comes to the camp. He said he especially loves working with Gray on his ‘jam skating’ and can’t imagine when he’d stop skating altogether.

“It probably won’t be for a very long time,” Callaway said, “because I’m not going to get tired of it anytime soon.”

Gray also knows skating will always be a part of his life.

While he does eventually plan to leave the camp, he said he hopes that he makes a lasting impact.

Simply put, he wants to see his skaters continue to succeed.

“I hope I can leave something behind,” he said, “even when I’m not in Bloomington anymore.”