Every Night Is Eighties Night at South Florida Skating Rinks

Jack loves Eighties music. It reminds him of those lighthearted days when he was a teenager, practically living at Tropical North Roller Rink in Hialeah. "I had blue vinyl skates with yellow stripes. They were like the Kmart special. For somebody with crappy skates, I did pretty good. I used to skate so hard — no water breaks! — I'd cramp up and practically have to crawl off the floor. The weekend would come, and I'd be there the whole time."

After high school, Jack became a professional jai alai player. His only night off from the game was Sunday, when none of the local roller rinks had adult sessions he liked. So he'd drive to a rink in Tampa. "People would think I was nuts. 'You're going where? To do what?' But if you have something that, for you, is a passion, it's worth it. Some people would go to clubs; I'd go skate. The way some people express themselves dancing, I express myself through skating."

C. Stiles

Miguel Carver zips by skaters in a rolling split.

C. Stiles

Joey Parilla dances on skates.

Details

Hot Wheels | Galaxy | Skate Groove | Jive Biscuit | Roller Skating Association International | Riedell

Click play to listen to some of the songs mentioned in the article:

“Spring Love” by Stevie B:

“Jealous Fellas” by Dimples Tee:

“Egyptian Lover” by Egypt, Egypt:

“Shake It” by MC Shy D:

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Life sometimes interferes with skating. Jack says he's struggling to get his "legs back" after a recent absence. If he can hit the rink at least once a week, though, he thinks he can sustain the groove.