Back on wheels: How I found my way back to the concrete
By Jackelyn Bosch
They say you never forget your first love. For me, that love had four wheels and a wooden deck.
I started skateboarding when I was nine, following my brother through our small village. We didn’t have a local skatepark; instead, we’d cycle 45 minutes to a neighboring town just to reach a tiny patch of concrete with three rusty metal obstacles. It wasn’t much, but to us, it was everything, and we spent several hours a week there.
Growing up, I was always 'one of the boys,' and it never bothered me. I felt pretty cool being a 'skater girl' and I loved the adrenaline kick this sport gave me.
The Weight of "Girlhood"
As I transitioned into high school, the 'cool' factor of being a skater girl vanished. I was bullied and told that skateboarding was 'for boys.' They said I dressed too boyish and that since I was a girl, I should act like one. I remember getting very confused by this—why couldn't I, as a girl, dress and do the things I liked? I started wondering if I was weird and if I should act more 'feminine.' At fifteen, the pressure to fit in eventually outweighed my passion, and I stopped.
I tried to pick it up again at nineteen while studying in a new city, but doing it alone felt scary. Without a community to back me up, my progression stalled, and at twenty-two, I stopped skating for what I thought was forever.
Finding My Flow
For years i did not really have a hobby; I was bored a lot of the time and every other sport I tried just wasn't for me. Until two years ago I discovered rollerskating through a friend. I looked up videos online and I was instantly captivated. It looked tough and edgy, yet somehow graceful and feminine. I watched a lot of videos, followed rollerskaters on instagram and after a year of hesitation- thinking, "am i not too old? What if i quit again?"- I've got my first pair of rollerskates, and I’ve been addicted ever since.
Then and Now
More than just wheels
Now, at 30, skating gives me a sense of positivity I can't find anywhere else. It’s my moving meditation. When I’m on my skates, the stress of work and the pressures of daily life simply melt away. When I skate, there is no room in my head for negativity. I find skating is just as mentally challenging as it is physical, but in a good way. I overcome fear by landing tricks I never thought possible, teaching me I can do more than I think. This translates to my life outside of skating as well. I am much more confident that I can do all sorts of things I did not think I could do before.
The Power of an Inclusive Community
What really changed the game for me this time was the community. In the rollerskate world, I found a level of inclusivity I hadn’t experienced before. It’s a space where age, background, or skill level do not matter. Everyone is cheering for each other.
Whether you’re just learning to balance or dropping into a bowl, there’s always someone there to give you a high-five or a tip. Finding this supportive "tribe" made me realize that I wasn't just missing the wheels, I was missing the feeling of belonging.
A Shared Love for the Concrete
Even though I’ve found my home on eight wheels, my heart still beats for skateboarding too. I’m incredibly proud to call myself a rollerskater, but you’ll still find me at the skatepark watching the skateboarders with total admiration.
What makes me the happiest is seeing how much has changed since I was ten. Back then, I was almost always the only girl. Now, the parks are filled with girls and women of all ages, on boards and on skates, taking up space and supporting one another. Seeing that growth is fantastic. It feels like the community I wish I’d had when I was fifteen is finally here, and I’m so glad i still get to be a part of it.
Never Too Late
To anyone who stopped doing what they love or hesitated to even start because of social pressure: it is never too late to reclaim your roll. Whether you’re on a board or on skates, the feeling of freedom and belonging is the reward for following your heart.
