In this episode we're joined by Dylan Esbach, aka ROOIBOKKIE, a legend in South Africa’s rollerblading scene. Fresh off our Stereotype watch party, we dive right into Dylan’s origin story. He takes us back to his teenage years in Port Elizabeth, where a pair of Jokari skates with gold laces sparked his love for rollerblading at age 13. Dylan tells us about his inpiration by local hero Wayne Iverson’s wild tricks at the skate park. Red's passion is apparent, and it was clear that rollerblading became his lifeline, giving him purpose and a sense of invincibility in a tough hometown during the early ‘90s.

Dylan’s stories from Port Elizabeth had us reminiscing about the raw energy of that era. He shared how he scored his first Roces Impala skates and spent days bunking school with Wayne, blasting Wu-Tang Clan in a green Beetle and shredding the notorious local bowl. Moving to Cape Town in the late ‘90s was a game-changer, connecting him with a vibrant crew and epic events like the Alex Groll Cup. He shared memories of the Smeddle brothers and Arlo Eisenberg’s influence, with Dylan recalling how the early 2000s felt like a family reunion for skaters, thanks to organizers Brent and Mel. His time in London around 2006-2007 brought more tales of crusty skate spots and wild sessions at Camden and Clapham Common, all while living the skater’s life with mattresses on the floor and endless stoke for the sport.

We reflect and discuss the current state of rollerblading in South Africa, which is more fragmented compared to the skateboarding scene. He’s been keeping the spark alive, posting clips daily and repping Cougar Skates, who sponsor him and his mate Darren Costa. We brainstormed ways to grow the sport - more meetups, premieres, and encouraging the younger generation. Dylan’s optimism shines through, especially when he talks about the lifelong friendships we’ve all built through rollerblading, from hyping each other up to sharing the highs and lows. His invite to hit the skate park was the perfect send-off, reminding us why we love this sport and the community that keeps it rolling.

You can download the slides here, or view the images below.

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