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SINGAPORE – What I lack in the center of gravity every time the MRT wobbles, I make up for, surprisingly, with skid balance.
I credit my childhood: much of it was spent on inline skates up and down the street outside my house. So when I walk onto the retro-themed Hi Roller Singapore skating rink, it’s with excitement and not fear.
I arranged three girlfriends for an unusual girls’ day. These days, without the usual avenues of partying or travel getaways to de-stress from work, we have become yes-men to activities that we normally would not have considered.
Others too, it seems.
Daphne Chua, co-owner of Hi Roller, says the track has seen a surge in interest in recent months.
Opened in March last year, it used to be frequented mainly by professional skaters as an indoor playground to practice tricks and techniques.
“Somehow, after Covid-19, the retro vibe came back, attracting a lot of teenagers who wanted to feel the ’90s lifestyle,” says Chua, 26. Now, most of his skaters are teens in their 20s or younger. .
Another unexpected factor: TikTok. The teens began posting videos of themselves dancing and skating on the rink on TikTok and “it went viral,” he adds.
The entrance to the public takes place in spaces of two hours, with the track and equipment disinfected after each session. On weekends, the peak season of the rink, the first space is at 4.30 pm, after private lessons, when the lights go out and the music comes on. A few well-placed disco balls set the mood.
Ms. Chua says that many have called it the closest thing to clubbing during Covid-19, and five minutes later, I can see why. There are flashing lights, slightly disorienting fog, and, of course, noisy dance floors.
But don’t worry, no sleazeball will offer to buy you a drink here.
We agree that the playlist is great, a mix of mainstream pop and 80’s and 90’s music, nostalgic enough for 20’s. Before Covid-19, there was even a DJ in the inner box of the track. to cheer the public.
Choose your skate gear wisely. Inline skates (with wheels in a row) are much easier to maneuver, although roller skates better round out the retro aesthetic.
I almost lost my balance on skates on my first few attempts, but I am determined to get the true roller skating experience and soon get the hang of it.
The trick is to lean forward and keep going so you don’t lose momentum. If you have experience in inline skating, keep trying and you will quickly understand.
Buzzing is exhilarating, but the real fun comes by singing the best hits with your friends, while you’re on skates. We love to dance in the moonlight; YMCA; Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom !!; and Super Bass. Around us, friends and couples do the same with joyous abandon – it almost feels like you’re in a disco.
Is this how my parents used to have fun and mix? I imagine a classic “cute encounter” scene, where the girl loses her balance and bumps into the boy, giggling as he offers her his arm to take her for another lap around the track.
My partner suggests the track should sell shots, but that seems like a recipe for disaster. Drinks would also rule out teenage clientele.
The place quickly fills up with young people dressed more for selfies than skating. With a current limit of 50 people on the track at a time, it is recommended to book at least three days in advance.
Other things also remind me of the club: how you have to deftly dodge people outside your environment and how you end up drenched in sweat.
Shattered after an hour, we ended the day at 5.30pm. I can’t help but think about how we used to end the night at 5.30am in the club; it’s funny how things change.
Professional type: Wear jeans or pants. The chances of getting your face planted are low, but being covered gives you a sense of security when people are moving at high speed around you.
Hello Roller Singapore
Where: Market Square @ Downtown East, Level 5 E! Hub, 1 Pasir Ris Close
Open: Daily hours vary
Share: $ 17 per adult, $ 15 per student for two hours, including skate and pad rental
Info: Hi Roller Singapore website
For more stories on exploring Singapore, go to the SG Go Where page.
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