Get Your Skate On in Perth!
So, you love roller skating or inline skating and want to meet some people with the same interests? Then it's time to get your skate on!
The best way to contact most of the skating groups mentioned in this post is via their social media page.
Please keep in mind that most of the groups are not-for-profit or volunteer-run so if you don’t get an answer within the day just be patient as someone will get back to you.
Although we can't list every single group in Perth and regional WA, here are a few of the ones we know.
Outdoor Skating
Perth has some of the best cycle paths around and there are different levels for everyone.
Once you master some form of stopping, it's worth heading around the Swan River for a beautiful skate or to a lake such as Champion Lakes or Lake Monger. Paths here are relatively flat without too many obstacles however you should be aware that all outdoor surfaces can sometimes be a bit tricky to navigate with stray tree nuts, sticks, dogs or children around.
If you're after something more challenging (or more hills) then you could head to the coast for a skate from Cottesloe to South Fremantle or from Sorrento to Scarborough.
Perth Outdoor Rollerblading is a group that organises regular outdoor skating events. Although they are mainly inline skaters, quad skaters are welcome to join them.
Skates Outdoors is another group that are mainly quad skaters but are also inclusive of inline skaters.
Street Roller Hockey
Non-contact, super social and designed for many different skating levels, the Street Roller Hockey League (SRHL) has around 120 teams in Perth.
Since 2013 the league has encouraged people of all ages and skating abilities to get involved. You don't need to be a pro skater or a pro hockey player to start, the league is very friendly for beginners to the more experienced.
They have two seasons through the year. You can either make your own team of four or more players or join someone else’s team.
You can play on inlines or quads and most games take place on an outdoor surface at a local school, park, reserve etc.
One popular venue for the SRHL is the Bayswater Bowling & Recreation Club where you can usually catch a few games on the weekend.
Roller Derby
Roller derby is a full contact sport played on roller skates and there are leagues for adults and kids (aged 7 and up).
A lot of people that sign up for the sport don’t know how to skate initially and simply join a Fresh Meat program to learn all the things.
Within Perth there are 5 leagues currently:
There are also regional leagues including Bunbury Roller Derby, Margaret River Roller Derby, Albany Roller Derby league, Gold City Rollers, Sin City Rollers - Geraldton Roller Derby and North West Roller Derby.
Ramp Skating
Due to the amazing and inspirational Chicks in Bowls movement (Lady Trample 4EVA!) as well as the talents of the Moxi Skate Team (hello, can I be Estro Jen please!) there are many ramp skating groups for quad skaters and these groups are also accepting of bladers.
In Perth you can catch up with Chicks in Bowls Perth or Pirates in Bowls while down south there is a CIB South West.
Jam Skating
There is a local group - Perth Roller Dance And Jam Skating - dedicated to the world of jam skating and jam skating classes are available at Morley Rollerdrome so get in touch with the rink for more info.
The Track Albany
The Track Albany gets it's own little shout out because it is brand new and being designed specifically for skating.
When the venue is up and operating you will be able to do all kinds of skating activities like roller derby, roller hockey and junior skating classes.
Not only is it the first venue of it's kind in WA but it is also being established by the terrific Albany Roller Derby League - the little league that could.
At the moment you can also still donate to the project and nab yourself some sweet merch for doing so.
Skate Spots & More!
Of course there are loads of other local Perth and regional WA skate spots.
There's roller rinks such as Morley Rollerdrome and rinks in Malaga, O'Connor and Bunbury as well as professional skating groups such as roller hockey clubs, speed skating clubs and artistic skating clubs.
There are many groups out there and new ones popping up all the time, we've even had visits to the store from the Dunsborough Roller Hockey team and Roller Tag groups from Mount Barker and Albany.
So get out there and try something new or make your own skate squad. Skating by yourself is great, but skating with other skaters is double the fun!
If you're not in Perth or WA then I'm sure there are skating groups and clubs in your city too and if not, why not start something up.