A local mum trying to keep up with her daughter's scooter has wound up starting a roller-skating revival.

Tracey Zarowski is the founder of Suns Out Skates Out, a roller-skating school in Russell Vale where people of all skill levels can learn the sport's fundamentals and discover the joy of rolling together on social excursions.

“It's an all-inclusive roller-skating school,” Tracey said.

“It’s classes for all ages, so kids up to adults as well.”

Tracey has a long history in roller-skating, having competed for NSW in the late 90s to early 2000s in artistic skating for NSW before putting the skates away.

“Then I picked up skating again a little while ago and it was more so just to keep up with my daughter on her scooter,” Tracey said.

Noticing that the Illawarra didn’t have a place for the skating community to meet up, she decided to start the school in December 2023. 

For beginners, these classes offer a safe introduction to roller-skating at Russell Vale Community Hall. Additionally, sessions are held every two weeks on weekends at Bulli Police Citizens Youth Club (PCYC) and private coaching is available at Affinity Dance Studios.

“We go over the very basics – from how to fall safely to how to get up safely,” Tracey said.

“We check your skate and explain how your skates actually work, how you can change and alter your skate to help you.

“We go over basic skills, like stopping, skating forwards, doing basic bubbles, backward skating and balancing.”

For those at an intermediate or advanced level, the classes aim to strengthen existing skills and provide fresh challenges.

“Any other skaters that are kind of more intermediate, I advance them by giving them some more skills that are going to challenge them,” Tracey said.

Benefits include fitness and fun as participants not only experience the joy of skating but also gain confidence while improving skills at their own pace.

“By the end of it, they're just sweating and saying that's just been a really good workout on top of the fun that they've had,” Tracey said.

One significant positive is the sense of community. Suns Out Skates Out offers chances to make connections, often organising social skates with community-building as a primary focus.

“Since I've started the school, everyone that has joined is just really excited that there's somewhere in the Illawarra where they can meet other skaters,” Tracey said.

“There's been kids joining up and making new friends, which has been really cool to see.”

On Sunday, March 24, they will be hosting one of these social skate events, beginning at Woonona Surf Life Saving Club and skating south to Bellambi and back.

“Just kind of a gathering for local skaters together,” Tracey said.

“Then for anyone that wants to socialise, they're going to meet for a coffee after as well.

“Open to all ages, as long as they can roll and stop is the main thing … everyone's welcome.”

For more information on class times and social skate events, check out the Suns Out Skates Out Instagram page.