I grew up skating in Atlanta and the first style I learned was the Atlanta style; however, I never got the whole story behind the style until now, and now I want to share it with the world. To learn more about the Atlanta style, I talked with Tony Sailor of the “Sick on Skates Crew”.
The Origins of The ATL Style
Tony taught me that in the past, different groups of skaters would form crews and the teams would strut their stuff as they skate around the rink. Roller skaters in the ATL influenced the cities dance culture as well.
The roots of the Atlanta skate culture go back to FDC “Fresh Dance Crew” of the late 70’s early 80’s during the Jellybean Era and Late Sharron Showcase Era. Jellybean was a roller-skating rink and home for artists and performers in the Atlanta area. As Roller Sk8 Berlin points out “Jellybean was once located in the Ben Hill community in the southwestern part of Atlanta. Jellybean is remembered as “The Master of All Roller Rinks” in Atlanta.” You can learn more about the origins of the Atlanta skate style in my rhythm skating history recap.
I grew up roller skating in Atlanta practicing elements of all of the moves in the Atlanta style, but I never knew the name. I was so cool getting a chance to sit down with Tony and identify different move names and origins.
Atlanta skaters skate like TI and them in the movie. That’s why many Atlanta skaters skate in modified speed skater set ups.
The Carrera’s have the ATL in a strangle hold. The first step to being an Atlanta skater is getting a pair of Carrera’s or Carrera type jam skates and learning to ryde TO THIS DAY! In fact, my first skate was a Riedell R3 with jam plugs.
As Atlanta skaters mature and begin skating different styles, they eventually adopt more traditional Rhythm Skating set ups. Many Atlanta skaters skate their whole lives in the modified speed set ups as well.
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ATL Routines
“The Stab”
“The Stab” a move created during the Jellybean Era, was originally called the “Al Toe” after the creator of the movement. The name was changed to “The Stab” to describe the motion and execution of the movement. Skaters pick their feet up to 90 and then stab it across their leg.
“The Prep”
“The Prep” is a routine made by a crew called “The Preps”. Known for their distinctive style and precise skate moves, these skaters dress in preppy clothing i.e. their name the “Preps”.
“Ryding”
“Ryding” is a routine that has been shortened but still widely practiced. The strides are a lunge like moves on quad skates. Different stride-like moves have different names depending on the style. For example, skaters’ stride in Ohio, Cali, and New York, but the definition and application changes between these moves. RYDING was “designed to hit hard” according to Tony Sailor the leader of the @sickonsickcrew.
As time passed, skaters developed routines and new names emerged. The current era’s routines have the same elements as the original routines, but changed slightly due to limited information on the original routines.
Learn RYDE ON SKATES
If you want to try the ATL style, I made a tutorial on How to Ryde. I am also working with the “Sick on Skates” crew to create more ATL style tutorials.
Stay Tuned!
Conclusion
The Atlanta skate scene goes way back to the late 70s and 80s when rollerskating was all the rage. The ATL stylgrew the style origeinated inside roller rinks and on dance floors. What makes the ATL style unique is its development alongside the Yeek dance movement. Skaters in Atlanta form crews, and they represent their crews with routines around the rink.
Nowadays, skaters still rock the rink, forming crews and showing off their routines. The Bad Boys Skate Crew and S.Q.U.A.D are still keeping it real and inspiring the next generation of skaters. Wanna know more? Check out the creators mentioned in this blog, they know their stuff!