I was first introduced to Laverne at Gatwick Airport whilst on my way back from Skate Love Barcelona a few years back. Since then, our paths crossed a few times when meeting with our artistic skating teacher, and then — we bumped into each other again at Gatwick on our way to an artistic skating retreat in Ibiza. We became roomies on that trip, and honestly, we’ve had a beautiful connection ever since — always deep chats about our shared passion, or fresh skate skill exchanges at a skate meet.
Anyone who knows her will likely tell you the same thing; she’s charismatic, warm-hearted, generous and so so passionate about her skating — at home or abroad. And also, you better believe that Laverne is no stranger to a spontaneous skating trip. So many skaters have been inspired by her “just go for it" attitude when it comes to making the most of a skate vacay.
Laverne has skated in most parts of the world and had lessons with just about every prominant instructor across the global — it's no wonder she's become one of London's primary contacts for those wanting to host international skate teachers in the UK. Her desire to travel [prolifically] and connect with skaters all over the world, paired with her unquenchable thirst for soaking up a wide variety of skating styles has impacted her knowledge and ability to skate most styles like no one else I know.
Laverne has become quite a talking point in London, as we proudly watch her living her best skate life — creating the richest of skating experiences possible.
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I think I've now done about 25 [skate trips] in the last two years. I like to try a little bit of everything.
I love skate culture. I don't know, I just like to travel and learn and meet people."
~Laverne
7 Questions
Q.1 How did you first get into skating?
"My mom got me some skates when I was younger, but I don't remember, actually, skating on them. I was like, maybe maybe 11 or 12. Anyway, in my later life, one of my friends kept saying, get some skates, get some skates. And I was like, nah, nah. So then, I tried on her skates one day in the garden, and I was like, oh my god. I felt like, yeah, this feels good. I was 49. So then we used to go to our local park where we grew up and we played hockey, chase each other and have a laugh. I didn't even know how to skate. Then I went to Slick Willies and bought a pair of Venture Pros. And, yeah, so that was good. So that was my first experience of like, really being on roller skates and enjoying it."
Q.2 How did you progress from there?
"I started roller skate lessons at Hyde Park with this guy called Huey.
So yeah, he'd like, teach me stuff in the park. He was teaching me how to go forward, do turns, like, the basics. He was good, he was an OG skater. But it was winter and cold outside, so I started classes with Isle of Skating and Roll Happy. You know me? I was doing every single lesson—beginner, level one, level two, level three, four. I was on it. So, um, yeah, after that I did lots of different skating lessons with teachers across London whereever I could. Thats when I started meeting lots of different skaters. I also went to Rolling Distance, out to the car park to skate with those guys."
➡️ Watch Video: Guess Who Owns This Sk8 Collection? [25+pairs of skates]
Q.3 I know, you're a little bit of a traveller. So, when did you when did you take your first skate trip?
"I started I started skating it in the 2021. And in 2022, I went to skate to Barcelona because that was the first big skating trip I heard about. That's when my skating trips started. I went to Barcelona in September.
I saw Myesha [Smooth Godess] at, Skate Love Barcelona. I saw that they were doing JB there. I didn't really know what it was, but it just looked really cool and that. So, then I used to go online. I used to see, all this JB, like Maliq [JB Skate Chicago] and Alono [Look At Lono]. I ended up going to Chicago and taking JB lessons with, Myesha and Josh Backsmoke."
Q.4 Did the trip influence your skating?
"Greatly. I mean, the rinks are massive, and as you know, the energy is ... just like, the JB energy. Vibrant!
Oh my gosh. I think I've now done about over 20. No, about 25 in the last two years. Yeah, just skating. I just love to skate, and I love skate culture, I like traveling and meeting people. I like ...I don't know, I just like to travel and learn and meet people."
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➡️ Watch Video: 25+ Sk8 Trips in 2 Years
Q.5 Since then you've had loads of trips. Where have you skated in the world?
"Oh my gosh. So, um, so I went to Chicago. I went to I went to Miami and I skated with Rocs World, and then I skated with Diamond Walker, and I came home, and I was too hungry for more. So then I went to, Ohio, and I skated with, Sky Sensei. Um, I think after that, I went to Cincinnati to skate with Smitty, I've done so much with Smitty. I went to Atlanta. Where else have I been? Dallas, Canada. Mexico, Barbados, um, oh my gosh... I went to Maryland as well. Mary Land, Baltimore, um DC, LA, Jamaica and Barbados.
I've been to places in Europe as well. So I've done Paris. Skated with Brian in Amsterdam, I've done Germany, Berlin Carnival, Valencia and Portugal.
So I've been to Chicago about five five times. I've been to Atlanta twice, I've been to Cleveland, Ohio twice. I've been to Cincinnati twice.
Um, I've been to Baltimore, Maryland about three times. And I've been to, New Jersey in there twice as well. Like, I do group lessons.
So when I come back, they're like, oh my god, I remember you.
They really appreciate when I travel, like, people can't believe you've come all this way to skate. And, you know, some of them don't really even go out of their city. So, you know, I feel really welcome when I travel."
Q.6 Do you have a favourite out of all the places that you've been to?
"My favourite city is Chicago, like I mean, yeah, I just love Chicago.
I love the energy. I love the people there. Um, not to say that I don't like the people anywhere else, but I just I just feel at home in Chicago.
I like snapping. I like New Jersey. I like, um, I'm not I'm not hooked on one thing. I think I'm a what you call an eclectic skater. I just like the fusion. Do you know what I mean? I like to try a little bit of everything."
Q.7 So what what's next for you? Is there any is there more places that you like to go?
"I would really like to spend more time at home, but then, like, sometimes I just... I feel like when I'm when I'm away, I can really skate. I can switch off and just skate. When I'm at home, I feel like I don't really get the time to switch off, yeah, life life's me at home, whereas when I go away, I can switch off.
I'm a bit spontaneous. Yeah."
➡️ Listen & share: Laverne's Audio [via YouTube]
➡️ Follow: @irokfaceandbodyart on instagram.
➡️ Previous interview: 7 Questions With Big Jim
Kelly
Cranial Osteopath | Wellbeing Coach | Roller Skate Instructor
🗯️ What did you enjoy most about Lavern's story? Where have you travelled to to catch a roller skating vibe? Share them in the comments below or, leave us a lil emoji response.
