Roller skating, especially quad skating, has had an extraordinary journey — from early inventions and theatrical spectacles to a full-fledged cultural movement. With its mix of athleticism, rhythmic style, and community spirit, quad skating has steadily grown through the centuries with every generation. In the UK, its origins have long been enjoyed through the paths of Hyde Park, London, where a diverse and passionate skate community helped fuel its growth and give rise to a culture still alive today.

Skating Origins: From Ice To Asphalt

The origins of skating can be traced back over 5,000 years. The earliest evidence of ice skating dates to around 3,000 B.C., when Scandinavians and Russians strapped animal bones to their feet to glide across frozen lakes and rivers. These primitive skates, made from deer, horse, or sheep bones, were used not for recreation, but as a means of travel.

Ice skating began to evolve into a sport by the 19th century. Major milestones included:

1891: The first European Championships were held in Hamburg, Germany.

1896: The inaugural World Championship took place in Saint Petersburg.

1908: Figure skating made history as the first winter sport included in the Summer Olympics, hosted in London — marking a foundational moment for skating in the UK.

The Birth of Roller Skating

While ice skating grew in popularity, innovators looked for other ways to bring the gliding experience to dry land.

1743: The first known use of wheeled skates was during a theatrical performance in London.

1760: Belgian inventor John Joseph Merlin debuted a primitive inline roller skate — essentially an ice skate with metal wheels. However, steering was difficult, and there was no way to stop, leading to more spectacle than success.

The Quad Revolution

Roller skating took a transformative leap in 1863, when James Plimpton of Massachusetts invented the rocking quad skate. Unlike earlier inline models, quad skates had four wheels arranged in two parallel pairs, allowing for easier turning and better balance. The addition of a pivoting mechanism in the axles made it possible to steer by leaning, giving skaters a new level of control and freedom.

In the UK, the 1860s saw the arrival of adjustable quad skates, such as the British-made Jaco’s, which were designed to strap over regular shoes. These skates were popular with adults and children alike and were often used in public rinks or music halls, becoming part of British leisure culture during the Victorian era.

The Hyde Park Roller Skaters: A UK Skating Legacy

Fast forward to the late 20th century, and Hyde Park in London emerged as the unofficial headquarters of the UK roller skating scene. By the 1980s and 1990s, a loose collective of roller skaters — a mix of athletes, artists, dancers, and hobbyists — began to regularly gather on the Serpentine Road, which offered reasonably smooth wide paths ideal for skating complemented by the beautiful backdrop of the park.

This Hyde Park skate community became more than just a skate meet — it gave rise to a cultural movement for rhythm skaters that still exists today. They could be found at any given weekend throughout the year, showing off their creativity flow through freestyle moves, dance routines, and leisurely group skates, often accompanied by boom boxes and plenty of enthusiastic onlookers. It was a space of inclusivity, expression, and living in the moment — a free, outdoor skate rink in the heart of London where any skater is welcome to connect and skate their stresses away.

By the 2000s, organised groups like LondonSkaters and Skatefresh began offering lessons and group skates. The Friday Night Skate and Sunday Stroll hosted open group skates through central London — originating from this Hyde Park community of skaters, helping roller skating become a prominent and highly visible part of the city's cultural flair.

Hyde Park’s skaters helped bridge a gap between generations and a variety of skate styles: from 70s disco flare to technical inline tricks, all unified by a love for the skate flow. This long-standing community also played a significant role in preserving quad skating culture when inline skates surged in popularity during the 1990s.

The Rise of Rollerblades and the Inline Era

In the early 1990s, Rollerblade Inc. brought inline skating into the mainstream, offering sleek, fast designs that appealed to fitness enthusiasts and urban commuters. Inline skates (often called "rollerblades") quickly became the dominant form of skating.

Yet, even as inlines took over, quad skating held firm in the UK — particularly in artistic skating, jam skating, and roller derby circles. Hyde Park remained one of the rare places where all styles coexisted in harmony.

Skating Through the Pandemic

In 2020, the global pandemic hit and people used their free time to seek out ways to tap into their creativity, stay active, social, and uplifted. Roller skating — especially quad skating — saw a global renaissance. Viral TikTok videos, a renewed interest in skate culture and the rise of skate influencers, and a desire for freedom all contributed to a surge in demand for skates The rapid increase in demand saw quad skates selling at an unprecedented level.

In the UK, the Hyde Park community exploded with a vengeance, and once again became the skating hotspot, with an influx of a new generation of newcomers joining seasoned ‘OG’ skaters. The Hyde Park community took the new skaters under their wing, offering encouragement, guidance, lessons, and plenty of inspiration and encouragement. Skating provided a much-needed sense of freedom and stress relief during lockdown and a way to reconnect with others once social distancing measures eased up.

The Future of Quad Skating in the UK

Today, quad skating is thriving as a force! From skate parties in Bristol and Manchester to DIY skate meets in London and Brighton, the movement has certainly expanded beyond the bounds of Hyde Park. Social media has amplified the interest in skate culture, local talent, as well as connecting our global skate community. It has introduced a new generation to the various global skate styles, ignited a passion for skating, and created fertile ground for skate opportunities the world over.

Skate culture has become increasingly inclusive, promoting accessibility, empowerment, and endless hours of fun. What was once niche is now proudly mainstream again — and as always, the skaters of Hyde Park remain at the heart of it all.