This year, I had the honour of being a part of a very special performance at Notting Hill Carnival 2025 — one that blended history, elegance, and UK Ballroom Skating in a way London had never quite seen before. Alongside five other ballroom skaters, we created and performed a routine that honoured the Windrush generation, and the experience is one we will all cherish forever. This was all thanks to Imperio School of Samba who extended us an invitation to lead them out for their second ever Nottinghill Carnival Parade. We were to be 120 Strong, a beautiful fusion of Brazilian Samba dance and music blended with the storytelling of the unforgettable Windrush Generation immigrants' influence. An opportunity that I simply had to say yes to!
Preparing for the Carnival
For three months, my team and I trained tirelessly to craft a ballroom skating routine that felt fitting for the occasion. Although we were based across north, east and south London, we were happy to make the committment to take time out of our busy schedules to come together three times a week to prepare.
It was decided that a Ballroom Skating Style would be the best fit for our Windrush Theme - one that reflected the union of these brave families coming together and facing on an exciting adventure. We wanted to showcase the elegance and companionship of the 1950’s Windrush immigrants through this beautiful skating style. This theme was particular dear to our hearts as we ourselves, Gen X skaters who each had a personal generational story that directly related to this theme.
Two of our group members Nikki and Andrew [ballroom skating specialist] generously set about providing us the guidance and skills needed to meet the task well. They supported the team with demonstrations, advice and valuable feedback each week before putting together a routine that we could synchronise to amplify the impact for the big occassion.
The theme was both personal and collective: a celebration of the Windrush generation’s legacy, told not only through music and dance but this time, through skates. We wanted to bring an element of grace and surprise to the parade, showing that roller skaters can be as disciplined, synchronised, and expressive as any traditional carnival art form.
Leading the Procession
Carnival Monday began early in West London, where we gathered to get into costume and skates - buzzing with anticipation alongside the dancers, musicians and stewards. The air was thick with excitement, nerves, and the steady beat of drums echoing in the distance. We made the short trip on foot [and skates] to the start point close to Westbourne Park Station, where the Nottinghill Carnival judges, BBC News Reporters and others awaited the beginning of the procession.
At around 10:30am, our procession moved off as the second performers of the day. Ahead of us rolled the ingenious HMS Windrush — a wooden boat ingeniously built around a bicycle, so it could travel forward like a moving sculpture. Each pair of skaters dressed in 50’s-inspired outfits in red, gold, or green — colours symbolising strength, pride, unity - and if course, the Carribean. Following behind us were 114 samba dancers, drummers, and singers from Império da Rainha.
As we turned the first corner, the crowd erupted. The BBC cameras were there, photographers jumped out in front of us, and suddenly we were parading our skills past the press and into the energy of thousands. The atmosphere was electric.
The Crowd’s Response
What struck me most was the reaction. People cheered, clapped, and shouted encouragement as they saw something completely new: roller skaters in formation, moving with elegance and synchronicity down the parade route.
Nottinghill Carnival is known for its vibrancy and exuberance, but the combination of fresh fusion of synchronised ballroom skating elegantly performed and the explosive and sassy samba dances and rhythms that followed created a contrast that magnified the beauty of both. We weren’t just a novelty — we were adding a new dimension to the art of carnival.
A Moment Captured
The following day, we realised that one of the images of myself and my dance/skate partner, Michael, and team mate Ken, had been featured on the BBC News homepage as the lead image for their Notting Hill Carnival story, not once but twice! Seeing our photo blown up as the backdrop to such an iconic event was pretty surreal — a true “pinch me” moment. And then came the icing on the cake: a few days later, we learned that our group, Império da Rainha, had won 1st place in the Brazilian category.
Over the days that followed, we learned that there were multiple articles written in Brazil [and many other locations accross the globe] celebrating Llani leading her newly established Sanba school to victory [you can read two of at least 15 of those articles below].
➡️ Article 1
➡️ Article 2
It was a huge recognition of everyone’s effort — from the drummers to the singers, the samba dancers, and us, the skaters who lead them out.
Reflections
This journey has left us all with immense gratitude. To the our ballroom skaters Nikki and Andrew, who gave us the guidance and inspiration to bring ballroom skating to Nottinghill Carnival. To the rest of my fellow skaters — Michael, Jules, Ken and Liza [who supported us hugely] — thank you for every rehearsal, every bit of belly laughter, and everycallenge we over came together.
And to our samba family Império da Rainha, you welcomed us with open arms and showed us another level of true carnival spirit.
Above all, this experience proved that roller skaters can bring something powerful and fresh to cultural traditions. Who knew that our 8s could add so much elegance, energy, and storytelling to a parade of this scale?
We’re already dreaming up ideas for 2026 — and trust me, it will be bigger, bolder, and even more unforgettable.
Gratitude & Shoutouts
Special thanks to Imperio De Rainha for inviting us to represent the Windrush generation. Also, to Leila for the creation of so many wonderful costumes.
Much respect to Mestre B, DJ Manny and Alex Talbot for holding the music together with their orchestration of a most magestuc live drum ensemble.
Thank you to the bbc news for spotlighting us, and Festus Atkins for capturing the memories with so many such stunning photos.
✨ Notting Hill Carnival 2025 was truly liquid gold — we rolled right through to a victory that none of us will ever forget. 🏆
