Since the 1990s, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory photographer Randy Wong has felt the freedom of the open rink beneath his wheels. His enthusiasm for roller skating has played a strong role in shaping who he is.
“I would actually bring lights and cameras to the rink and photograph the people while they skate. I used to post those photos to Facebook and that was enjoyable,” he said.
It all started in high school for Wong. Ever since he began skating, he hasn’t taken the skates off, allowing him to roll himself all around the country. It has been a way of life for Wong, who is a member of the Lab’s Technical Information Department. It has served as an outlet of expression, as a place where he can feel free, and it is also a way for him to take care of his body.
“Once your wheels touch the floor and you hear the music, you just get reinvigorated, and you can go skate two and a half hours without even thinking about it,” he said.
Wong has been passionately roller skating since 1994 and has consistently visited skate rinks ever since. At one point, his enthusiasm for the sport led him to take over a pro shop at a rink in Milpitas, where he sold skates for several years.
“It’s the feeling of it that keeps me coming back. You just get out there: it’s the music, it’s the gliding, it just takes all of your cares away,” he said.
While the gliding has brought him joy purely from a skating perspective, skating has also had other profound affects on his life.
One evening at the rink, someone approached Wong, asking if he could teach her how to skate backwards. Eventually, this started as lessons before skating sessions and soon turned into something more, and over time, their connection deepened. Now, they are in a relationship.
This is not the only way that skating has affected his life; Wong also is able to stay in shape due to his frequency at the rink. Skating is not always perfect, however. Like all physical activities, there is risk of injury involved.
It’s knowing that you share in the excitement with everyone who dons a pair of skates.
“It’s usually just overuse and going left all the time,” he said. “I have a very good personal trainer I’m able to work out any minor injuries with.”
While roller skating has played a large role in Wong’s life, he also emphasizes that when you are a part of the skating community, you are a part of something bigger than yourself. Wong has taken it upon himself to share the world of roller skating with others around him.
“It’s knowing that you share in the excitement with everyone who dons a pair of skates. Whether a beginner or veteran, regardless of background or circumstance. I’ve taken several friends, and they don’t understand why I love it so much,” he said. “But once they feel it, they understand its freedom. You’re just gliding, with no one stopping you!”
For him, it’s refreshing to share his hobby, which has declined in popularity, with people he interacts with daily. His goal is to spark curiosity for others to engage in the activity.
Throughout his time skating, Wong has had the opportunity to travel with friends to different rinks around the country. As they fly from rink to rink, Wong and his peers have found comfort in caring for their equipment.
“When my friends and I travel, we refuse to check our skates because they’re kind of like that old comfortable chair that if you lose it and buy another one, it’s not the same,” he said. One day, Wong hopes to visit more world-famous roller rinks around the country in places such as Atlanta.
Today, Wong skates three days a week, maintaining his passion for the rink. His joy and love for skating at the rink is contagious and makes it hard for others not to join in. For Wong, this is more than just a hobby; it’s who he is. That lets him feel free and positively impact everyone around him.
