By Jolene Ogle
A Christmas present has unearthed a new trend in Noosa after hairdresser Tanya Stevens put out the call for fellow roller skaters on Facebook.
Tanya’s sons bought her skates for Christmas and after a nasty fall while skating on rough roads and pathways, Tanya decided to find a better venue and some great company to share her passion.
The 48-year-old mother of two said she was “just a girl with a vision”, looking for someone to skate with and had no idea of the overwhelming response she would receive when she posted a message to Facebook asking if there were any other women interested in skating.
So far, more than 100 women have responded to Tanya’s call out for “fun-loving” Tewantin and Noosa ladies to join her in skating. The message was posted to the Noosa Community Notice Board on Thursday (12 January) and said Tanya was interested in starting a recreational quad roller skating group.
“I am just a learner skater myself and encourage other learners and all skill levels to join me. We can learn together,” the post read.
Tanya said all women needed to be over 18-years-old as she hoped to start a roller derby team, and must also be available to skate at least once a week, own skates and not be a “Serious Sue”.
Within minutes, a flurry of comments appeared below the post, with local women saying they were excited by the idea of joining a roller skating squad.
“Wow, interested! No skates and have not skated in years, but it sounds fun,” wrote Kylie Davis.
“Sounds like fun! I may need kneepads to start with though,” said Juanita Pawa.
“Hell bloody yes. Count me in!” said Sky Louise Schouw. “I’d have to buy skates. Can only blade … but I’ve always wanted to partake in roller derby.”
Tanya said she had been speaking with a local venue and hoped to hold regular skate days at the site in the near future.
The recreational skating sessions will take place at the Noosa Leisure Centre on Sundays from 10-12noon and will be just $11 per person. No date has been set just yet but anyone who would like to join in the roller skating can join the Facebook page – Tewantin/Noosa Rollers – to keep up to date.
