When Jen Millis, Octavia Bennett and Jen McMahon founded Skate Hags in August 2020, the three were skating in parking lots around Waltham — sometimes even getting kicked out. Now, Skate Hags has become an institution of skating in the Boston area, boasting over 100 members.
Millis, Bennett and McMahon joined Boston Public Radio on Friday to share the story behind their group, and what they’ve discovered while building a community during the pandemic.
“Everyone is just looking for something to do: be outside, get some exercise, you know, try not to seriously injure yourself,” Millis said. “And that was a breeding space for community. People just show up every week — you start to recognize each other.”
Although Skate Hags currently lacks a permanent meeting space, the group can be found at the Smith Field playground rink in Allston once a week. And while beginners might be afraid of how they’ll look skating for the first time, the group emphasizes their commitment to helping skaters of all experience levels.
“What I've learned most about skating is no one's looking at you. It feels like all eyes are on you, but they’re not,” McMahon said. “I would find that in most community environments, especially skate rink culture. If anything, you'll have people skating over to being like, ‘Let me help you out.’”
“I think that we try to foster an environment where everyone is comfortable showing up,” Bennett added.
The group notes that Skate Hags “definitely benefited” from other skate communities from around the Boston area, such as LonelyBones Skate Co., the Boston chapter of Chicks in Bowls (CiB), and Boston Swerve, which is connected to Chez-Vous Roller Skating Rink in Dorchester Center.
For Millis, Bennett and McMahon, the “therapeutic” nature of roller skating — as well as the tight-knit community of skaters they've fostered — keeps Skate Hags' momentum going.
“[Skating] really makes me feel like a superhero — like I have superpowers now,” Bennett said. “That kind of confidence has definitely radiated throughout the rest of my life. I just feel like a happier person not only because I can do things I never thought possible, but also because my mind is clear. And I also happen to have a whole group of friends — like I've got more than 100 friends now.”
