Chai Timbungco started Everywhere We Skate PH (EWSPH) as a group chat that evolved into a Facebook group/community for those who share a shared passion for skating. The organization was founded in June 2020 and currently has over 9,000 members.
Collaborations with organizations such as the Roller Sports Association of the Philippines, the Philippines Skating Union, BGC, Robinson's, and other sub-skating organizations that share similar goals and values promote and promote online and community learning through a joint effort.
According to Chai, a lot of the local roller skaters who joined EWSPH were used to skating alone or in small groups with no resources to share. One of the main reasons EWSPH was founded was because it was difficult to find a group that wasn't male-dominated and felt safe, Chai responded when asked about why she founded the group. “We wanted to promote a space (both online and offline) where skaters from various walks of life feel safe to talk about their personal journeys. It’s not about the tricks here, it’s about how and what we learn from one another.”
A community that skates together, slays together
When we asked if there are groups that were formed by the community, Timbungco says “There’s a group from Marikina called the “Eastside Roller Skaters”, there’s this all-girl power group called the “Skatebomb Girls”, there are several skaters who do roller pole (roller skating and pole dancing), and countless others who have found a way to combine skating with another hobby. Through EWSPH, we also met a lot of other groups like Manila Urban Skaters, and NOMO Skaters, to name a few.”
Cloe Cabral, one of the group's founding members, also stated that skate meet-ups began in September 2020. She says that they even kept a log to serve as 'contact-tracing,' just to let other skaters know that they can be in the outdoors despite their personal struggles and limits and that skaters are more than eager to reassure and assist one another.
Skaters made use of the Facebook group as a helpful guide to find skate pals and friendly skate places in their neighborhoods. Now, many EWSPH members have formed subgroups, and they are considerably more active in their communities and in promoting skating among various venues, companies, and media as Cabral stated.
Cabral added that the experience and tips being shared by skaters from all over the world have been helpful and were willingly shared as the group continues to promote more people to try skating, though they are also concerned about skate safety and quality. Budget is a major worry for most beginners, therefore giving the best recommendations to skaters so that they can have a positive skating experience even if they can't afford a large investment right immediately. Skating may be really costly! It should, however, be for everyone.
Be part of the skate community!
The group has had various brand partnerships, giveaway collaborations, and a few events. EWSPH’s success has been aided by a growing network of coaches and resources from many roller sports disciplines. Though the group's purpose was not to become sponsored skaters, it was to help one another progress in the sport and make it more accessible.
Timbungco also encourages anyone interested in becoming a part of the community to visit the Everywhere We Skate Facebook group. Roller skate kinds, components, styles, and even a list of local and worldwide shops discovered through ESWPH are all included in the group.
Join Everywhere We Skate PH here now!
