Storyline: Margie Adair was a champion roller skater of the 1950s. Here’s what I learned during a recent interview.
Ravi: Margie, first many congratulations on your successful career in roller skating. Could you give us an insight into what this sport is all about?
Margie: Thank you for interviewing me. Roller skating is a wonderful experience, first learning to stand on them and, then, finding you want to learn more about what talents you have.
Ravi: M Petitbled of France is the one who first patented roller skates in 1819. Could you take us through how this sport has evolved?
Pictured here with Dick DeBeve, Adair won first place in multiple categories at the 1954 USARSA National Championships (photo, usarsarollerskaters.org)
Margie: Wow, your information on who the founder was back in 1819 … I did not know. Back when I skated, we watched how ice skaters were performing and, from there, we developed our own version.
Ravi: As a sportsperson I understand hardship. During your upbringing I’m sure you sacrificed many things to reach your stature. What was going through your mind when your name was included on the U.S. National Team?
Margie: Representing the U.S. in the World Skating Competition was an honor. It was held in Barcelona, Spain. I worked hard to become one of the contestants picked to represent the U.S.
Ravi: There’s a lot of talk about confidence. What improvements did you make in your training schedule and daily routine to become more confident?
Margie: Having confidence is very important. Believing in yourself makes you feel special about training, something that’s necessary to accomplish your goals. Practice is so important and only you as a person can make it happen. You must be dedicated.
Ravi: As you know, there’s an event called “Artistic Roller Skating.” Could you give us insight into what that is, including the various techniques of roller skating?
US Team, 1955 World Championships, Adair is second from right (photo, USARollerskaters.org)
Margie: Artistic Roller Skating involves accomplishing each division of skating level required in that category. We had a roller skating guide book to follow. Rules and dance patterns were very important. Free skating, including pair skating, was a free-form in a routine. In each category you had so many minutes to skate. There was an age limit for the first two divisions, Juvenile and Novice. Intermediate, Junior, and Senior had no age limits.
Ravi: We are very happy for the success you achieved. What do you think needs to be done to nurture the young talent?
Margie: There’s an organization called “USAR Sport” (USARS). Contact them and they’ll have information about how roller skating is evolving today.
Ravi: What is the most important thing you’ve learned through rollerskating?
Margie: The most important thing is discipline. That is a must to work hard and to perfect your techniques to improve all the time. And don’t give up!
Ravi: What challenges did you face?
Margie: It was always to be #1 in my singles events. That was most important to me.
Jack Crichton with Margie Adair (photo, usarsarollerskaters.org)
Ravi: Lastly, what are efforts you are putting in promoting rollerskating?
Margie: When I hear of an event close by I want to go and see the competition as a spectator, to see how skating has improved over the years, and to witness the improvements of jumps, spins, footwork, music, and routines. In today’s world, I believe you’re expected to accomplish certain jumps and spins along with the footwork in your routine. Ice skating has grown so much through the years and I want to see the same thing happen in roller skating. Keeping your edges on the floor with roller skates is much harder than ice skating. The skates are heavier on your feet. I feel roller skating is more of a challenge to stay up on your skates compared to ice skating.
Margie: Thank you again. Ravi, for contacting me! Many years have passed. You brought back old memories!
