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Three disco balls twirl while the lyrics "we're going to groove tonight, all night" blast from the speakers as men and women skate around in circles.
It's a normal Wednesday night at the Rollercade.
For more than a year, the Rollercade, 223 Recoleta, has offered adults the chance to skate their hearts out without having children to trip over, said Aaron Estrada, manager and business finance sophomore.
Adult Skate is open to anyone over the age of 17 from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday nights. Admission is $5 and includes skate rental. Skating is not only fun but good for one's health as well.
"It's a cardio workout. It helps you keep your figure, work out your knees and helps your balance," said Tim Temkin, mathematics freshman, who has been working at the Rollercade five years.
A 44-year-old information systems technician has been skating regularly for three or four years.
"I love it, it's good exercise and relaxation," said Michael Carpenter, who said he skates three hours at a stretch.
The Rollercade does not require safety pads but skaters are allowed to bring their own, Temkin said.
Attendance varies each Wednesday from 40 to 100 people, Temkin said.
"On an average night, we have 75 people and on a good night 140," said the Wednesday night DJ, Fonz Beltran, whose daytime job is running his own hair salon.
The age of attendants varies from 25 to 55, Beltran said.
"We get an equal amount of guys and girls of all lifestyles," Temkin said.
They offer different types of skates to choose from depending on whether a skater seeks comfort, ankle support, flash but less balance, hockey style skates or figure skates.
Many people bring their own.
"I've only been here six or seven times, but after the third time, I wanted to buy my own skates," Rico Garza, psychology sophomore, said. Many people prefer to attend adult night because of the absence of children.
"There are no kids to trip over, and the music is better," said Megan Collum, known as "Megahurtz" of the Prim Reapers in the Alamo City Rollergirls. "There has been a resurgence in skating lately," she said. "I like to think that we had something to do with it."
The Alamo City Rollergirls is a San Antonio roller derby league. The league was started in May 2005 and has four teams of 8-13 female members. During the course of the night, games are played to various types of music. Winners get free hair cuts at Beltran's hair salon, Fonz Salon, 7460 Fredricksburg Road. On Adult Skate Night, Beltran spins classic rock, '80s hip-hop, old school jams and slow skate songs.
"I always felt I was born in the wrong decade so this is like the place to be," Garza said.
Adult Skate Night is from 7:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. Wednesdays at the Rollercade, 223 Recoleta. Call 826-6361.
Car-Vel Skateland South, 2351 Goliad, will have Adult Skate Night from 7 p.m.-9 p.m. Nov. 22. Call 337-6200.
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