Cameron Talbott has a great passion for extreme skating. He thinks that this sport is something adrenaline-pumping that makes you feel free and allows you to understand your limits. To practice a sport like skating a lot of training is required, but when you become familiar with what your body can do… you will never stop.
Hello Cameron, tell me something about yourself. How did your passion for rollerblading come about?
Hey, my name is Cameron Talbott, I’m 34 years old and I live in San Francisco, California. I got into skating around the age of 12, I used to play roller hockey. When a skatepark opened in my town I took my skates to try on the ramps, I was instantly hooked and haven’t stopped since.
Do you practice any other sport besides rollerblading?
Other than skating, I ride my bike all the time, hike with my dogs, and overall I simply enjoy being active and out however I can.
Why did you choose to practice inline rollerblading? Do you think it is more satisfactory than the classic rollerblading?
I like skating because it’s something I can do with my time and terms. It’s very different from a team sport where you have teammates and a coach who push you or depend on you. With skating it’s just me, I choose how far I want to push myself and I set my limits.
In your opinion, what are the risks of this sport and why?
Like any activity, there are risks involved. With skating there is the possibility of getting hurt or simply of general wear and tear on your body. It’s part of the process and you must accept it if you really want to push your skating. In fact, I believe that every time I’ve been hurt I tend to learn more about my body and its limits. And in doing so, I re-evaluate and try to improve myself by taking the time to take care of my body so that I can continue doing what I love.
“With skating it’s just me, I choose how far I want to push myself and I set my limits”
Where do you train? Are there any particular slopes or facilities in your city?
When I was younger I used to go to the skatepark every day, trying to learn as much as I could. After a while your skates become an extension of who you are and your body builds a sort of muscle memory in the maneuvers you choose to do regularly. Nowadays it’s more like trying to keep my body in shape so that I can attempt to carry out whatever ideas I create in my mind. My body is familiar with skates. It’s my mind that creates new ideas. Trying to keep mind and body on the same page is the challenge these days.
Are there international inline rollerblading competitions? Have you ever participated?
Yes, there are contests all over the world. Personally I’ve never been into competitions, but I have participated in a few and enjoyed doing so. I don’t like the expectation of performing. Skating is my outlet and when I skate I do it for myself. I’m not a competitive person by nature, but I understand its importance and have lots of love and respect for those who pursue that avenue of skating.
“After a while your skates become an extension of who you are”
To practice inline rollerblading, do you need a special type of rollerblades?
If you want to do things that involve more impact and tricks, it’s good to have a pair of “aggressive skates.” You can find them in most skate shops or online. They provide more stability and are designed to withstand more abuse than your average skate.
“I don’t like the expectation of performing. Skating is my outlet and when I skate I do it for myself”
To be able to do all those kinds of stunts, how long do you train?
I try to stay active every day. Riding my bike is a big help in keeping my legs strong. As I age, stretching and proper nutrition are key to allowing my body to recover.
Do you have any favorite athletes who inspire you?
Honestly, I have respect for all sports and athletes. When someone pushes and really puts everything into something it’s very inspiring. It’s amazing what the human body is capable of and seeing people push it in so many different ways is nothing short of inspiring.
“I like to skate because it’s something I can do with my time and terms”
In your opinion, what is the biggest challenge in a sport such as inline rollerblading?
I’d say the biggest challenge for me at this point is just keeping my body healthy haha I don’t recover like I did when I was 18. But now that I’m older I feel like I am treating my body better and I’m more in tune with what is necessary to maintain a healthy body. And once again keeping mind and body on the same page can be frustrating at times haha but hey that’s life!
“It’s amazing what the human body is capable of and seeing people push it in so many different ways is nothing short of inspiring”
Follow Cameron on his skating journey here.
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