Rolling through the years

It had a little to do with disco, said Lorry Orcutt who has managed the rink for 24 years.

Back when Orcutt was competing professionally with her husband, disco was saturating the airwaves and ambushing roller rinks around the nation.

"There were such crowds coming here that they couldn't hold them all. They were knocking down the doors," Orcutt said. "That was the best time."

In 1980, when Orcutt stepped away from professional skating to take over management of the rink from her coach, disco was dying but it spawned a new generation of professionals. Skaters moved from Friday night disco fever at the local rink to choreographed routines at national competitions.

Those people have spent the last 20 years keeping the rink rolling. Last year, the rink was the practice ground for three skaters that made it to the Roller Figure Skating World Team. The year before that, four members of the world team called the rink their home.

This year's 49th World Roller Figure Skating Championships takes place Nov. 15 through 28 in Fresno. It's the most prestigious event for roller skaters since the activity isn't officially recognized as an Olympic sport.

Kathy Lanza, of San Carlos, occasionally watches her niece perform in roller figure skating competitions and said it's more exciting than the typical ice skating seen on TV. Lanza, a San Mateo County native, spent Sunday at the rink with her two children for a 7-year-old's birthday party.

"I think it's great that it's still open, I just wish they'd update it a little," Lanza said.

While the admission fee has risen to $6 per person and soda now goes for $1.50, the facade remains the same.

The 65-foot by 160-foot wooden floor hasn't seen much change in the last 50 years. A fresh coat of paint and maybe a new sound system is the extent of the changes people notice when they walk in. The skates look the same as they did 50 years ago, as do the gum and sticker machines.

Orcutt said the decision to stick with tradition has kept the rink alive all these years. Other rinks have incorporated new music to attract more crowds but ended up closing down anyway, she said.

In 2001, the San Mateo Rolladium closed it doors for good after trying to attract more people with contemporary music. The music attract more people and violence which erupted in gunfire outside its doors in the early '90s. Orcutt said Redwood Rink doesn't want to take its chances with new crowds.

The most prevalent change in the last 50 years, the emergence of the in-line skate, is an overrated item, said Orcutt, pointing out a handmade poster of the history of skating. Infact, the first skates ever made more than 300 years ago were in-line skates. They produce speed, but "quads" allow for better control, Orcutt said.

In-line skates or quads, the rink has something most places don't have now, Orcutt said.

"It's something social people can do. It's not like a movie, You can actually talk to people," Orcutt said. "You can get tiny tots to grannies out there."

Box: Feel like skating?

· Show up on Saturday, April 24 between 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. for the 50th anniversary celebration.

· Admission is $1 with free skating lessons throughout the day. Professional skaters will be on hand for demonstrations.

· Call Redwood Roller Rink at 369-5559 for more information.

Dana Yates can be reached by e-mail: dana@smdailyjournal.com or by phone: (650) 344-5200 ext. 106. What do you think of this story? Send a letter to the editor: letters@smdailyjournal.com.