Kelly Matthews
Pro Inline Skater
18 years old
Q: When did you start inline skating?
When I was 12.
Q: How did you become interested in the sport?
One day my best friend and I woke up early to skate this ramp down by the river where all the really good rollerbladers hung out. I jumped this launch ramp for the first time. From then on, I loved it! I began to skate with kids from around my town. I watched skating videos, read skating magazines, and I even participated in amateur skate shop contests. I was hooked!
Q: How much time do you spend skating?
In the winter, about 30 hours a week. I spend most of my time skating indoors at skate parks (places indoors and outdoors where there are many ramps and rails to skate) in Long Island.
The rest of the year I split my time between street skating (it's literally skating around the streets in search of the perfect skating spot) and skate parks.
Q: Do you get injured in your sport?
I have fractured my wrist. I had about 20 stitches over my right eyebrow one summer, and I can't possibly count how many bruises I've had in the almost six years I've been skating.
In my sport, I constantly face the risk of injury. Every time I go skate and every time I've had to face pain, I know that it's 100 percent worth it and I wouldn't give up my bumps, bruises, and broken bones for anything in the world.
Q: Do you consider inline skating an extreme sport?
Most definitely! It's completely limitless, and we skaters are the ones who push this sport to the height it's at now. And I think it's here to stay, just like skateboarding.
Q: What makes a sport "extreme"?
The fact that anything is possible. All it takes to be extreme is the will to try new tricks. All that's needed is faith in yourself and the sport. And, for me, a true love of aggressive inline skating.
Q: Why do you skate?
Because skating is me. I feel it's my destiny to be a part of it. Skating isn't just a lifestyle, it's a lifelong passion -- for me at least. Nothing makes or keeps me happier than the feeling of flying through the air and that I'm living a dream. Plus skating has no rules like baseball or basketball. Skating is all about what we make it. And that's definitely special.
Q: What's it like being a female skater?
I love being a girl skater because I stand out from the majority.
Q: Do you compete with the guys?
Sometimes, but it's all just for fun. Plus, it helps push my skills even faster than I would on my own.
