You Are Wonderful Oscar Karekezi "Inline skating is a pleasure... and must remain one!"

MY SKATES? MORE PRECIOUS THAN MY CAR A 4-YEAR-OLD SON FOLLOWING IN MY FOOTSTEPS "I have children and I used to inline skate with them, that's how it all started..." Aware of a major legislative void, the lack of management of a phenomenon sweeping through most major cities, and to ensure "that inline skating does not simply turn into a nightmare," Oscar Karekezi decided to play the safety card. "At first, when I talked about protective gear, people replied: That's for those who aren't talented! I then looked at other countries to see if their situation was as wild as ours," our interviewee recounts. "I am against rebellious inline skating, poorly maintained ramps that end up attracting only delinquents." An awareness campaign would be the driving force behind his action and the starting point for his association "Ganza Roller," referencing his own Rwandan origins. But after huge enthusiasm in the late 90s, the future of inline skating no longer seemed guaranteed. The major skate brand Bauer died, and people declared that inline skating was living its final hours. "Everyone told me to drop it," Oscar continues. "But my stubborn side encouraged me to keep going." The French Community Commission (Cocof) gave him the opportunity to go into schools to raise awareness among the youngest. "Without being preachy," he insists. "We addressed the profile of the skater as children ideally conceived it, keeping the fun side while adding protective gear." And this approach won unanimous approval. As much among students as among teachers and parents. "Ganza Roller" would organize holiday camps, then classes during the school year at the Boitsfort school, the first and to this day only permanent inline skating school in Brussels. And Oscar notes: "Parents very quickly succumbed to temptation, setting their self-consciousness aside. Today, 60% of students in our classes are adults!" While "Ganza Roller" naturally partners with the Rollerparade, emphasizing the safety aspect that is all too rarely addressed, Oscar insists, despite the success, on keeping his organization on a human scale. "My goal is not to create a skater-producing machine," he clarifies. Yet his evening classes are full, and the Bois de la Cambre rink, which he takes over twice a week with around thirty aspiring skaters, turns people away. Starting in 2004, "Ganza Roller" also plans instructor training in disadvantaged neighborhoods, as well as themed trips combining sport and escape. And Oscar confides: "On skates, I was a tough case. What you need is the trigger. But once you have it, you can't stop..." NOTE || Information: www.ganzaroller.org — Free braking class this Sunday, August 24 from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM at the Carrefour des Attelages, in the center of Bois de la Cambre.