ABOUT
LSkate is more than a skating club—it’s a welcoming community where everyone can learn, teach, and skate! Founded in 2014 by German Moreno as LondonSkateLife, we’ve expanded to Oxford and Madrid. ‘LS’ stands for ‘Learn to Skate,’ inspired by the shape of a skate. Our passionate instructors offer daily classes for all ages and levels. Get to know them through four fun questions: Who are they? Why did they start skating? What do they enjoy off skates? And what’s their favorite trick?
Stephen Johnstone, 2004, Motherwell, 🏴
Who are you?
I’m invested in this sport in many many ways. I teach lessons with LSkate London, I work in the local skate shop “Slick Willies” and I make skating content to post online. I’m mostly known for my instagram and youtube presence where you can find many videos about how I use my skates in my everyday life.
Why did you start skating?
When I was 8 years old, my Mum and I stumbled across a skatepark not far from my hometown in Scotland. There was a company supplying free lessons and equipment hire for rollerblade, skateboard and BMX lessons. I put on a set of rollerblades and I’ve been hooked since.
What do you like to do without skates?
When I don’t have my skates on, you’ll find me walking in nature or socialising with friends. I really love to enjoy the views this beautiful planet provides for us. Sometimes I might even still have my skates on whilst doing these things…
What’s your favourite trick?
Backflip
Aurora Garosi, 2018, Auronzo, 🇮🇹
Who are you?
Very broad question, I will just give some trivia about me. I come from Italy, I have always been interested in living in England. Coming to London still feels for me like my biggest life achievement. I also work a regular job in an art shop. I am quite introverted, I only started to have a lot of friends when I met the skating community.
Why did you start skating?
Very surreal story. About 10 years ago I randomly created a character for a story which I wrote to be a rollerblader in his spare time. Many years after, in England, I saw a pair of rollerblades in a shop and I had a revelation. I was going to skate like the character I used to draw. Yeah. A fictional character I created inspired me.
What do you like to do without skates?
Creative activities from drawing and painting, to singing, playing keyboard and studying languages. I used to be in CrossFit training but I quit as my jobs are all very physical. I also like board games and soccer.
What’s your favourite trick?
Cross Acid Slide
Ilaria Di Maio, 2017, Monza, 🇮🇹
Who are you?
I am that girl with the striped socks, I am a friend, a happy girlfriend, the weird scot-alian lady, the LSocial media assistant, and your local skateshop helper I ended up here by mistake, I thought I would take a gap year to learn some English but, when Covid hit I had to make a very important decision. Stephen kindly invited me to move in with him in Oxford, and so I did. 3 years later we live in London and survive off skating. Life is a beautiful mess
Why did you start skating?
I was really bored one day in summer and I was looking for something to do. A family member noticed it and gave me a pair of rollerblades. The moment I started skating I felt like I should’ve always been on wheels. Skating is the first thing I managed to commit to, I have tried so many sports in the past but they all got very competitive after a while and I quickly got bored of them. Skating gave me the freedom I needed; it’s a solo sport but you can do it with your friends, you can do it just for fun or you can choose to compete, you can put your earphones on and just disappear from the world. I just love it because there aren’t set rules and you can do whatever you want, it’s such a creative sport!
What do you like to do without skates?
Animals, nature walks, going to the sea, cooking for my friends
What’s your favourite trick?
I’m currently more interested in wizard and my favourite move is the Gazelle.
Mina Khodkameh, 2020, London, 🇮🇷🇬🇧
Who are you?
I am now fortunate to be teaching as part of LondonSkateLife. It feels so rewarding when I see my students accomplish a set of skills they never even believed they can do at the start. It’s a joy to be part of a fast growing community of skaters who want to challenge themselves, learn and have fun with all at the same time!
Why did you start skating?
The pandemic back in 2020 was undoubtedly a tragedy but I was thankful enough to have had the time during lockdown to rediscover my passion for skating. I love learning new things and for me skating was at the time the perfect replacement for my gym membership. I had no intention to take up the sport in depth and I only wanted to fitness skate, at most just to stop and go backwards, that’s it Imagine all the adrenaline in being able to control your own rollercoaster…that’s how skating feels!
What do you like to do without skates?
If I’m not skating you’ll find me playing on the piano, boxing at the gym and taking photographs which I mostly do on my skates both to commute and chase sunsets! Imagine all the adrenaline in being able to control your own rollercoaster… that’s how skating feels!
What’s your favourite trick?
SpeedSlalom
Patrik Ondrasina, 2020, Bratislava, 🇸🇰
Who are you?
A young sportsman in love with every kind of sport activity. Empathetic person with amazing communication skills and strongly concerned about skating self-development.
Why did you start skating?
Because of community. I’ve been trying to find something new where I can connect with new people. My friend Jaroslav introduced me to Skating and LondonSkateLife. Explored that skating is actually an amazing way to transport and see the world as well.
What do you like to do without skates?
During my free time I’m into recording and editing Photos and Videos. Off the skates, love to play some Computer Games, watch Netflix, Cook healthy food or to talk some Philosophy.
What’s your favourite trick?
Parallel Slide
Jaroslav Hajdik, 2020, Ostrava, 🇨🇿
Who are you?
I use skating as a way to express my feelings. Once you see me putting on the headphones – this is the moment when I successfully escape one world and enter another. A world full of magic and joy. Join me and my friends on this journey and I promise that you won’t regret your decision!
Why did you start skating?
I started to skate when I was 8 years old, because I was given inline skates as a birthday gift. That didn’t last long and I got distracted by different interests. I started to skate again when Covid hit in February 2020 because I wanted to learn parallel slide.
What do you like to do without skates?
Basketball and football at professional level, As a career path I chose sales when I was a teenager. Now I work in recruitment and help people find their dream job
What’s your favourite trick?
540 mute
Diana Dîntu, 2020, Chișinău, 🇲🇩
Who are you?
Hi, I am Diana, known for my bunny earz on my helmet.. Yes, you read that right, it’s earz with a Z, not just your regular ears and yes, they make your helmet adorable. Check out @ohmyearz on Instagram to make your helmet adorable too!
Why did you start skating?
I was considering running a marathon somewhere in Europe and bumped into the Berlin Marathon. I was surprised to find out that they had inline skating as part of the event so I signed up for it, therefore I had to learn how to skate, stop and all the rest! Little did I know that was going to become serious and the beginning of my skating journey. It essentially started by mistake as I was just looking for the next challenge in my life. Now I am lucky to have joined the LS team where I can teach and spend time on skates with the biggest inline skating community. I specialise in KIDS classes and I love urban skating, skateparks, downhill and sliiiiides!
What do you like to do without skates?
In my spare time, you probably won’t get a hold of me as I love travelling around the world where I can learn tips and tricks from the best skaters out there! See ya on skates, let’s see if you can catch me!
What’s your favourite trick?
My favourite thing is skating backwards through the city with my speaker blasting some old school tunes.
Thomas Nguyen, 2021, Fonternay-Aux-Roses, 🇫🇷
Who are you?
Your friendly neighbourhood French skater! I love discovering new places, learning new things and meet new people! You will soon learn that I also love making terrible jokes.
On skates, the street becomes an amazing playground. I’ve made some incredible memories discovering new cities around the world and meeting new skaters. I can’t wait to help everyone learn this amazing sport and share my passion!
Why did you start skating?
Skating has always been part of my life in some way or another. My parents used to go on street skates with me in the stroller! Once I was older, I tried ice hockey. I was terrible, but absolutely loved ice skating!! 12 years later, I moved to London in 2019, and during Covid, remembered that I love skating, and should start again. After buying my first pair of rollerblades I’ve not been able to stop. Please help… This is a call for help… I actually cannot stop… AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH
What do you like to do without skates?
You’ll find me in the kitchen trying out new recipes, or new foods. On skates or in the kitchen, I will always be listening to some music!
What’s your favourite trick?
I <3 Mute Grab and Angel Slide