Check Out Gabrielle Larkin’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gabrielle Larkin. 

Hi Gabrielle, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
PERSONAL BACKSTORY: I skated every once in a while, as a kid at skating parties for my school, birthdays, and the like. But when I fell and shattered my left arm at a skating party in 4th grade all of that changed. I felt scared and my confidence was a little shaken, so I didn’t skate again until 2018. At the time I was a mom of 2 and looking for something to call my own push me out of my comfort zone. Coincidentally I had seen on social media that two of my friends (who didn’t know each other) were both getting into roller derby, and I felt like it was a sign. After not skating for approximately 16 years, I showed up to an open practice for Cincinnati Rollergirls and they taught me how to skate and I slowly got over the fear, let go of the wall, and rolled with confidence. Skating really became something that positively affected all areas of my life and spurred what I can only describe as a revival or awakening of myself. I was finding a community of people that felt similar to me and safe after spending much of my life feeling like I didn’t fit in. And I was moving my body, challenging myself, and feeling stronger, which benefited both my physical and mental health. 

BUSINESS: Cincinnati Skate Collective was established in the Spring of 2020. Covid-19 was beginning to dramatically impact our city (Cincinnati) and with the increased need for independent activities, people were turning to skating as a new hobby. Ripper (she/they) (AKA. Gabrielle Larkin) noticed that there were so many types of skating happening – quads, blades, speed, jam, rhythm, artistic, distance, etc. – but nothing unifying them all. In a time where we had to be so distant people were craving community more than ever. Thus, Ripper founded Cincinnati Skate Collective. 

The Collective hit the ground “rolling” and quickly gained traction. A Skate Grant Fund was started and through donations and merch sales we began getting more people on wheels and equipped with the proper safety gear they need to start rolling safely. To date, we have given out over 9 helmets, 30 pairs of skates, 25 sets of elbow/wrist/knee pads, many sets of wheels, toe stops, and MORE! We have also taught countless free lessons and clinics to equip people with the knowledge to start skating safely and confidently. 

Cincinnati Skate Collective has now grown into a community of 1,300+ skaters in Cincinnati and we are just getting started! 

I still skate for Cincinnati Rollergirls! 

And through Cincinnati Skate Collective I am working with Cincinnati Skatepark Project to get a skatepark built in Cincinnati (we don’t have any as of now). In addition, I am also working with Skate Downtown Cincy to save the CRC OTR Recreation Center Rink- Cincinnati’s only indoor rink. 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I think the biggest challenge has been scaling! Cincinnati Skate Collective has grown so quickly and there has been so much interest from the community in skating and skate-centered events. It requires a lot of meetings, time, planning, and energy. 

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
If you need more information let me know! This isn’t my full-time gig- Monday through Friday I manage 2 non-profit coffee shops located in Clifton. 

If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up I was a very creative kid. I loving having new experiences and trying anything I could. I was an art student, constantly creating- painting, ceramics, music, theater, etc. I also competitively danced for years! 

Often, I felt like the odd one out or like I didn’t fit in. I wasn’t the typical “girl.” 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.cincinnatiskatecollective.com
• Instagram: @cincinnatiskatecollective
• Facebook: Cincinnati Skate Collective

Image Credits
Erin Steffke
JP Leong
Jeff Sevier
Mark Minelli