On Monday and Wednesday evenings, in-line skaters can be spotted rolling through Austin, and if you’re like me, a group of 20 Rollerbladers flying past you on the South First Street bridge is enough to draw a little curiosity. Those skaters form SK8 ATX, a community group that’s been rolling since 2016 when founder Jan Eric Welch started the first Monday night skate. This weekend, Sept. 25-27, is their inaugural Capital City Skate, which will bring Rollerbladers on four themed routes throughout Austin’s nooks and crannies.
“It’s just a really special group of very unique individuals who care about connecting with their community,” says Tara Parker, a route leader who has been a part of the group since she moved to Austin in 2023. Like many Rollerbladers, Parker rebooted her skating journey from childhood during COVID, making her a “born-again skater.”
The group will kick off the weekend on Friday evening at Metz Neighborhood Park with a cookout and party alongside The Underground Disco, a local “rolling dance party” group. After that, they’ll embark on their first route, a rock & roll-themed skate with stops at the Capitol and Bat Bridge, aka Congress Avenue, led by Parker. The next morning, they’ll meet at the Long Center and set off on a roll to Barton Springs, where skaters are welcome to take a dip, before meeting back up that evening for the longest skate of the weekend (~17.5 miles). To refuel after, the group will have dinner at Taqueria de Diez. The next morning, they’ll meet back at the Long Center for a mellow skate and picnic at Auditorium Shores. Of the route planning, Parker says, “We really wanted to be intentional about what makes Austin so special for someone to come in and skate.”
All in all, with these routes plus a few more bonus ones for hardcore skaters, SK8 ATX is setting a high bar. Sixty-three miles high, to be exact. “There’s no official recordkeeping for this,” Parker says, “but we think it will be the most mileage for any of the gatherings in the United States. Everything is bigger in Texas!”
If any newbies want to practice before the big weekend, Parker says everyone is welcome at their beginner-friendly Wednesday ride. (The starting location is posted to the group’s Instagram, @sk8atxofficial.) The weekend’s events are meant to welcome experienced skaters of all locales, but even those with less practice are welcome. “It’s choose your own adventure,” she says. “We ask people to just come in and bring their best energy. Know your limits and don’t push yourself past the point that you’re not comfortable.”
Members of the group are used to traveling for their hobby. Parker has gone as far as Berlin and Barcelona, while other members have been to the Big Avocado Roll in Los Angeles and the Big Apple Roll in, well, the Big Apple. But, never before has there been a citywide roll in Austin, and they’re hoping this brings in out-of-towners.
“We want other skaters to feel welcome to come to Texas, and come and see what we’re all about specifically in Austin,” Parker says. “You know, we keep it weird and rolling, and want people to know what magic awaits them on our pavement here.”
This article appears in September 25 • 2026.