For the 53rd daily installment of Big Wheel Blading’s Inline Skating and Life During COVID-19 series we talk to Brodye Chappell. Brodye is a 39-year-old inline skater and furniture maker living in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada.
What is the current situation with COVID-19 on Prince Edward Island?
My wife and I were on lockdown for the last few months. Here on PEI everything shut down. It made it hard to get materials for my furniture commissions and also made it tricky to get essentials like groceries and gasoline. It is starting to loosen up here now in phases!
Were you skating during the lockdown?
At first I was just staying home, but once some of the restrictions were lifted, I started hitting up my local skateparks for some early morning sessions. It is so peaceful skating in the mornings! As more and more restrictions lift, I’ll definitely get out street skating.
Is there anything that would make you stop skating?
I may go a few weeks without skating here and there, because I’m really locked in on my furniture business. But skating is my stress reliever and I need it in my life.
Are you doing any cross training?
Skating and milling my own live edge slabs is my only Cardio haha.
What other activities are you doing to occupy your time?
I’ve gotten back into modding my skates actually. I used to Juice my Classic Thrones all the time! So I tried to see if I could do it to my Them Skates. It turned out amazing!
How has COVID-19 affected your normal everyday life?
It has actually helped me become more efficient. Such as figuring out ways to stretch the food in our fridge and ordering wood materials for my shop, so I don’t have to run around town all the time.
What are your major concerns right now and looking into the future?
I have really enjoyed this “downtime”. It helped me learn to relax and not work all the time. Also, my creative juices are flowing like wine. I designed a small collection of furniture that I plan on releasing in the fall. Something I’ve always wanted to do, but never made the time to do.
How has your local skate community responded to the pandemic?
It boosted everything. Everyone is talking more then ever on Facebook groups, sharing old clips, current skate setups and getting hyped on the upcoming summer! We’ve also been getting out for small sessions here and there.
Links
- Follow Brodye Chappell on Instagram to see some of his amazing furniture and builds.
- Go to Inline Skating and Life During COVID-19 to read more interviews from skaters from around the world.
- Go to Essential Workers – Inline Skaters on the Front Lines of COVID-19 to read about inline skaters from around the world who are considered Essential Workers.
- For our full COVID-19 coverage go here.
- Contact Big Wheel Blading for and questions, suggestions or ideas.
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