For the 4th daily installment of Big Wheel Blading’s Inline Skating and Life During COVID-19 series we talk to Kevin Dowling. Kevin is a 37-year-old inline skater and a film and television location scout from Atlanta, Georgia.
Quarantine Self Portrait – 3/24/2020
What is the current situation with COVID-19 where you live?
My country is unfortunately not on a mandatory lock down. The great city of Atlanta however has issued a mandatory stay at home order.
Are you still skating? If so what precautions are you taking?
Yes, I am still skating. I am limiting my skating to a small practice rail in my front yard and skating slowly in order to be cautious. I am placing no pressure on myself to do try more advanced maneuvers.
Built a slider bar for the lockdown. I hope I get really good on this little thing while we are trapped at home.
What would make you stop skating?
I would need to be told by authorities to stop skating at this time. These are dark times and skating is a positive activity. It’s nice to escape reality and do some skating.
Are you doing any cross training?
I am jogging and throwing my kettlebell around.
What other activities are you doing to occupy your time?
Writing, listening to music, setting goals, gardening, spending time with my family and trying my best to remain hopeful.
Trying to remain positive and distant. Huge shout out to all my essential worker friends. I wish I could do more to help. We love you from the bottom of our hearts and will do what we can when we can. Keep your heads up folks. It’s gonna get ugly the next few weeks.
How has COVID-19 affected your normal everyday life?
It has impacted my everyday life greatly. My entire industry shut down with no solid dates to get back to work. I do not socialize with friends. I can no longer visit my favorite coffee shops and restaurants. I wake up in the middle of the night worrying about bills, mortgage and my career.
What are your major concerns right now and looking into the future?
My major concern is the federal government’s inability to give concise and consistent information. This is a time where we need unity more than anything and we are continuing to see division. I am concerned with the health of loved ones and the future of our economy.
Are your fellow Atlanta skaters self-isolating or are they still getting together and not social distancing?
Many of the skaters in Atlanta are practicing social distancing. The main group of skaters all live together so they are isolated together and have friends to skate with. They are still skating big rails which is upsetting. They could fall and steal a hospital bed from someone who needs it to stay alive.
Do you have anything you’d like to add?
I want to add that it is encouraging to see our community come together in this moment. Seeing everyone’s smiling faces and words of encouragement helps escape the reality of how sad this time is.
Put the Creates back on. Starting to feel comfortable enough to try new things.
Links
- Follow Kevin Dowling on Instagram.
- Check out the article Kevin recently wrote for Blader Union about this years Pow Wow Competition, Pow Wow 10 – The Official Story of the Weekend That Never Was.
- 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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