For the 61st daily installment of Big Wheel Blading’s Inline Skating and Life During COVID-19 series we talk to Richard Karlsson. Richard is a 31-year-old inline skater living in Finspång, Sweden. Richard works as a forklift operator at a lumber yard.
What is the current situation with COVID-19 in Sweden?
It is advised to stay-at-home, wash your hands and social distance. If you are able to, then it is recommended that your work from home. Public events of more that 50 people are not allowed. Unlike most other countries, Sweden was never placed under a lockdown.
Are you skating? If so what precautions are you taking to stay safe?
Yes I still skate. I carry hand sanitizer with me and wash my hands all the time. I also avoid skateparks if there are a lot of people there.
Where are you going out to skate?
I typically skate concrete skateparks, because it’s a good spot to meet up with friends. There is a new skatepark that I can see from my window, so I think I’m going to be skating there a lot. I’m really hoping I’ll be able to go out street skating again soon and begin working on a 2020 video project.
Would anything ever make you stop skating?
I will only stop skating when my body says NO! I have been blading for 20 years now, so when I do stop skating I suppose I’m going to have blading related projects I’ll be working on.
Are you doing any cross training?
I am super lazy and prefer sitting on the couch listening to music, drinking beer and eating chips.
What other activities are you doing to occupy your time?
I work 8 hours a day, 5 days a week and have a girlfriend and two sons who take up most of my free time. Currently I’m teaching my 6-year-old how to blade.
How has COVID-19 affected your normal everyday life?
Not too much has changed for me at work. The most negative effect COVID-19 has had on me is that I can’t meet up with my friends and family very often.
How is your local skate community responding?
We still meet up to skate while keeping a safe distance and are not high-fiving each other these days.
Do you have anything you’d like to add?
Keep your distance, wash your damn hands and stay safe everyone!
Richard’s Latest Video Project.
Links
- Follow Richard Karlsson on Instagram.
- Follow Richard’s YouTube channel to see more of his skating content.
- 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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