For the 26th daily installment of Big Wheel Blading’s Inline Skating and Life During COVID-19 series we talk to Sebastian Scholz. Sebastian is a 38-year-old inline skater from Bad Reichenhall, Germany. Located in southern Bavaria, Bad Reichenhall, better known as the Ignition Valley, was the home of Ignition Skate Shop and Park.
What is the current situation with COVID-19 in Germany? Are you on lockdown?
Bad Reichenhall is not on a complete lockdown, but a few cities, not far from here, are a quarantine-zone. We can only leave for important things, like getting food, going to the doctor or going to work if you have an essential job. Most people are now working from their home offices. You are allowed to do exercise by yourself, so blading is allowed, but not in skateparks.
Are you still skating?
Yes I am still skating. I think a important thing is to take care for your body, do a lot of stretching and keep your body fit. Prepare your mind first before you try something new. Get into the alpha flow first, know and trust your skills.
What and where are you skating?
I am in the lucky position to be able to skate my own little skatepark at my house. Six months ago I had a really bad injury and broke my foot and some ribs. I did a lot of training to recover and started skating again right in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now I skate three times a week but take it easy as a get back into the feeling of skating. I am a #wheeladdict and have enjoyed my life as a rollerblader for the past 26 years.
What activities are you doing to occupy your time?
I am an entrepreneur and always have a lot of work to do. The best part about the current situation is that I get more time to spend with my lovely wife and our two kids. I still work eight hours a day from home, but after that comes the family life… we have a lot more free time now.
How has COVID-19 affected your normal everyday life?
We are suppose to stay in the house and not leave to go to stores, restaurants, parks or skateparks. Living in the mountains gives us many options to enjoy nature and go on walks. We have lots of open spaces and hiking trails for people to exercise at and walk their dogs.
Because of the stay at home order, it is now really quiet here. The sound of planes, cars, trucks and noisy humans has virtually disappeared. I’m usually not a quiet person but I’m really enjoying how peaceful it is here now! This would be the positive side of COVID-19. On the negative side of the pandemic, I’m afraid we will have hard times for our business, but we will make it… I’m not afraid.
What are your major concerns right now and looking into the future?
I hope we all stay healthy and happy. I hope the economy survives the pandemic. Enjoy life and go rollerblading!
How is your local skate community responding?
Everybody is isolated and there have been no skate sessions anywhere. The skaters are doing a really good job sticking to the governments guidelines and staying at home.
Do you have anything you’d like to add?
I want to thank my wife Alexandra, my daughter Iva, my son Neo, my family, friends and the whole rollerblading community for the great times! Special thanks to Martin Neumeier and Jojo Jacobi. Stay healthy and see you all next time.
Links
- Follow Sebastian Scholz on Instagram.
- 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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