Peter Rye believes life’s greatest joys come by chance – and his rolled in on four wheels! The 75-year-old and his wife Barbara stumbled into an artistic roller-skating class more than 30 years ago, after a friend invited them to take part. What began as a simple outing soon blossomed into a shared passion, which sees them still gliding hand in hand today.
Love at first glide
“Barbara took to it immediately,” Peter tells Woman’s Day.
“I was just sitting on the sidelines with our three young girls, watching. But eventually, I couldn’t resist joining her and once we started skating together, we were hooked.”
From their first tentative steps onto the rink to their debut in a dance competition during the roller-skating resurgence of the early ’90s, the energetic pair have maintained the same commitment to the sport as they have to each other.
Now in their seventies, with three grandkids and more than 50 years of marriage behind them, Peter and Barbara still train three times a week, choreographing fresh routines. Peter also teaches classes at their local rink and together they lend their expertise as judges at competitions.
Skating keeps them young
“Obviously, it keeps us physically fit, but it also doesn’t give us any room to grow old either!” says Barbara, 73.
“Everyone’s younger than us now of course, but we’re still mixing with people of all ages. “Peter loves teaching the younger kids and there are some great skaters coming through these days, so we’re hoping to revive the sport.”
When Peter and Barbara first started skating, the rinks were packed with competitors. This year, they were the only competitors in their category – artistic roller-skating – at their regional championships.
But this won’t stop the dynamic duo, who say they love producing new routines to the beat of fresh rhythms.
Finding their rhythm
“Another thing I’ve discovered since taking up skating is how musical I am,” Peter tells.
“Every year at the championships, they specify what rhythm you’re supposed to use, so we’ve picked ballroom songs, Irish, jazz and more. Adds Barbara, “I love picking the perfect songs for us and collaborating with our coach to shape our routines around them.”
Peter and Barbara are a rare sight on Perth’s skating scene these days, but they wouldn’t have it any other way and have no intention of slowing down.
“Sure, we still trip each other up and occasionally have falls,” Barbara laughs.
“But that’s all just part of the fun, isn’t it?”
