On a roll: skater enjoying success

Steve Ting thinks there is something thoroughly unnatural about strapping wheels to your feet.

Despite that, the Dunedin roller skater cannot keep himself away from the sport.

It is that passion that has allowed him to experience success as a skater this year.

Earlier this year, he won the first Acid Ramp Attack invitational jam competition in Waikato and won best video in the Australian and New Zealand Roller Skate Open, which was held online.

He also came second overall in the unsponsored open category.

Ting, who began skating at 7, said he tried to hit the ramps at least once a week, but Dunedin’s weather was not always compatible with the sport.

There was also the issue of injuries. His physio was "not too happy" with him and the sport could take a toll on the body.

On a skateboard there was always the option to bail off the board, but roller skates were strapped to your feet.

It was an unnatural thing and meant he could come a cropper "spectacularly", he said.

Safety was a priority and he always wore a complete set of pads, even when skating casually.

While filming the video for the Australian and New Zealand open he sprained his wrist while grinding down the handrail of a 20-step set of stairs.

In the past, he had hurt his leg so badly he could not walk for two weeks.