Roller skaters reminisce about old times; gather in Hawke's Bay at Windsor Park

Former world champions; Peter Maxwell (left); Maree Loader; Karen Treloar lead a reunion at Windsor Park. Photo / Duncan Brown

When Callum Campbell posted a photo of his 6-year-old daughter following in his skating footsteps, little did he know 12 months later a reunion would take place.

But over the weekend, that is exactly what happened.

About 90 former and current members of the New Zealand Federation of Roller Sports travelled from all corners of the world to reminisce about old times and pass on their love for roller skating to the next generation.

"It was about the positive things of the sport, getting everyone back together and showing the new, little skaters what it was like back in the day; how friendships were formed at a very young age and how they are still going 40, 50, 60 years later," Campbell said.

The group, ranging in age from 2-and-a-half-years-old, to those in their 80s, met at Windsor Park and did some "reminiscing and rolling around".

From left, Michelle Webb, Tauranga; sisters Ruby Campbell, 6 and Aleisha Campbell, 2, Hastings and Hawke's Bay roller skating legend Eileen Mills.

A group of women, who skated in the early 50s, travelled from Auckland to be apart of the event, while others came from as far afield as the US and Australia.

"They were a very important part of the sport going through the ages. They brought photos and taught us a bit of history that even some of us didn't know about," Campbell said.

The avid skater is the second generation in his family to take up his sport and has competed nationally over the years. His father has been involved for 60 years.

"It is in our blood, we have grown up with the sport. Once you are in it, you never leave."

Campbell says a resurgence in people taking up the sport is being seen overseas, and hopes it will grow in New Zealand.

Between 10-15 skaters of all age groups from the Hastings Open Air Skating Club currently compete.

And on the weekends, they could have up to 30 children learning to skate at Bay Skate.

"Kids have got the bug, so they're just progressing through the programmes."