Palmerston North listen up - time to get your skates on

ON THE MOVE: Children with their prizes from the Easter Roller Disco. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

The Manawatu Skating Club has held an Easter Roller Disco for all ages to enjoy, while encouraging people to get fit and healthy.

Last week club president Vikki Gibbs encouraged locals to get out and be active, and take a turn at skating.

For only $5 per skater, including skates, locals had fun in the decorated environment as they played games, listened to music, dressed up and won prizes.

Mrs Gibbs said the idea behind it was to encourage all ages and families to get out and away from the usual electronics.

"This was an opportunity for the community to be entertained at a cheap cost."

"Obesity at the moment is huge and the Ministry of Health is trying to put a stop to it. This gave the children a chance to exercise without realising that they were getting fit at the same time."

People were able to choose what they wanted to do, whether it was line speed skating, or artistic quad skating.

"We had all ages participating in the sport and of all abilities, with our eldest being 50. We were all really encouraging and people were surprised to see they did not fall over anywhere near as much as they thought."

All the money raised will go towards developing the skating talent in Palmerston North, supporting and sending skaters to international and national events.

The Manawatu Skating Club will be holding an open day at Memorial Park from 12pm--2.30pm on March 20 and their next disco will be April 1.