VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — A dancer’s body needs to move. However, as we move out of our youth, our bodies may not move in the same way. Former ballet dancer Kirstey Guinto found the extreme flexibility and mobility needed for ballet more challenging in adulthood when her body began craving to dance again. Instead, she laced up a pair of roller-skates and found more than she could have ever dreamed.

In early 2019, Guinto discovered the web site, www.MeetUp.com, that helps to build and find local communities and groups of people with similar interests. “I knew there were tons of other roller skaters in our area — we just needed a way to find each other,” said Guinto. The response was overwhelming, and Virginia Beach Roller Girls: It’s a love skate thing was born.

Guinto continues to network, market and promote VBRollerGirls. Every Wednesday, she hosts “VBRollerGirls Night” at SK8 House Virginia Beach. She offers free skate workshops and seasonal “Roll-Out” events. “Our roll-outs are typically held at the oceanfront in order to accommodate our beginner and intermediate skaters,” explained Guinto. “You don’t have to be on roller skates if you’d like to participate. You can bring a bike, a scooter, skateboard or even a unicycle. It’s all good!” She and her new husband, Marlon, even teach private skating lessons. They teach basic lessons, Mommy & Me lessons, city/downtown skating and even how to skate with your dog.

Her efforts have drawn curious skaters from all around Hampton Roads. “We have the perfect trifecta,” said Guinto. “We have roller derby girls, park skaters and artistic, dance skaters. It’s a nice happy medium.”

She explained, “Roller derby is usually the first thing people think of when I tell them about VBRollerGirls, but we aren’t directly affiliated with the roller derby community. We know lots of girls who are though.” It’s this word of mouth through the broader community that brings interested skaters into the “skate tribe.” “We’ve got park skaters out there doing all kinds of crazy tricks, amazing jam skaters who stick to the rink, and skaters like myself who favor downtown/city skating and choreo/dance skating,” Guinto said. “Whatever you’re into, we’ve got girls who can help.”

Guinto grew up with brothers and has always longed to be part of a group of strong female friends. She exclaimed, “I found it, it works. The community is strong, and the bond is strong.” VBRollerGirls focuses on spreading positivity throughout the skate community while also providing a supportive and safe skate environment for women. While VBRollerGirls targets women, they are open to all genders, identifications, ethnicities — anyone who wants to come skate. “Many of us have brought our kids, families, friends and even our parents,” said Guinto. “Whenever a new skater shows up, I know one of the girls will skate right up to them and welcome them.”

Their special community Guinto has built extends well beyond VBRollerGirls. “When VBRollerGirls was just a baby, I reached out to Mike Mitchel of Siren Skate Shop,” Guinto said. “He has been a great help. So has Amanda Marano of Karma Skate Shop. They have both been awesomely supportive.”

The last VBRollerGirls Oceanfront Roll Out Guinto held during the summer happened to fall on World Wide Roll-Out Day — a day when skaters in cities all over the world hit the streets for a big dance party. At least 80 local skaters joined Guinto that night. Karma Skate Shop sponsored the event, provided a space and prizes and even raffled off a free pair of roller skates. “Mike of Siren Skate shop donated a full set of LED wheels and a full set of skate bearings, and Smartmouth Brewery also happened to launch a roller skate beer on the same day.” Guinto recalled. “The whole day came together perfectly. It seemed to be kismet — everyone was having a great time just hanging out, drinking, skating and dancing.”

Guinto works as an executive administrator at Office Space & Solutions and assists multiple businesses, including Leva Psychiatry, led by Mary Crutchfield, P.M.H.N.P.-B.C., F.N.P.-C. Crutchfield hosts a P.E.E.R.S.® group for young adults, which stands for Program for the Education and Enrichment of Relational Skills. She invited Guinto to speak to the peers group about her experience building community. Guinto was joined by Brad McMurran from Push Comedy Theater who taught an improv class to the kids. “The kids really connected with us,” said Guinto. “It was so awesome to see them come alive.”

This is becoming a common experience for Guinto through VBRG. She has witnessed numerous women come out of their shells, let their guards down and gain confidence through the skating community. “They started their journey as these cautious and timid beginner skaters — and now they’re out there planning their own skate events and bringing even more people together,” said Guinto. It is fitting that the hashtags for VBRollerGirls include #ItsALoveSkateThing and #CommunityCamaRADerie.

“One skater is an EMT, a first responder. I will never forget the first time I met her,” recalled Guinto. “After texting back and forth a few times, I just decided to FaceTime her, and I’m so glad I did. It really seems to get people more comfortable with showing up to an event when you can put a face to a name. She showed up in a baggy hoodie and seemed shy and self-conscious. By the end of the night she was cruising all over the place, and a few weeks later she was sporting crop tops and skating vert ramps! She’s really blossomed.”

Guinto has big plans for VBRollerGirls. She is in the process of assembling a roller dance team. “I’d love to get us on the ‘Something in the Water’ stage next summer. That’s the dream right now,” she said. Guinto hopes to turn VBRollerGirls into an established brand and a recognized team that contributes their time to causes and organizations close to its members’ hearts.

“Skate culture is a huge part of Virginia Beach and it is so heartwarming to see that it’s still alive, and there’s still a lot of love there,” expressed Guinto. “Everyone loves someone on roller skates! There’s a beautiful nostalgia to it, — a very specific type of joy — and it brings people together in such a unique way. There’s nothing else like it. I’m proud to just be a part of it.

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