Stroller Rollers Cut Their Teeth on the Rink

Call it a California fad or just a novel way to exercise: Stroller skating has caught on with parents of infants and toddlers. Skate Depot at Best Plaza at 11113 E. 183rd St. in Cerritos reserves its rink every Tuesday from 10 a.m. to noon for parents and little ones to whiz around the rink with strollers. Admission is $4 per “team”--one adult and one child with stroller--including skate rental. A skating panda joins the fun to lead a game or two of “hokey pokey.”

Parents (moms outnumber dads by 20 to 1) are enthusiastic about the new sport.

“It’s a form of exercise that you don’t need a baby-sitter for,” said Michele Rogers, a regular on Tuesdays. “I used to put off exercising because of that; now I don’t have an excuse anymore.”

Debbie Nansen of Long Beach said the sport is “a wonderful way to get exercise and still involve your child. My daughter Sara (2 1/2) thinks it’s a real treat.”

Jennifer Rachman of Lakewood skated with three of her four children on a recent Tuesday. “I’m trying to make this a habit,” she said. “The kids can be themselves here, and it’s OK. It’s good on rainy days, too.”