Unique Sara Lohjelm: sports gave me a home
Around the same time as the Winter Olympics took place in Lillehammer back in 1994, I was at home in Finland, pulling on my first pair of ice-skates with the help of my father. I was about 4 years old. After skating my father brought me back and asked my mother if I had been ice-skating before, as I seemed way too experienced for a first-timer. My mother laughed and confirmed that it was indeed my first time. After some very difficult and colourful chapters in my life, I’m now a 34-year-old rollerblader in Barcelona, and this is my story.
Who: Sara Lohjelm, a Finnish rollerblader
How she moves: on blades on streets and skateparks around the world
Where to follow: @skatieperry on IG and TikTok
From being lost as a teen to landing tricks at 34
I was born in a small Finnish town called Hämeenlinna, in 1990. My parents gave me a name Sara. I was living in Hämeenlinna until I was 25, except for the years I spent in a reform school. I moved to Helsinki and embarked on my first solo trip in 2016. I spent three months in Southeast Asia, and upon returning, it was clear that I no longer fit in Finland. I moved to London on the last day of 2017, intending to return to Finland after six months. Those six months turned into seven years. Eventually my new rollerblading hobby took me to Barcelona, where I’ve been living since May 2024.
I was taken away from home by the Finnish social workers and re-located in Mikkeli at the age of 12 due to my problematic behaviour. Those three and a half years spent in the reform school were eventful, but thanks to sports, I managed to escape the melancholic reform school life on a weekly basis. I moved back to live with my mother in Hämeenlinna at the age of 16. I barely had support in returning to normal life. At school I felt like an alien. Integrating back into normal society was challenging for me. I engaged in sports until adulthood, but soon after turning 18 my weeks were filled with partying. At 23, I found my way back to sports and spent some years playing American football. Unfortunately, injuries prevented my progress, and after moving to London, I gave up football for good. Eventually my knee had to be operated on four times. The injuries caused a significant amount of mental health issues, but they made me understand the importance of sports in my life. During the challenging teenage years, sports was the only thing that kept me going, and I could no longer live without it.
“Sports has given me a lot – even a home”
Balls and ice-skates have since been replaced by rollerblades, but I immediately felt they were made for my feet. In the 90s, rollerblading was the fastest-growing sport in the world. It surpassed skateboarding. I tried rollerblades for the first time during the massive boom in the 90s, but it didn't turn into a real hobby. We went back and forth on the streets, and there was a brake pad behind the skate. It just lacked adrenaline. Today, I own a pile of rollerblades, and none of them have brakes. Some are suitable for streets, and some for skateparks. It can no longer be called a hobby; it has become a lifestyle.
The skatepark is my second home. It’s a place where I meet my friends, get to know new people, looking in awe at other people’s skills, and of course face my own fears. We are a small and tight-knit community with people from all walks of life. Despite differences in background or culture, we are united by our love for the sport, and for the first time in my life, I truly feel like I belong somewhere. I am not judged for my eventful past or unusual appearance. I am always welcome among other bladers. Once again, I want to highlight, that sports has given me a lot – even a home.
“She knows how to fall”
In addition to belonging to the community, I have become addicted to the physical and mental challenges of rollerblading. I am 34 years old, and I hit myself hard on the floor multiple times a week. It takes its toll but my background in American football helps me take the hits. I am used to bruises. "She knows how to fall," said my friend who’s had a career in aggressive rollerblading for 20 years. Facing high and dangerous obstacles requires significant mental effort to conquer fears. I may approach the obstacle dozens of times before I dare to even try to jump on it. The four knee surgeries have left me with some traumas, and I suffer a lot from mental blocks. However, this is where my Finnish “sisu” kicks in; we don't give up around here.
250K followers and an inspiring role model
I will never forget the feeling when I landed on both feet after my first front flip. I worked on that trick for months, and it always ended in a fall. It was frustrating. However, succeeding after all the negative feelings is so exhilarating that it is worth it. It is also worth watching my own progress on my social media accounts, which have gained a large following. I have managed to inspire others, who had already quit the sport, to dig out their rollerblades. I serve as a role model for young girls, and I entertain ordinary people with my cheerful demeanour. I have almost 250,000 followers on TikTok and Instagram, I have three sponsors supporting me, and my next project is a signature rollerblade that I will design myself. My goal is to do this as a full-time job, in other words, I want to be a professional athlete. I've already achieved a lot in these three and a half years, but I'm ambitious and I want to see what I can do when I really want to. In conclusion, I want to encourage others to start, because it is never too late.
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Sara is wearing
Skaltsi T-shirt Unisex
Kurvi Men's DrymaxX 3L Parka Jacket
