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Two years ago, Skate Oddity, a goth roller skating night popped up in Burbank. It was definitely one of those one of a kind things a lot of people want to check out. I started going. Last year, I'd be at the skate park or the rink at least three times a month. Noticing a lot of slackers/Xrs, but a lot of teens to 30somethings are into roller skating as well.
Last week, the local rink had over 400 people show up.
I might be off base on roller skating becoming the next big thing, but it's becoming clear that roller skating is growing in Southern California, from Porn Valley down to Orange County.
But there might be something else involved. Night clubs are dying out. Mobile device entertainment and interaction is causing fatigue.
Roller skating allows for one on one interaction without the pressure to date, it's a fun activity where alcohol and drug consumption isn't compulsive (like a sports bar or a rave), trying it out doesn't require a major investment, and it encourages everyone to be creative (like seriously, I'll see 200 pound hip hop bros move like ballet dancers).
So if I had to say what the next big thing is, look for similar factors. Bowling often involves booze, but drinking isn't necessary. Golf can be pricy, but there are public golf parks. Porn Valley now has a combination bicycling AND outdoor roller skating group. There's rock climbing groups, hiking, etc. Anything that involves cheap/free socialization without politics and we can put the cell phone down.
If we have a tie with the internet, check trends for activities like this and go with affiliate links for things like sports equipment, Groupon. Maybe build web sites focused on local events like bowling in Kansas, or hiking in Nevada and link that up with Amazon, REI, etc.
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Publicist and owner of HighOctaneHeart.com, FetishArtist.net and FetishForLife.com
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