Beyond the Devil's Backbone: Finding Community on Eight Wheels

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From movie stunts to fatherhood, Rob Didemar's skating journey spans over four decades of American skating culture. In this captivating conversation, Rob takes us back to his early days on red, white, and blue Rydell quad skates before revealing how a chance audition changed his life, landing him as Seth Green's stunt double in the cult classic "Airborne" alongside future stars Jack Black and others.
Rob pulls back the curtain on Hollywood skate scenes, revealing the truth behind the legendary "Devil's Backbone" sequence that has inspired skaters for generations. These high-speed downhill shots weren't filmed on a continuous route but pieced together across various Cincinnati locations, with skaters hitting up to 60mph on standard aggressive inline skates. His Hollywood connections later led to an unexpected role in Mel Gibson's "The Man Without a Face," completing a brief but memorable film career.
After hanging up his skates for nearly 15 years, Rob rediscovered skating through the most meaningful relationship in his life – fatherhood. When traditional sports weren't working out for his son, Rob turned to what he knew best. What started as a temporary solution evolved into an eight-year weekly skating tradition that strengthened their bond while teaching his son a lifelong skill. This journey prompted Rob's return to quad skates after decades on inlines, documented on his TikTok channel where his son serves as videographer.
What makes Rob's perspective so valuable is his appreciation for skating as more than just sport – it's community. In a world increasingly divided, he celebrates how skating rinks bring together people of all backgrounds, ages, and skill levels. Ready to rediscover your love for skating or find a new community? Lace up and join the conversation about what makes skating a lifelong pursuit worth passing down through generations.

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Chapters

1. Introduction to How Do You Skate (00:00:00)

2. Rob's Skating Origin Story (00:00:58)

3. From Quads to Inline and Street Hockey (00:09:22)

4. Hollywood Stunt Work in "Airborne" (00:18:31)

5. The Truth About Devil's Backbone (00:32:03)

6. Acting in "Man Without a Face" (00:41:13)

7. Return to Skating as a Father (00:55:32)

8. The Benefits of Skating Communities (01:10:51)

9. Final Thoughts and Finding Rob Online (01:23:19)