Alfred (Fred) St.-Aubin and Rob Paul love the old eight-wheel drive, four on the floor under each foot. Thunder in their soles, lightning at their heels.

They’re like teenagers again, burning … not rubber … but polyurethane. What roller skate wheels are made of now. Used to be wood. That’s not all that’s changed.

Read more: Skaters rolling back the clock

‘Roller Skating Reunion Skaters try out the surface at Hamilton’s new winter outdoor rink as a roller skating surface.‘- photo Cathie Coward/The Hamilton Spectator