Rolaboi - Renegade Skater [Paperback]

Jayson Sutcliffe (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2004

From finding a pair of rusty roller skates in a garage, Jayson Sutcliffe went on to become three times world champion in his sport, overcoming trial and hardship, bias and abuse and the untimely death of his beloved brother. Jayson was the first artistic roller skater from Australia to win an individual medal at a Word Championship and went on to make history by becoming the first skater ever to win a world title on both roller and in line skates for figure skating.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An absorbing story of unique style, dedication and obvious talent ..." -- Testimonial, Robin Cousins: Olympic Champion Figure Skater

"an emotional journey .. a heart warming journey" -- Testimonial, Melissa George: Actor

"honest and endearing" -- Testimonial, Luke Dennehy: Herald Sun News

From the Author

When my best friend gave me an autobiography as a gift for Christmas three years ago, my first thought was, ‘I don’t really read much’. Then, after reading only three chapters, I soon found myself at a desk enthusiastically tapping away on a keyboard, recounting my own life story. Not for a second did I envisage having the work published, it was purely an outlet to find clarity in my life at the time.

Writing provided many answers to unanswered questions I had as a child, and as an adult. The exploration required to document the past is no easy task. In fact, it has been a combination of both, pain and passion, whilst at the same time being overwhelming, and exhilarating. I soon learnt that my life hasn’t been all roses, not at all. Sure, there have been highs, extreme mountain tops in fact, yet there have been considerable lows, lows that have given me guidance and knowledge that only failure can bring.

My involvement in a unique and obscure sport, like artistic roller skating, was never questionable when I first took to wheels. It was a sport, like any other, and extremely popular at the time, it was the 80`s after all. Being different, on the other hand, was questionable. Was I, or wasn’t I different? Who had the answers? And what was so different about me? That was what I was in search of, and about to learn, it was what the sport revealed, a side of me, both my family, and I, had never known or experienced.

Product Details

• Paperback: 316 pages
• Publisher: Zeus Publications; 1st edition (November 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1921005017
• ISBN-13: 978-1921005015
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,909,380 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The heart in skating, January 15, 2005

By 

Shaun Cations (Melbourne, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rolaboi - Renegade Skater (Paperback)

This beautiful work gives us an open and confrontingly honest view into the life of a world champion in a sport little heralded or even known in his own country.
It alows us to share the journey of growth through life, love, sport and sexuality of a man of great character.
A must read for all those who searh for honesty and compassion in a world often devoid of both.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A skater's life, December 24, 2004

By 

Carrie Castellano (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rolaboi - Renegade Skater (Paperback)

Rolaboi is a wonderful story about a man's journey through life and his dedication, participation, and love for an unknown sport, artistic roller skating. The story has heart and passion, much the way `Rolaboi' skated during his impressive career. This is a great autobiography that intertwines life, sport, travel, and family.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Champion in Life, June 15, 2007

By 

Cal Gal (California, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Rolaboi - Renegade Skater (Paperback)

Roller skating fans and competitors will enjoy and relate with much of Jason's financial and physical struggles as well as well as sacrifice of what most would call a normal life. However, maybe it wasn't so much of a sacrifice for him when he has such an addiction; his all consuming love of the sport to willingly let go of other desires for the time being. For readers who have no idea about roller sports, here is a story of someone who found his passion early in life, grabbed onto it with both hands and was lucky enough to have parents willing to scrape enough money together to let him try...and succeed.

But giving up a "normal life" does not protect Jayson from the hard knocks that taught and molded him into what he is; a person with depth and understanding of things many may never get to learn: here's what it takes to be a champion in a sport and in life.