KUCHING: Once upon a time, a young man stumbled upon a sport unfamiliar to most in this part of the world. What started as a simple hobby soon evolved into a passion — one that set him on a path to where he stands today.
Now, at 37, Avin Liu, former president of the Sarawak Roller Sports Association, has finally turned that vision into something tangible.
After years of anticipation, Kuching welcomes its first roller skating rink — Hi Roller Kuching.
“It’s more than just a hobby; it’s my passion. Ever since I started skating, I knew I wanted to open a rink of my own and this has been a dream in the making for years,” he said.
Launched just three months ago, Hi Roller Kuching isn’t just another skating venue—it’s on a mission to show Kuching City that roller skating is more than gliding in circles.
“I’m not a pro at roller skating, but I want to create this place where people can learn and understand what roller skating is. Hi Roller is not just a neon-lit disco rink — it’s about education,” he said.
Building the Future
Coming from a family involved in sports, with his family managing the Sentosa Sports Centre, Liu is set to launch the Hi Roller Academy in March — educating the younger generation about the whats and hows of roller skating.
“We want to teach people that skating is more than just moving in circles. That’s why, starting in March, we’re launching the Hi Roller Academy. We already have over 30 students signed up,” he said during an exclusive interview with Sarawak Tribune at Hi Roller Kuching in Boulevard Shopping Mall recently.
Like any sport, training never truly ends, and he hopes to build a strong skating community.
“Just like badminton or any other sport, you never stop improving. However, for beginners, we recommend at least 12 classes. By then, they’ll have mastered basic techniques such as crossovers, T-breaks, swing breaks, and reverse skating.
“In just three months, we’ve seen teenagers go from not knowing how to put on skates to mastering crossovers,” he said.
With that, one of the core values Liu instils in his staff is the importance of kindness and generosity.
“I can’t stand watching customers struggle and fall repeatedly. If they fall, I will personally help them up and teach them. This is something I train my staff to do as well.
“I tell them never to withhold knowledge — teach as much as you can because we want to promote roller skating education,” he said.
From Local Rink to World-Class Arena
With the successful establishment of Hi Roller Academy in Singapore, Liu hopes to replicate that success in Sarawak.
“Hi Roller Singapore has produced SEA Games athletes in speed slalom, and I hope to see Sarawakian skaters competing at smaller competition levels and eventually the SEA Games as well.
“After the official start of this academy, I plan to meet with the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Entrepreneur Development, share my ideas and revive the association which hasn’t been active for many years. I hope the ministry will support this and it will be much easier for us to introduce roller skating in schools as well,” he said.
He also said that if given the opportunity, he hoped to see roller skating as an event in SUKMA (Malaysia Games) and to host the event at Hi Roller.
“Many years ago, I organised an international skating tournament with players from Dubai, Australia, Brunei, Singapore, West Malaysia, and Indonesia competing. It was a successful one, though there was no air conditioning at that time.
“Now, with a fully air-conditioned venue that meets competition standards, I would love for Hi Roller to become an official SUKMA venue,” he said.
Skating Options for All
With roller skating becoming a forgotten sport in Sarawak, Liu believes Hi Roller Kuching stands out for its modern yet nostalgic disco-style ambience, which rekindles fond memories for those who once skated.
“Many older visitors are amazed, reminiscing about their skating days. This neon-lit, family-friendly rink is the first in Kuching this century.
“We are also one of the few rinks in Malaysia that provides both inline and roller skates,” he said.
Inline skates, with four wheels aligned in a single row, provide better balance and manoeuvrability, making them ideal for beginners.
On the other hand, roller skates, which date back over a century, offer a more graceful appearance but are harder to control due to their wider wheelbase.
“We provide both options so that skaters of all levels, whether beginners or pros, young or old, can enjoy themselves. For many, roller skates bring back memories of dance skating,” he said.
He also said that whether introverts or extroverts, everyone could enjoy.
“If you don’t like to skate with a lot of people, come on weekdays. Normally, the more experienced skaters come on weekdays.
“Whereas beginners usually come on public holidays or weekends — that’s when people keep falling, and it’s the busiest time because we have to take care of the place,” he said.
Skating Knows No Age Limit
Hi Roller Kuching has become a place where skaters create lasting memories, and Liu has witnessed countless inspiring moments — one of which stands out.
“Our oldest customer so far is around 70 years old. Before he started, I asked him and his family multiple times if they were sure about letting him skate, and they all agreed.
“We provided all the necessary protective gear, including skate protectors and butt pads, and to my surprise, he didn’t fall even once,” he recalled.
To commemorate the moment, Liu even captured a photo of the elderly skater, proving that age was no barrier to pursuing new experiences.
“As long as a child is three years old, they can start skating. We have kid-friendly skates designed specifically for them. If they struggle to balance but still want to play, we have special support aids to help them. Once they adapt, they can transition to inline skates,” he said.
A New Adventure: Archery
With Liu’s dream slowly becoming a reality, his dream doesn’t stop with roller skating.
In the coming months, he plans to introduce an archery range.
“We are introducing an archery range at the shop lot next to us, and I believe we are the first in Malaysia to offer this kind of setup,” he said.
The range will feature moving targets similar to those seen in Hollywood movies.
“The range will extend from 8 to 16 metres since the space is big enough, and beginners will start at 8 metres before progressing. This can be a place for beginners to try and professionals to train,” he said.
With plans to start the renovation in March and hope to open by June or July this year, he hopes this facility will be great for company events or team-building.
Fostering a Holistic Lifestyle
Despite being its third month open to the public, Liu said the response had been overwhelming.
“Many parents shared with me that they appreciate that their kids can come here instead of staying home playing on iPads or watching TV. Even with air conditioning, kids sweat after an hour or two of skating,” he said.
With entry prices starting at RM38 per person, Liu decided to introduce lifetime memberships for students at RM15 and non-students at RM25.
“This membership is a one-off payment for life and one major benefit of membership is one free entry every year during your birthday month,” he said.
Apart from roller skating and the soon-to-come archery range, Hi Roller also offers mini-games and refreshments for visitors to enjoy.
“Instead of just sitting at home, snacking, why not try other activities? Come here and do some activities with our support. Not only skating, but parents can also enjoy pool, foosball, and in the future, archery,” he said.
Liu believes technology is essential, but human connection is irreplaceable.
“Communicate with each other because when the crowd comes in, you get to meet a lot of people. As humans, we need to come back. Devices are good; this century needs devices, 5G, and everything, but I think we need to come back and communicate physically.
“So, I hope Kuchingnites — if you haven’t heard of us — you can come and try skating. No need to worry if you don’t know how to skate; we will try our best to assist you,” he said.
