SAN FRANCISCO – David Miles Jr., affectionately known as the Godfather of Roller Skating in San Francisco, has been recognized with this week’s Jefferson Award for his remarkable contributions to the sport. With over four decades dedicated to promoting roller skating, Miles has become an iconic figure in the city and a beloved member of the community.
Miles discovered his passion for roller skating when he arrived in San Francisco from Kansas City and witnessed people skating in Golden Gate Park. Inspired by the energy and vibrancy of the scene, Miles made it his mission to keep roller skating alive in the city.
As the owner of the Church of 8 Wheels, a former church turned roller skating rink in the Lower Haight, Miles has been teaching skating for the past ten years. His business supports the community work he provides for free. One of his notable achievements is founding the volunteer skate patrol in 1979, which monitors and assists skaters in Golden Gate Park. Miles actively fought against a proposed ban on roller skating in the park and successfully campaigned for the closure of a section of 6th Avenue near Fulton to car traffic, allowing skaters to enjoy their passion safely.
Miles organizes weekly events, such as the popular Friday Night skates, which have brought the community together, even attracting the attention of Mayor London Breed, who joined in the fun. Reflecting on his love for roller skating, Miles emphasized the sense of family that the sport creates: With roller skating, you have an entire family. I think that’s what people want in San Francisco. People want that in the world.
Chris Duderstadt, a longtime skater, admires Miles’ commitment and describes him as the heart and soul of skating. Duderstadt donated park benches to the skating space, inspired by Miles’ passion for the sport.
Miles’s impact extends beyond Golden Gate Park. He partnered with the city to organize San FranDISCO roller skating days at Civic Center, and his skate-a-thons have raised funds for charitable causes like muscular dystrophy and world hunger. He has even set up temporary rinks at events as far away as Burning Man.
At the age of 67, Miles continues to spread his ROLLigion on wheels and express his gratitude for the support he has received in San Francisco. I’m probably the luckiest person that’s never won the lottery because San Francisco has embraced me, he shared with a smile. It’s hugged me, and it’s let me be able to share with others.
For his tireless dedication, advocacy, and positive impact on the community through roller skating, David Dee Miles, Jr. is this week’s worthy recipient of the Jefferson Award in the Bay Area. With his infectious enthusiasm and unwavering passion for the sport, Miles has become a local icon and a source of inspiration for roller skaters everywhere.
