Freshman Daniel Jiang turns heads when going from place to place on campus. His free-line skates — two platforms, one for each foot, with no straps to secure them on his feet — provide him with an unusual method of transportation.

Jiang, an international student and biology major, reflects on his newfound attention and his distinctive skateboard-like platforms.

The Daily Orange: Where did you get these skates?

Daniel Jiang: When I was in China, I was really interested in longboarding. However, I bought the free-line by accident. After I came here, I brought my free-line and realized that people use their longboards to skate around, so I wanted to do the same thing… and I did it.

The D.O.: Do you notice the attention you’ve received for riding your free-line around campus?

D.J.: Oh yeah. Girls always come up to me and say “Wow, that’s so cool,” while the guys who talk to me about it are just like, “What the f*ck!” I mean, I try to introduce the free-line to everybody — tell them what it is called and things like that. I sometimes let people try it, especially people who have long-boards, as I know that they know the balance. When people give me compliments, I usually say, “Thank you,” and if they show their interest, I will offer to let them try it. To be honest, last month, when I was just getting to Syracuse, I tried to start a club. I don’t know a lot of teachers here so I couldn’t find an advisor, so the club couldn’t be held. Or I cannot get school to pay the funds to get some extra pairs of free-lines so I can teach people.

The D.O.: So you’re interested in starting a club?

D.J.: Yeah, definitely. People are very interested. Most people will say they are scared of falling, but to be honest we start to fall even when we are babies — that’s how we grow up. If you are aware of your limit, you can practice and become an expert. I would teach people step by step from my own experience. When I learned it, I didn’t have a teacher, but personally I always tried to figure out the fastest way to learn it so that I could teach people myself.

I feel happy that people are talking about it. I get attention now, so maybe next semester I can get more membership to learn the free-line. I don’t want to make it just a Syracuse thing. All I want to do is share the enjoyment of the free-line with others.

The D.O.: Do you free-line for enjoyment or simply as a means of transportation?

D.J.: Well, in the campus, I use it just for transportation, unfortunately. I try to do some tricks, but I would say it’s not really good for city downtown roads. It’s kind of dangerous.

The D.O.: How did you start skating?

D.J.: Actually, I started to roller-skate when I was 12, and then I eventually tried lined skates and ice skating, and it has all led to my free-lining. I just get enjoyment out of it, so whenever I want to have fun I get on my free-line. I’m really good at roller-skating and ice-skating… I can even go backwards really fast. I try to figure out the similarities between ice skating, roller blading and free-line, but its tough. Free-line is really closer to snow boarding — especially going downhill — I go downhill a lot. When I brake it feels exactly like a snowboard.

Published on October 27, 2015 at 8:59 pm

Contact A.J.: ajgersh@syr.edu