So much more than skating

Standing in a group of helmets, wrist guards, elbow and knee pads with small children underneath, tutu-clad, 2-year-old Peyton Eish bent her knees, leaned backward and threw her arms out straight, palms flexed in preparation as the “O.C. Mini Rollers” practiced their safety position.

Peyton was one of a handful of kids learning to skate at the Edison Community Center for the O.C. Rollers Skating School at 9 a.m. Saturday.

The school teaches children and adults the basics of skating in six-weeklong classes.

The children, ages 2 to 5, stretched, practiced walking in skates and did different agility games — some while clinging to mom or dad — while instructor Elena “Mia Roller” Parra shouted praise and encouragement at them.

“I love my class. It’s the joy of my life,” Roller said.

Skating around in black shorts with “Do you derby” written on the back, Roller reminded the kids there are no winners or losers, as they prepared for a relay race.

Roller started teaching three years ago after her son and “sidekick” gave her the inspiration.

“I realized that he gets stuck playing video games all day,” Roller said. “We just decided to start the class wanting to incorporate him and do something together.”

Her 8-year-old son, Nico “Kid Roller” Parra, helps set up cones, pass out balls or lend a steady hand to wobbly, beginning skaters wearing a shirt emblazoned with “My mom can skate faster than your mom.”

The idea to get healthy is one of Roller’s main missions, she said. In addition to the skating classes, Roller is trying to start a Mommy and Me class for new mothers and babies in strollers this fall and has teamed up with other derby girls to do health and wellness coaching.

The idea is to get the girls to “hit harder, skate faster and look hotter in (their) hot shorts.”

Roller creates individual eating and exercise plans, and the derby girls are putting together a weight-loss challenge to help each other.

“We’re a big family. It’s one of the best parts of roller derby,” she said.

Roller joined the derby family two years ago, but said it was her lifelong aspiration — growing up, she watched roller derby religiously.

“Some people like to go out and have an alter ego. For some it’s to go out and fight,” Roller said. “For me, it’s to fulfill my lifelong dream.”

Playing on the Orange County roller derby team the Huntington Heartbreakers, the travel team Orange Crushers and teaching skating classes, Roller is living out her dream.

Classes for the skating school run in six-week sessions for all age groups. Each session is $55. To register for classes contact the Edison Community Center at (714) 960-8870.