“Finding parking downtown is almost a rite of passage,” quipped Nili Goldfarb, as construction crews put the finishing touches on the newest attraction in Seaport Village. Workers were assembling the last pieces of Ringer’s Roller Rink, her outdoor skating venue that opened earlier this month and is having a grand opening event July 21.
From a parking standpoint, this new location is steps from a trolley stop, making it far more accessible than Ringer’s original rink on Federal Boulevard (near SR-94). For the roller derby veteran turned business owner, convenience was one of many reasons Seaport Village seemed the perfect place to expand.
Located along San Diego Bay, the rink combines waterfront views with a colorful, retro atmosphere inspired by the roller skating culture of the 1970s.
For Goldfarb, “Ringer’s” is more than a business name. It was her roller derby nickname. It’s a tradition in the sport for skaters to adopt identities that become part of their athletic persona.
Roller derby didn’t just give Ringer her nickname. It also laid the foundation for her business.
She opened the original Ringer’s Roller Rink after the roller derby team she managed lost access to the warehouse where they practiced. Rather than letting the community disappear, she created a space where skaters could continue gathering and where newcomers would be welcome.
As word spread, several locations approached Ringer about opening a second rink. It was Seaport Village that caught her eye.
“The oceanfront view really sold it,” she said. “There’s always characters, people visiting from all over.”
That became especially apparent during a Fourth of July soft opening.
“It was cool because there were people from Arizona or Nevada escaping the heat,” Ringer said. “People who aren’t from here were just looking to enjoy San Diego scenery and skate around.”
During my visit before the grand opening, much of the space had already taken shape and curious visitors kept stopping by to sneak a peek.
Transforming the space into a functioning roller rink took roughly four months, Ringer said. The process involved more than installing the skating surface and decorating the venue. All the small details required coordination with local agencies. Including securing approval from the City of Coronado because of a manhole located on the property.
Unlike most roller rinks, Ringer’s is entirely outdoors, an idea that initially raised eyebrows.
“People told me I was crazy,” she said.
She disagreed. Before opening the business, her roller derby team regularly practiced outside.
“If derby skaters can do it outside, why shouldn’t everyone else?” Ringer reasoned.
The result is a uniquely Southern California experience. Instead of fluorescent lights and enclosed walls, skaters circle the rink beneath the open sky with ocean breezes.
Rink décor embraces nostalgia. Teal and pink accents, glittering disco balls and other vintage accouterments evoke the golden era of roller skating, while maintaining a playful, welcoming atmosphere.
Even Ringer herself fits the aesthetic.
When I pointed out that her bright pink hair perfectly matched the company’s logo, she smiled and winked.
“That’s not an accident,” she said.
Though compact, the space offers more than just skating. Outdoor seating overlooks the rink, while a small retail shop has a vintage photo booth. An ice cream truck parked nearby gives visitors a reason to linger after returning their skates. The rink offers brand-new rental skates, making it easy for first-time visitors to join experienced skaters on the floor.
For Ringer, the new location represents more than business growth. It’s another opportunity to introduce people to the joy of roller skating while building the same sense of community that first inspired her to open a rink after her derby team lost its home.
Now, with music echoing across the waterfront and skaters circling beneath sparkling disco balls, Ringer believes she has found a new, welcoming home. SDSun
