Our Journey
We didn’t invent the wheel, we just made it more fun!
Jeff’s connection to roller skating runs deep, His grandfather was an artistic skater at Roll Haven in Flint, Michigan, and both of his parents grew up skating at the local rink. Jeff’s first experience at a roller rink was on a packed Tuesday, night, where he found himself confidently skating-until he got stuck in the middle of the skating floor, unable to get off as the skaters zipped past. He had to wait for the trio special to make his exit, and when he finally did, his father joked, “You must really like it-you were out there a long time!”
Erika’s mother grew up roller skating at Rainbow Garden’s in Ludington, Michigan. She vividly recalls her first time on skates and was instantly hooked. As she got older, she began skating at Johnny’s in Custer, Michigan. She often shared fond memories of how she, her sister and two brothers would walk to the rink and spend every weekend skating and having a great time.
Erika’s father also grew up roller skating at Rainbow Gardens, which later burned down and is now the site of the current skate park by the beach. Although both of her parents skated there, they didn’t know each other at the time. However, they often wondered how many times they might have passed each other on the rink floor, especially since they knew many of the same kids from the neighborhood.
Jeff’s skating journey continued when he started working in the skate room at Kentwood Arena, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, eventually becoming a floor guard and later a DJ. He worked for the Ellerbroek family during high school and on and off for many years. Meanwhile Erika started skating at Woodland Skating Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan when she was just five years old, frequently going there with her family. Skating has always been a big part of both of their lives.
Erika Started skating at Kentwood Arena and even spent some time on the speed team, skating several sessions a week. Jeff and Erika eventually met through a mutual friend who also skated. Both of us have enjoyed the roller skating life and atmosphere in various ways over the years.
Our Skating Center
The rink we have come to own has a rich history. Matt and Pat Durda owned the Roll-Arena on Laketon Avenue and the Galaxy on Airline Road, and later building the Roll-Arena at the Evanston Avenue location, now named Jumpin’ Jupiter Skate Center.
In 1996 their daughter Patsy and her husband John Ellerbroek purchased the rink from Patsy’s parents (Matt & Pat Durda) and made several updates to the facility. When the Ellerbroek’s began searching for a manager in Muskegon, Jeff & I, driven by our love for roller skating, decided to take on the challenge. We moved to the area without knowing anyone, but believed our passion for roller skating could create a positive impact in the community and offer a place where families could have fun together.
In 1998, we purchased the rink and quickly realized that running a small business required much more effort than we had anticipated. Despite the long hours and increased responsibilities, seeing the joy and happiness of kids and families having fun, has made all the effort incredibly rewarding.
Later we named the rink the “Jumpin’ Jupiter Skate Center.” When asked about the name, we explained that “Jumpin” reflects our original dream of offering indoor playground activities, and “Jupiter” came from Jeff’s love for astronomy. Together, it represents both our passion and our vision for a fun and active family-friendly environment.
We look forward to skating with you soon!
Jeff & Erika Wymer
Community & Awards
Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce
Member since 2006
Supporter of the Year
Love Inc 2001
Innovative Rink Operators of the Year
Roller Skating Association 2010
The Al Kish Attaway Award
Roller Skating Association 2009
Roller Skating Association International
Member since 1998
• Roller skating is equivalent to jogging in terms of health benefits, caloric consumption, reduction of body fat and leg strength development.
• Studies have shown that roller skating provides a complete aerobic workout and involves all 640+ of the body’s muscles, especially the heart.
• The American Heart Association recognizes and recommends roller skating as an aerobic fitness sport.
• Just one hour of moderate roller skating (6mph) burns 330 calories for a 143-pound person, he will take advantage of all the fitness benefits that aerobics can offer. If that same person roller skates vigorously, he or she will burn up to 590 calories in an hour.
• According to a study at the University of Massachusetts, roller skating causes less than 50 percent of the impact shock to joints compared to running.
• If someone roller skates one day, bicycles another, and swims or runs on another, the person will be getting all the fitness benefits that aerobics can offer.
• According to Dr Carl Foster, associate professor of medicine at the University of Wisconsin Medical School, roller skating as a form of exercise is as beneficial as running or cycling. (Information from International Inline Skating Association website).
• During a 30-minute period, on the average, roller skating at a steady, comfortable rate expends 285 calories and produces a heart rate of 148 beats per minutes.
