If you cruise past the Circle City Industrial Complex on a Wednesday night, at first glance, you would see what seems to be a good old-fashioned parking lot party. Groovy music, open car trunks, lawn chairs, picnic blankets, sidewalk chalk, a bubble machine, and people. Even more notable—people on wheels.
WHAT IS GRIND CULTURE INDY?
Grind Culture Indy is a group for she and they skaters. The group meets weekly at 7 p.m. in the Circle City Industrial Complex Parking lot and is open to all wheels and all levels of skating.
Grind Culture Indy started in 2020 as just two friends, Carley Moore and Macy Lethco, who began skating as a safe and health-conscious way to get outside and get human interaction during quarantine. Yet, socializing only works when other people are involved.
So, Moore and Lethco fired off an open invite on social media, encouraging others to join them.
“We did not expect anyone to come, but a few people showed up,” Moore said. “…and then they just kept showing up.”
SKATING WITHOUT BOUNDARIES
As Grind Culture Indy approaches its fourth birthday, the group has amassed an estimated 40 members with an average of 20 skaters at each meetup.
It provides a low-commitment and low-stakes opportunity for skateboarders, rollerbladers, roller skaters, and longboarders to gain skill and support without judgment or pressure.
“We’ve had people show up on their first day of skating and people who have been skating seriously for years,” Moore said.
Last year, Grind Culture Indy created t-shirts with local brand mama ochre that say, “Anti-Grind Grind Culture.” This attitude manifests in the casual nature of every meetup. Some members show up to cruise laps or throw their hardest tricks and some just to lounge and chat with other members.
“Grind Culture Indy started with just Macy and I throwing out a shot in the dark,” Moore said. “But how we took form was truly because of the people.”
A CULTURE OF CARE
In talking with members, not one person failed to mention the overwhelming welcome and lasting kindness they felt through joining Grind Culture Indy.
Scout Katta, a fourth-grader, mentioned her favorite part of Grind Culture is how friendly the people are.
“It is fun and I’ve learned that it is okay if you get hurt,” Katta said. “It has made me feel stronger.”
When a skater falls or is struggling with learning a new move, they are immediately met with a gaggle of hands to help them up and echoes across the parking lot of, “Are you okay?” The variety in skill levels between group members allows for beautiful exchanges of tips, tricks, and encouragement.
CONNECTING ON CONCRETE
Beyond skating, member Coryn Hendrix found community in Grind Culture Indy after moving to Indianapolis.
“It is so easy to laugh and vent about my life,” Hendrix said. “This is a great group of people and a really special thing. We all share the same values and they have given me a support system and confidence.”
Hendrix said they have learned through Grind Culture Indy how brave they are.
“Half of the battle is being scared and doing it anyway. Here you have people cheering you on so you fast-track the learning of how you overcome the hard things in life,” Hendrix said.
ROLLING TOGETHER
Grind Culture Indy recently started providing embroidery materials for members to sew name tags onto shirts, hats, bandanas, or whatever suits them best. On June 19, acetone and tools will be shared for a skate maintenance day, with lessons from the veteran skaters on bearing cleaning. The necessary equipment for these projects is entirely self-funded by generous members.
“Everyone is welcome to check it out. We love Indianapolis and any kind of relationship with the community that is good for both parties is something Grind Culture Indy would probably be interested in,” Hendrix said.
Member Sabrina Wicker just wants people to know that Grind Culture Indy is here.
“Whether 30 people or nine people show up, everyone is accepting of new people, super kind, patient, and helpful,” Wicker said.
Curious about skating or just looking for a rad group of friends? Check out @grindcultureindy on Instagram to get updates about meetups.
Be on the lookout for information on how Grind Culture Indy will celebrate Go Skate Day on Friday, June 21.
Madeleine Pape is a community manager and content strategist at Maven Space. While finishing up her degree in journalism from IUPUI, she is dabbling in skateboarding and hot yoga. Two things that accomplish her summer goal of proving to herself that she can do hard things.
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