I too skated for years but was just an A to B skater because I could never figure out how to olly. Watched tons of videos, had friends try to teach me, but could never get up even a one inch ledge. But it was my preferred method of transport to get around town prior to getting a driver's license. You could go into a store without locking up a bike, or some mean shop owner telling you no roller blades inside, you could take the bus or train easily, or hop in a friends or parents car easily. Though the train was the most common way I would lose my board by getting off my stop in a hurry. Eventually I fully switched to longboard, but even now in my forties I can't do it. My child got one for Christmas and I felt like a fish out of water immediately and knew that one small mistake would put me out of work. I do miss it though and I look back on those days fondly.