Meet ‘Slo-mo,’ the 81-year-old rollerblader in San Diego
SAN DIEGO (KSWB) – In the Pacific Beach neighborhood of San Diego, hundreds of people know John Kitchin as “Slo-mo.” The 81-year-old has been rollerblading the boardwalk for 24 years — always in slow motion.
“It feels good like when you’re in a curve, to maximize that feeling. So that’s what I’m trying to do — I’m trying to get the best possible feeling,” said Kitchin, a retired neurologist who spreads joy along the boardwalk every afternoon.
All along the Pacific Beach and Mission Beach boardwalks, people stop to give him a shoutout.
“It just overwhelms me,” he said.
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“Everyone in the city knows him. It’s so cool. He brings so much happiness to San Diegans. If I come down here and go for a run and I see him, 100% better day,” said Cheri Walter.
To celebrate his 81st birthday, people gathered in Pacific Beach on Sunday, some dressed in his signature colors, blue and khaki.
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“He’s healthy, happy and doing what he loves,” said Walter.
Kitchin was presented with a certificate of recognition Sunday by California State Sen. Catherine Blakespear for bringing peace and joy to the community.
“People have just gotten used to it, and I reckon that’s the main thing,” said Kitchen. “Live your life as much as you can, and do what you want to as much as you can. Once you secure your survival, do what you want to.”
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