Rolling art: Woodinville skater expresses himself on little wheels, preparing for the World Games in Taiwan

Joshua Rhoads inhabits two worlds united by one thing: roller skates.

Overseas, the 28-year-old has competed in stadiums for thousands of fans, some holding banners expressing adoration for the artistic roller skater.

In Snohomish County, though, Rhoads toils away in relative obscurity. The Woodinville resident works 55 to 60 hours a week as a manager at Lynnwood Bowl & Skate. He plans to train 15 hours a week at the same facility, preparing for the World Games 2009, scheduled for July in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Moving from the Klieg light glare of competition to the disco ball glint of a suburban rink can be disheartening. Rhoads is used to it, however.

With little public support in the United States for artistic roller skating, Rhoads focuses on competitions, where he often medals, and staying excited through his love for the sport.

"It's always fulfilled me," he said.

Artistic roller skating bears many similarities to figure skating on ice -- the two sports even use the same terms to describe their moves. But roller skating provides no potential in the United States for the same level of reward.

Rhoads sometimes earns $2,000 for exhibition tours in Italy, but he sees no money from competition or endorsements.

"He's not on a Wheaties box," his wife, Erin Venables, said.

Sitting in a booth at Lynnwood Bowl & Skate, rolling his foot back and forth across the flat carpet, Rhoads noted the similarities between ice skating and roller skating.

He too must pass United States Olympic Committee drug tests, since roller skating is part of the Pan American Games. And except for quadruple jumps, Rhoads can perform the same moves as ice skaters.

"Maybe we'd be doing quadruples now if I didn't have to work a full-time job as well," he said.

He finds other ways to shine. Many artistic roller skaters use classical music. Rhoads, who choreographs his own routines, skates to modern songs. For a time, he used a medley of songs from the Quentin Tarantino movie "Kill Bill."

By combining that edgy approach with his smooth, athletic skill, Rhoads has won esteem from his peers.

"He's highly respected, one of the heroes, if you may, of our youth skaters," said Jane Wojnarowsky, figure skating director for USA Roller Sports.

Contrary to his stylish routines, Rhoads generally dresses simply in an effort to keep the sport "on the common level," he said. He wears snug unadorned outfits during competition. At some exhibitions, he dresses down in a T-shirt and jeans.

He's like Johnny Cash, his wife said.

"He walks out there in the black outfit and no stones, no sequins, none of that, just goes out there and skates," Venables, 24, said.

Rhoads started skating at age 6, and has developed his style during the past 22 years, medalling at past Pan American and World Games. While he has perfected many spins and leaps, those same moves have started to take a toll on his 5-foot-7-inch frame. He needs to stretch for longer. His hips sometimes stiffen. He gets out of cars a bit more slowly than he used to.

"Twelve years on the (Team USA) World Team is a long time, but my body can do it," Rhoads, who is also a certified personal trainer, said.

He has no immediate plans to give up the sport, however. He will skate as long as he is able.

"It's kind of purely passion," he said. "That's really what it is. It's just what I love to do."

Andy Rathbun, Herald Writer, arathbun@heraldnet.com, 425-339-3455