Bobby James, played by Jim Bray, and his group of friends—Phones, Hoppy, Gordo, and others—enjoy their daily skate to work along the scenic boardwalk of Venice, California. Meanwhile, in the posh surroundings of Beverly Hills, we find Terry Barkley, portrayed by Linda Blair, a gifted flautist cruising in her stylish Excalibur Phateon. Accompanying her is her pretentious friend Lana, a character brought to life by Kimberly Beck.
During a skate on the boardwalk, Bobby encounters Terry and attempts to charm her, but she remains distant and dismissive. Fate brings them together again at a local skating rink known as Jammer's, where Bobby's heroic actions during a minor crisis impress Terry. Grateful, she asks him to teach her how to skate for an upcoming Roller Disco contest. A romantic couples skate ensues, filled with flirtation, but Terry still keeps her guard up.
The following day proves to be challenging for both Terry and Bobby as they face criticism from their respective peers and family members. Frustrated, Terry heads to the beach, where she finds Bobby and tries to impress him with her skating skills. They share a passionate moment, but when Bobby jokingly suggests he should be paid for more than skating lessons, Terry responds with a stinging slap before storming off.
Back at home, Terry confronts her mother, Beverly Garland, about her conflicting aspirations—should she pursue her dream of playing the Classical Flute at Julliard, or should she abandon that for a chance at the roller disco contest? The tension escalates, prompting Terry to contemplate running away. The next day, she reaches out to Bobby to apologize and invites him to breakfast. He agrees to skate with her, but under one condition: it'll be a paid arrangement where he calls the shots.
As they work together, the friendship blossoms into something deeper, but trouble looms as Jammer's faces a takeover by a ruthless developer. Determined to save their skating rink, Bobby and Terry approach Terry's father, a lawyer, but he brushes them off. Chaos ensues at an extravagant outdoor event where Terry performs, leading to an embarrassing fall that disrupts the party. Once again at odds with her father, Terry finds herself in a world of disapproval as she grapples with choices regarding her future and friendships.
The skaters uncover a recording that provides evidence to support their cause, and with a thrilling chase through Venice, they make their way to the police just in time. The mobsters are apprehended, paving the way for the Boogie Contest. With anticipation in the air, Terry and Bobby take the floor to showcase their hard-earned routine, ultimately emerging victorious.
As the sun sets over the beach, a bittersweet farewell unfolds between Terry and Bobby. They promise to keep in touch as she embarks on her journey to New York City and he sets his sights on the Olympics, leaving behind memories of a summer filled with dreams and newfound love.
