Inline skating is a sport or activity that is a great way to have fun or exercise. For you to be able to participate in inline skating, you will need to have a special type of shoes commonly referred to as rollerblades. It is known by this name because the first company to manufacture this type of shoes is called Rollerblade Inc. This special type of shoe is correctly identified as inline skates, and they contain two to five wheels arranged in a single line beneath the shoe.
Having the right gear
For you to be able to learn how to inline skating, you will need to buy inline skates. You can be able to get these shoes at your nearest sporting goods store or an online market. There are different types of inline skates available in the market. For a beginner, go for a multi-use kind of skates. It is vital to get inline skates that fit correctly to your feet. Always avoid skates that are loose on you as this may pose a lot of danger to you while learning how to skate. The heels should fit firm and not slide into the shoe while your toes should hot wiggle in your boot.
Safety equipment
While inline skating, it is advisable for either a beginner or a professional to wear protective gear on you. For a beginner, you are highly likely to have a couple of falls before you a hang it, is essential for you to get these safety gear
- Get an appropriate helmet that fits comfortably on your head. This is safety equipment that you need to have at all times as head injuries are severe and can even cause death. Get a safety helmet with an adjustable chin strap and make sure that the strap is tight at all times so as the helmet does not fall off during skating.
- You will need appropriate skating clothing and wrist guards to protect yourself from friction burns on your skin when you fall. If you don’t have unique skating clothes, you can wear a long-sleeved t-shirt and trousers while learning how to skate.
- Knee and elbow pads are essential accessories to own to be able to protect your joints at all times while you are skating.
- If you can skate in a road that is busy with traffic, it is essential to wear a reflective jacket so that you can be visible to cars passing by.
Getting started to skate
1. Find a flat concrete are
As a beginner, it is important to practice on a surface that is fat and not steep to avoid falling off regularly. You can find such a surface in a park, walkways, an empty street, or a vacant parking lot.
2. Standing and balancing on your inline skates
For you to begin this exercise, you need a support structure near you. You can hold on things such as a wall when you are getting into position. While holding onto the wall stand and keep your feet approximately 8 inches apart, keep your knees bent forward in a V-position. Let go of your support and try to get the feel of your feet and skates while you are in this position. To get more used to the feeling of the skate, you can take small steps by walking around with the skates.
3. Push off when you are comfortable
When you start to skate, you will feel as if you are walking in a pair of slippery shoes. Do not push off yourself too hard as this may cause you to fall. Gently glide off your right foot forward, then gently repeat this action with your left foot. While pushing yourself forward, ensure that you maintain the V-position. When you are bringing off a foot forward, always transfer your body’s weight to that foot. Keep alternating your feet by doing so you are already skating.
4. Stopping
For most of the beginners, they find it easier to stop by slamming into something such as a wall. There is a safer and easier formula to coming to a stop while you are skating. Inline skates are fitted with a brake pad at the back of the boot. To stop put one of your feet forward and lift the toe so that your heel can rub on to the ground, this will slow you down, and you will eventually come into a stop.
Conclusion
Inline skating is an easy and fun activity to do. Ensure you are having the right gear while learning how to skate. It will be more helpful to you as a beginner to have someone who already knows how to skate while learning.
