Faq

A street skate is an organised event whereby groups of skaters get together and skate through the streets of major cities. These are not protests but a fantastic way to experience a city, see its sites, meet new people, get great exercise and improve your skating, all at the same time!

We have noticed that people who learn to skate with some initial instruction, do not fall very much. We at Skating Kids believe that skating is a safe and fun sport, and when you are taught how to use your protective gear properly, you also learn some key positions that help you get out of trouble before a fall actually happens. Those that teach themselves, tend to learn the hard way with many backward falls.

Lesson 1: One of the most understandable yet undermined roller skating lessons is to wear roller skates that fit well. One of the reason why many skaters have sore feet and blisters, and even stumbles down while skating is due to ill-fitting skates size

Lesson 2: Another roller skating lessons is to master the brakes before you begin skating at quick speed. This is essential to be learned since it would lessen the chances of stumbling or crashing into an object that would lead to potential injuries.

Lesson 3: If you prefer to have outdoor skating then it is good to look out for a hard and smooth surface to prevent injuries from uneven surfaces. This will give you a slight decline to hastily lose control. In addition, never attempt to do skating in the traffic.

Lesson 4: Always wear protective gears at any costs. Many beginners would take this important tip very lightly; however, this could be very helpful in protecting the skater from any injuries. Around 46% of the injuries sustained by the skaters are because they did not wear any safety gear. Therefore, always make sure that you're wearing appropriate safety gear such as the helmet, knee and elbow pads, wrist guards.

1. Recreational

This is the avenue of choice for family outings, dieting adults and casual fun-lovers. Recreational skating offers a little of all worlds; it can be performed inside an arena or on the streets. It has no dangerous trick or high-flying speed opportunities. Simply don some skates and state however you please - in circles, squares, on the track, down the street, or wherever your feet and mind can take you. Recreational skating is for casual fun - so have a good time!

2. Street/Aggressive

Rebels, dare-devils and adrenaline addicts unite! For all x-sport lovers, this is one of the best options out there: it's cheap, accessible and very challenging. Street skating is simply what it sounds like: skating on the street. This presents its own difficulties, in that a street skater must learn to dodge pedestrians, jump on and over curbs, skate on rough concrete and brake quickly and effectively. Aggressive skating is a subset of street skating. Characterized by high-flying jumps, grinds on rails and other extreme stunts, its opportunities are limitless. However, so are the injuries, so stay safe by wearing knee and elbow pads. If you are inexperienced you should consider wearing a helmet. The wheel systems come with several variations.

3. Park

Due to the potential damage aggressive skating can cause roads, rails, walls and other structures, there has been a movement to create skate parks designed for aggressive skating. These concrete play places have all the amenities streets can offer - and more - within a controlled setting. Equipped with all types of rails, stairs, curbs, and blocks, they mimic a street quite well. Park skating is mostly characterized, however, by its aerial component; half-pipes, quarter-pipes, and large ramps not found on the streets. This is one of the most complex and intricate styles of inline skating, but also one of the most rewarding.

4. Speed/Race

Have a need for speed? Inline skates have the answer. Speed skaters regularly reach rates exceeding thirty miles/hour. This is not for the unfit and unhealthy, however. Speed skating is a technical discipline, like running, that can take years to learn and perfect. As a sport, competitors spend years of training attempting to reach higher and higher speeds. Also, like all other high-velocity sports, there is an increased potential for injury. Speed skaters, due to the need for lessened weight, generally do not wear any extra gear or clothing. For the prepared athlete, speed skating may be your ticket to fame. And if it's not, you'll have a great time trying!

5. Marathon

Think 26.2 miles is difficult? Try over 62 miles, the regular distance (100k) for skate marathoners! Not for the faint of heart or for the weak of legs and lungs, marathon skating is a tough sport requiring many hours of training and a dedicated mind. If you can go the distance, consider joining this challenging activity. Marathon skates have a soft-shell boot, wheels of all sizes and. Different skaters will choose different sorts of skates to fit their particular needs.

6. Downhill

Want to ski, but don't have the snow? Consider downhill skating. Careening head-long down a sharp decline may sound like suicide to some but life re-born to others. Downhill skating is virtually self-explanatory: a skater skates down an incline while remaining upright and avoiding obstacles. Because skater may reach insane speeds (50 - 70 miles/hour), safety is of upmost importance. Concrete makes an unforgiving landing, so wear protective gear: vest, gloves, pads, a helmet, and skates you feel comfortable with. Once safe and secure - and with a couple hours of practice under your belt - head towards the "big one" and "bombs away!"

7. Dance

Who needs Pointe? Three wheels should do the trick. Dance inline skating is performed on specialized skates: a soft-boot shell, heavy metal frame, and three 65mm wheels with a rubber brake pad on the front of the skate. Requiring many feats of balance, dance inline skating is a relatively unknown sport but well-loved by its ardent participants. Combining the speed of skating with the grace of lyrical, modern and ballet dance, skaters compete across the nation for prestigious titles. For the elegant athlete with a dash of mad speed, consider joining dance inline skating.

Unless you're a roller skating guru, you might not be aware of the different types of rollerskates that are available and what they are designed to do. Among the different roller skate types you will find are Artistic, Jam, Speed, Derby, and Rhythm. Depending on what style of quad skating you plan on doing, you will want to get the appropriate skate style for it.

1. Artistic Skates

Artistic skates are used in many different skating disciplines, but the easiest comparison is to that of a figure skate used on ice. Artistic roller skates are composed of a leather boot, very strong sole plate, and a jump bar that adds additional reinforcement. Like ice skating, an Artistic skate is used on a roller skating surface for single free skate, pairs skating, solo dance, pairs dancing, precision or synchronized skating, and show teams. Although each of these skate disciplines is different, the common thread that they share is the use of an Artistic style quad skate. Artistic skaters need a skate that is strong enough to withstand the force that is exerted on the skate when jumping or landing. The boot on artistic skates is higher than those found on other quad skates. The boot sits a few inches above the ankle providing more support and stability for the foot.

2. Jam Skates

Jam skates are different than any other type of rollerskate because of its unique low-cut design and lack of toe stop, that's right, no brake. The original jam skate design was actually much different, resembling an artistic skate with a high-cut artistic-style boot and tradition toe stop brake. However, over the years, the design has transformed into a skate that resembles the picture to the right. The modern skate design features a low-cut speed skate boot and a dance plug in placement of the toe stop. They feature lightweight frames for fast, agile movement for the skating style associated with jam skating. As a skating style, Jam skating is a combination of dance, gymnastics, and skating. Jam skating's roots stem from the roller disco days of the 1970s, but over time it has evolved and been influenced by multiple sources of artistic outlet. Modern dance, artistic skating, and break dancing have all contributed to the jam skating style of today. For jam skaters, jam skating is more about personal expression rather than aggressive or speed type of skating. The free flowing movements of jam skating have been given countless names such as hexing, shuffle skating, toe-skating, and spot skating. But regardless of its name, jam skating has always been about expression and passion

3. Speed Skates

Most people instinctively think inline skates when they hear speed skates. The truth is that speed skates are available in both inline and quad form. While inline speed skating is more common and more widely recognized, quad speed skating is extremely popular. A speed skate features a boot design that more closesly resembles a shoe. A speed skate will fit closely to the fott and have very little padding, increasing the foot to boot ratio. The cut of the boot is lower and will usually sit around the ankle bone, or underneath it. The design of a speed skate creates tremendous maneuverability and freedom of movement. From a usage standpoint, speed skates are intended to be used in lap skating, time trials, sprints, relays and marathons. They typically offer lightweight plates to reduce fatigue for skating long distances. In recent years, jam skaters have also taken to speed skates because they offer a similar design and freedom of movement. The most notable difference being that a speed skate features a toe stop, unlike a jam skate that uses a toe plug.

4. Derby Skates

Roller derby is a worldwide sport that many people know about, but may not fully understand. While I won't go into detail about the particulars of the sport, just know that roller derby is a contact sport that utilizes strategy and strength to win. Derby skates are designed specifically for use in the sport of roller derby, though they resemble the everyday rollerskate design. Derby skates feature a low-cut boot design with a lace up closure and Velcro strap to properly position and fasten the foot in place. The boot design itself has more padding than a speed or jam skate so that it can withstand the bashing and bumping that roller derby entails. Derby skates can also be equipped with accessories to protect against injury, as can be see with the skate to the right.

5. Rhythm Skates

Similar to a Jam skate, Rhythm skates are designed for dancing, shuffle skating, and slides. The difference between a Rhythm skate and a Jam skate is most evident in the boot design. Unlike a Jam skate boot, a Rhythm skate boot is not low cut. In fact, the boot design looks very similar to an Artistic skate, essentially providing you with the ankle support benefits of an Artistic skate, but the freedom of movement of a Jam skate. Rhythm skates do not have a traditional toe stop brake, but instead features a dance plug like a Jam skate. If you want a skate that allows you to move to the beat, with added ankle support, the Rhythm skate is the ideal choice.