Learn How to Roller Skate

Roller skating: the ultimate stress reliever

Unknown

Roller skating is an amazing activity that has been around for centuries and continues to be a popular form of recreation and exercise today. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced skater, roller skating is a great way to have fun and stay active.

Learning how to roller skate can be a thrilling and rewarding experience! With the right skates and a few simple steps, you can soon be skating like a pro.

In this article, we'll provide you with an easy-to-follow guide to roller skating, so you can quickly get to grips with the basics and start having fun. By the end of this guide, you'll have all the knowledge you need to take your roller skating skills to the next level.

So let's get started!

Roller Skating Then And Now

Roller skating has been a beloved pastime for centuries, originating in Europe during the 17th century. This fun and exciting activity soon spread to the United States and quickly became popular, with roller skating rinks popping up in cities across America. As the sport evolved, so did the equipment used, with quad skates eventually replacing roller skates and allowing for more control and manoeuvrability. 

Roller skates have been around since the early 1800s, and they have been a source of fun and transportation ever since. They were originally made of metal and had two or four wheels. The first roller skates were created by a Belgian inventor named John Joseph Merlin in 1760. He attached metal wheels to his shoes and attempted to skate to a masquerade party.

The first roller skates were made for use at the Paris Opera, and they were used by the ballet and the opera. However, they weren't available to the general public until 1849.

In 1848, the first pair of steel roller skates were patented by a hardware store owner in New Haven, Connecticut. The company that is still in business today, the Riedell Company, was formed in 1875. Roller skating soon became a popular sport, and roller rinks were created for people to enjoy the activity.

The earliest skates had a hardwood frame and leather straps, but eventually, in the early 1900s, people started using steel to create the frames, and wheels were made of metal.

In 1913 doctors even prescribed indoor roller skating as a beneficial form of exercise!

By the 1970s roller disco became a worldwide trend.

Today, roller skating remains a popular form of entertainment and exercise that is enjoyed by millions of people around the world.

How To Teach Yourself How to Roller Skate

There are different types of roller skates available for all levels of ability.

So no matter if you’re a beginner or more experienced, there’s something for you.

Beginners should start with a basic type of skate called quad skates to practise balance and build a solid foundation. Then, you can progress to the more advanced skates called in-line skates with a wheel in the front and in the back.

It’s important to always wear the proper safety gear — like a helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, wrist guards, and skate shoes — and learning how to stop and fall properly are also key to having a safe and enjoyable roller skating adventure!

Watching someone roller skate may make it seem easy, but it takes practice and dedication to master the skill. To get started, find a good skate park or centre with a smooth floor and not too many people. With the right resources, like online tutorials, you can teach yourself to roller skate and be gliding around in no time!

Second, invest in a comfortable pair of roller skates that fit you properly and provide great support. They should be lightweight and fit your feet well. Wearing the right footwear is essential for a successful roller skating experience.

If you want to become a great roller skater, practice is key. Start by honing your skating skills on a flat surface and then on a ramp. Put in the effort to practise regularly and for many hours every day to become a great skater. Additionally, use a mirror to check your moves to make sure you are doing them correctly.

With determination and practice, you can become a great skater!

It's important to dress appropriately when learning how to roller skate. Choose comfortable clothes to wear that will move with you and fit you well - not too loose or too tight. This will help you move freely and comfortably as you learn to skate.

Getting the right equipment and learning the right movements and postures can go a long way. Read our other article in this series for in-depth equipment and movement tips to help you on your skating journey.

Rollerskating Backwards

Are you an aspiring roller blader or someone that would like to advance your skills? One thing is certain, you would want to roller blade backwards. This is a more advanced skill almost all roller skaters would like to achieve. Here are a few helpful hints that can help you to develop this skill:

• Get comfortable in your skates: An important skill to first master before attempting to skate backwards is to be more aware of where your body is centred over your skates. This will make you feel more at ease when trying different movements.
• Side step: While skating forward, practise shifting your weight from one side/foot to the other. Your feet should be parallel (in the ready position) then step forward with one foot and shift your body weight to that same and then do the same to the other side. Pay attention while you do this several times to become more conscious of your body weight.
• Heel Pivot: To do this move you will have to lift your two back wheels, move them a little to the side and back. Once you have shifted your heel to one side while you are pivoting on your front wheels your whole leg will be slightly internally rotated. Practise this movement on both sides until you feel comfortable doing it.
• Combine the side step & heel pivot movement: First, shift your heel to the one side and then your weight. Second, bring your other foot to join the one that you shifted until you are in a diagonal position. You will once again be in a neutral stance facing to the front but at an angle. Practise this movement slowly until you are more confident and understand how to perform this movement with control.

• GO! Now, it's time to add some more zip into your movement. When shifting your weight to the one side add some more energy onto that foot and make sure your weight is placed on your heel. As you add more energy to your steps you will start to move backward.

Let us know how it went in the comments section below and if you have some other tips for others trying to skate backward you can share those too!

Where Are The Best Places To Roller Skate?

The best and safest way, especially if you live in the city, to really get moving is at a designated skating rink. Roller blading is a great activity on your own or with a group of friends.

It is also a great way to make new friends with similar interests if you go to a skate park or a roller disco. Here are a few venues that you might want to try out:

Gauteng

• RollEgoli - Sandton
• Skate World - Boksburg
• Rollercade - Pretoria

Western Cape

• Rollercade - Cape Town
• AJ's Roller Rink - Cape Town

KwaZulu-Natal

• Durban Roller Derby - Durban

If you live in a quiet neighbourhood then you can easily go for a quick practice at any time of the day.

Find a Personal Rollerskating Tutor

The best way to learn and advance your rollerskating skills is by hiring a personal instructor. If you feel that learning how to roller skate all by yourself is a little too daunting, then signing up for skating lessons will do the trick. Besides, it will help you feel more confident in your skates.

At Superprof, you can easily find a tutor to help you start off on the right foot or to guide you to so that you can excel and advance in this fun and exciting sport.

The good news is that your first tutoring lesson with most Superprof tutors is usually absolutely free!

With dedication, practice and perseverance, you'll be a pro roller skater in no time.

So put on your skates and start rolling!