roller blading/inline skating

[Suzannewithaplan]

I've been thinking about giving this a try for a while, it looks so exhilarating, does anyone on here do it?
Any tips...is it easy enough to get to a reasonable standard?

[Suzannewithaplan]

Surely someone must've given this a go? :o

[OublietteBravo]

I've got some roller boots somewhere (DH bought them as my Christmas present one year), but haven't used them in a loooong time. I did try doing circuits of the local park a few years back, but the paved surface wasn't very smooth, so I gave up.

[Suzannewithaplan]

thats a shame Obliette, there are area's local to me which I'm confident would be smooth enough.

I'm more concerned that I'll give up in embarrassment at being out in public whilst making an idiot of myself and totally failing to get the hang of it

[DoingItForMyself]

I just skate round the house until I get the hang of it and am confident I won't land on my arse! Will get some pads before I venture out just in case. It doss look like fun doesn't it? I was inspired when I saw a bunch of mums and dads outside dd's nursery all kitted out and ready to go, with those massive sporty skates and leg warmers etc! Looked like so much more fun than running or cycling.

[Suzannewithaplan]

I've been looking online and that was the advice I saw, I live in a small flat so cant exactly skate around indoors but still I saw some drills you can do to get used to balancing and what not.

I'll be getting pads and a helmet too, I'm so longing to glide gracefully (not sure how many years that'll take mind :o )

[EagleRay]

I skate! Well, not that often these days but own two pairs of roller blades plus a pair of roller boots from 1981!

I loved skating as a child/teenager and did all the usual skating outside, roller discos etc. Then about 10 years ago while I was working a v large company, I joined a roller hockey team there and played at lunchtimes. Most of the team were male so it was a bit scary and aggressive at times but I really enjoyed it. I also used to skate on other days in the car park with anyone who was daft enough to join me and usually managed to skate discreetly back to my desk afterwards (it was a massive open plan office divided into cubicles)

These days, I skate mostly in parks but don't go very often as had DD last year (although have been out on the roller blades with the pushchair). I've got a friend who enjoys skating too and we go out together occasionally (she's not from the UK and sees skating as a normal activity, despite the fact that we're both in our 40's)

Definitely go for it! Have a look online to see if there's any lessons or skating sessions near you (where I live there's a regular roller disco, plus private lessons given by another company). If you venture out on your own, make sure your wrists/hands are protected, and find some flat, smooth ground to practice on.

I don't know how near London you are but there's this too - I've been wanting to go for years and hopefully this year I'll make it

Good luck!

[EagleRay]

ps don't be embarrassed about skating in public - I think most people will look at you and secretly wish they were having as much fun

[Suzannewithaplan]

Thanks for the encouragement & inspiration EagleRay!
I did a little iceskating as a child, I could stay upright but I dont think I showed much promise :o
Then again I was very unsporty as a child, nowadays I'm much more 'up for it' (despite being well into my 40's)
I'm still doing my research online but I think 'get into skating' may be the project for this summer.
And I'll look into lessons

[Sleepwhenidie]

Oh it is soo much fun Suzanne! I haven't done it for years but regularly roller bladed in my mid 20's, loved it and my legs looked AMAZING. No other exercise sculpts them the same way (least none that I've ever tried). I'm all nostalgic now, shame there's no skating allowed in the park near us .

[Suzannewithaplan]

Sleep I suspect my legs will end up black and blue despite padding but I guess I'm quite lucky in that I have easy access to several miles of seafront where skating is allowed.

I've not found any local lessons but very keen to give it a go so should've got myself organised with the necessary equipment in a couple of weeks or so...

[Velocirapture]

I skate (badly) blades are easier to learn on IME. I also am taking classes to improve - all the class are ladies of a certain age.

Are there any skateparks near you? Or any roller derby teams?

[Suzannewithaplan]

not sure about skateparks Velo but there are places to skate, little bit apprehensive about shelling out the cash for the kit, just in case it turns out not to be something I can get into.
But I guess I can always sell it!

Did it take you long to get the hang of the basics?

[Velocirapture]

It seemed to take ages, and I still can't stop very well! But in actual fact it was about 10 hours skating, just that it was across several weeks, and i didn't get the chance to practice in between.

[HappyJustToBe]

Rollerblades are rubbish! Quad skates are better though that may be my bias talking! I play roller derby after not having skated since I was a child and took a three or four one hour sessions to feel comfortable on skates.

Safety all the way!

[Suzannewithaplan]

Happy, in what respect are they 'rubbish'?

[chipsandpeas]

i did a few years ago, got a pair of 4 wheeled skates on ebay bbrand new

the local kids laughed at me (cos i was shit and kept falling and losing my balance)

[Nonemoreblack]

I used to rollerblade about 20 years ago! I have never been fitter, or thinner! And it was really good fun. I used to wear my rollerblades accessorised with Levi 501 hot pants and a crop top . It is quite tough getting started, you need elbow pads and knee pads, but I got better quite quickly. Learning how to stop by turning quickly was useful, and didn't take that long to learn. A whole gang of us did it and I picked up a lot from them, but just having a go is the best way. I didn't actually fall over very much! I would love to start again, but am a couple of stone heavier and would find it quite punishing I think. But I am losing weight slowly so maybe soon I'll be getting my blades out of the loft! Good luck.

[HappyJustToBe]

Suzanne, in a very childish "I prefer quads" kind of way. Nothing more considered than that! Life on any wheels is a better one!

[Suzannewithaplan]

Oh I see :o
Are quads easier to master than inline skates do you think?
Does anyone know how much I'd need to spend to get a good quality pair, I'm thinking probably not much change out of a hundred quid?
Or would I need to spend more?

[lljkk]

Quads are more manoeuvrable for artistic skating & sport, inlines are faster & usually easier for beginners & some stunts. Both are fine.

I endorse wrist protectors, btw, I've broken my arms too many times (but only once skating :) ).

[Suzannewithaplan]

Thanks, I plan on getting the full suite of protective gear, my days of cycling sans helmet are done, I'm in cautious old lady mode :o

[EarSlaps]

I've been really fancying skating recently too, I was always in my skates as a child,, happy days.

[Suzannewithaplan]

I've put my plan on ice since I tripped and sprained my ankle (tripped over something....something like a blade of grass or a buttercup petal )

I'm waiting till it's better, I've bought a helmet though and will purchase the rest of the kit when the lump has subsided!

You recon you'll get back on your wheels Earslaps?

[EarSlaps]

Mmm, it would be a hiatus of circa 25 years . I'm not sure there are enough smooth pavements around here either.

In my head though I can skate along a promenade in tight white jeans just like a Tampax advert.

Hope you have a quick recovery Suzanne.

[Suzannewithaplan]

thanks, it's not too bad, had to modify my training a little but I've been able to get my usual full dose exercise fix.
Just dont want to take any risks with new activities while my ankle's not 100%

tight white jeans...how preposterous eh :o