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Original poster

roller blading/inline skating

35 replies

Suzannewithaplan · 11/06/2014 23:30

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?

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Original poster
Suzannewithaplan · 13/06/2014 18:19

Sleep I suspect my legs will end up black and blue despite padding Blush 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...

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Sleepwhenidie · 13/06/2014 17:42

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 Sad.

Original poster
Suzannewithaplan · 12/06/2014 23:35

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

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EagleRay · 12/06/2014 23:27

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 Grin

EagleRay · 12/06/2014 23:25

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 Smile

Good luck!

Original poster
Suzannewithaplan · 12/06/2014 23:22

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 )

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DoingItForMyself · 12/06/2014 23:11

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.

Original poster
Suzannewithaplan · 12/06/2014 22:58

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 Blush

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OublietteBravo · 12/06/2014 20:40

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.

Original poster
Suzannewithaplan · 12/06/2014 10:27

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

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