Rollerskating as a hobby...

[shoes4life]

Madness as a 48 YR old woman? Realised it was something I loved doing as a kid and would love to do again but I'm afraid:-
A) I'll look like a twat
B) I'll break bones
C) I won't find anywhere to do it
D) I'll be laughed at

Should I let this put me off? Does anyone roller skate? Any advice?

Absolutely not madness, I'm about your age and I own a pair of skates. I went out on them the other night and I still love it. It's a great way to exercise

@nolongeropenforbusiness oh wow! Where do you go? Inside or outside?

I still rollerskate. You could join a roller derby group for indoor skating or find a nice smooth empty-ish footpath for outdoor skating. You need to be confident on stopping before going near roads or down hills so practice somewhere safe first.

Wear wrist guards and elbow guards even if you are really confident.

I'm 46 and planning to start this summer.

I used to ice skate and roller skate when I was a kid and briefly again in late teens. I meant to start again last year but I was injured.

I haven't bought my skates yet and don't really know what to get

i would love to to, i did as a teenager, but now i live in an area with very unsuitable terrain

Skate coach Don Morton is 82. He took up skateboarding recently.
Google him. He is amazing!
You are not too old :)

@shoes4life outside, I'm lucky that the area I live in is great for skating. Turns out I also still like going down hills really fast 😂. Can't quite do all the tricks I used to be able to do and at times I'm a little wobblier than I used to be, but that'll improve with time.

Ah lots of middle age skaters, that's inspiring! Not sure there's anywhere near here suitable but will google roller derby

Go for it! Do what makes your inner child dance with happiness.

Just wear appropriate gear/padding and maybe get someone to show you how to stop and fall safely/gracefully?

Don taught me to skate!

I don't do it now, though, after I fell and hurt myself. It's fun but it hurts when you fall!

I enjoyed it when I was a child but nowadays they all seem to be in-line wheels which I can't balance on. I was OK with a wheel at each corner.

Quads have made a big comeback.

In-line is also having a bit of a revival because of interest in 90s fashion but I'd say it's way more common to see quads than blades again now

Oh, that's good to know!

I play roller derby and everyone is always so friendly. You can always go and learn and not play games. Pm me if you want any advise, any of you

I am 48 and I went inline skating in Hyde Park a couple of weekends ago - loads of people, I was not the oldest by any means….

I'm in my 40s and I roller skate with my DD:

A. If I look like a twat I don't care! I don't think I do and I love my retro style skates.

B. I fell over at the roller disco before Xmas and broke my elbow. Shit happens. If you go to lessons you will learn to fall safely. I fell practicing my turns. If you go straight and bend your knees this won't happen. There are plenty of YouTube videos to get you started. Good pads are essential. My elbow pads had slipped out of place before I fell so I had no padding against the floor.

C. Google is your friend. We go to lessons at a local Leisure Centre and there are a couple of companies running monthly roller discos locally. Roller Derby is not my scene but I know there are adult and kids ones where I live. If there is not an outside skate park they might well be a dedicated indoor venue - often attached to trampoline parks.

D. Who do you think will laugh at you? I get the vibe other non-skating adults are secretly jealous. There are adults of all ages, shapes, sizes and abilities at the local roller discos. 🛼