2 Skates + 8 Wheels = a good time. Inline skating is a popular, challenging sport. Few feelings rival the adrenaline burst from rocketing down a steep hill or hanging in the air above a concrete half-pipe. Pursued by teenage rebels, artistic dancers, dieting adults and others, inline skating has fun and adventure for everyone. There are seven types of inline skating: recreational, street/aggressive, park, speed/race, marathon, downhill and dance.
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 skates are generally available wherever skates are sold. They have soft-boot shells, four 72mm 85a wheels, and a rubber brake on the back. Recreational skating is for casual fun – so have a good time!
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. These materials can be found wherever skates are sold; aggressive skates are normally sold at specialized sport/skating stories and online. They have a hard-boot shell, 49mm – 56mm 90a – 95a wheels, and some sort of grinding apparatus, either an h-block, mook frame, or soul block. The wheel systems come with several variations. A mook frame will have one wheel at each end and an elongated v-shaped frame between. A flat frame will have four equally sized wheels, separated in the middle by an h-block. An anti-rocker frame is similar to a flat frame, with the exception of the second and third wheel; they are 42mm – they won’t be touching the ground unless turning, grinding or skating down stairs.
Park
Due to the potential damage aggressive skating can cause roads, rails, walls and other structures, there has been a movement (sponsored by private companies and local Parks & Recreation’s) 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. Accomplished skaters, with aggressive skates (see “Street/Aggressive”) can perform a myriad of tricks and stunts during jumps off ramps and pipes. This is one of the most complex and intricate styles of inline skating, but also one of the most rewarding.
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. Skates are specially designed for speed, with a small, lightweight soft-shell boot, 80mm – 110mm 75a – 85a wheels (sometimes four on a skate, sometimes five) and a rigid, thin metal or plastic frame. For the prepared athlete, speed skating may be your ticket to fame. And if it’s not, you’ll have a great time trying!
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 durometer (though most range towards large, softer wheels) and different types of frames. Different skaters will choose different sorts of skates to fit their particular needs.
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!”
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.
There is a world of opportunity with inline skating. People of all backgrounds, ages, and physical conditions are well able to enjoy this world-wide sport: the fun-lover, rebel, athlete and dancer. Skate free!
