Roller Skating Tips for Figure Skaters
It wasn’t long ago that indoor ice skating rinks and arenas closed down in a measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19, taking their many competitions and organizations with them. And for those living in warmer climates, that meant hobbyists and professional skaters had to find a different means of exercising their skating passion. Now, for this and many other pandemic-related reasons, roller skating is taking off like never before for both beginners and experts in the skating world.
At Riedell, all of our ice skating boots are suitable for inline skating or roller skating, making it easy to transition without having to purchase a new boot. That said, if you’re new to roller skating—even if you’re an experienced ice skater—note that roller skating can be a little bit different. Here are some tips for figure skaters interested in trying roller skating.
Transitioning From Figure Skating to Roller Skating – Inline or Quads?
When you first start to transition from figure skating to roller skating, it’s important to decide whether you want to try inline or quad skating. The center of gravity is a bit different with quads, so it’s important to spend some time adjusting your balance on your skates. Quads can be a bit more stable and beginner friendly, and inlines are faster and operate easier if you’re used to skating on the ice.
Safety First
While you might have had several years of experience ice skating, falling on the pavement is a lot different than falling on the ice. One of the most important things you can do before heading outside is investing in safety gear. Make sure you’re wearing an appropriate fitting helmet, as well as pads to cover your knees and elbows. Wrist guards are recommended, too. Also, make sure you are roller skating on a smooth surface to avoid any large bumps that might cause you to fall.
Start Slowly
One of the best pieces of advice we can give you is to start slowly. Just like with any sport, you don’t want to jump into it and immediately try to learn all the hardest tricks and tips, potentially injuring yourself. It’s important to get used to the different feelings and posture of roller skating.
Start with just basic forward skating to find your balance and gain confidence. Once you’ve mastered this skill, you can move on to learning skating turns and tricks step-by-step. Begin learning new skills by going slow and trying to avoid increasing your speed.
As you start to master beginner level skills, you can proceed to more difficult moves. The key here is to spend plenty of time on your skates, helping you build the confidence to keep going and learning. After all, practice makes perfect!
Completing Jumps, Spins, and Other Tricks
Learning jumps, spins, and other tricks on roller skates can be a bit tricky if you’ve never tried them. But it does help to have a figure skating background, in this case. Especially if you’re learning how to inline skate, take it slow on learning your spins and jumps. It can take some time to get used to the different approach to each move compared to the same move on the ice.
If you want to learn artistic roller skating, oftentimes quad skates are the best option. Similarly to learning tricks on inline skates, take your time and go through the motions slowly. Learning to find your balance is important.
Slowing Down and Stopping
Slowing down and stopping is also a bit different on roller skates—as you begin to learn, when you’re going at a steady and slow speed, the toe stop method can be effective.
Have Fun
Last, but certainly not least, roller skating is all about having fun. Enjoy yourself by meeting new people who are also interested in roller skating and going to the skate park—this can be especially helpful when learning new skills. When there are other experienced skaters around, chances are they will be more than happy to give you advice and tips. If you don’t get it right away, don’t get discouraged. Take your time, practice, and have fun with it. There’s no timeline when it comes to learning how to roller skate.
Top-Quality Boots From Riedell
At Riedell, we are known for our top-quality figure skating boots, but did you know these boots can also be used off the ice? When you choose a high-quality boot for your roller skates, you’ll be able to skate longer and with better performance and minimal discomfort.
Our master craftsmen create boots to ensure the most comfort and quality possible. We can also customize your boots to fit your specific feet measurements and specifications. Ready to start roller skating with Riedell boots? Find an authorized dealer today!