| Introduction and Skating Equipment |
From "Family Sports"
episode SPT-106 |
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There was a time not long ago that most of the general public was unaware of the existence of in-line skates. For a long while, the only people who owned them were hockey players and skiers who used them for off-season training. That situation began to change in the mid-1980s after two brothers developed a modified design and started a company named Rollerblade. The innovative new skate designs soon began showing up in rental shops in Venice Beach, California. Before long they had caught on among sports consumers across the country. In the years since, they've become extremely popular for outdoor recreation and exercise as well as speed competition, roller hockey and trick skating. Without question, a part of the appeal of in-line skating has to do with speed. Once you master a few basics, the exhilaration of propelling yourself at a rapid clip along a stretch of sidewalk -- and with only a modest amount of effort -- can be very satisfying. But this recreational activity is more than just fun. In-line skating can burn as many calories per minute as running or cycling, and without the impact or wear to the joints that running may produce. As with any activity that involves speed, some safety issues need to be addressed. Part of that falls under the heading of selecting the right equipment. Your first decision will be the category and style of skate. It's important that the skates you choose are comfortable on your foot and offer the rigid ankle support -- almost like a snow-ski boot. In another parallel to skiing, new initiates to the sport are advised to take a lesson in order to learn some basic stances and techniques. Many shops that sell in-line skates offer lessons by certified instructors. Salespeople and instructors can also offer you advice on what type of skate matches your needs. Jason Fitzwater, skating and footwear consultant for Galyan's sports store, gives Belma Johnson advice on choosing the right skates and equipment. Soft-boot skates (figure A) are constructed much like a running shoe or light-hiking boot and are designed to offer safe support while being extremely comfortable on the feet. They utilize a leather or mesh upper for breatheability and a limited amount of movement. Since it's impossible to avoid at least a small amount of swelling in your feet and ankles when skating for long periods, having some breathing room in the design will increase comfort. Some boots feature an instep strap that helps keep the heel of the foot seated firmly in the boot and enhances arch support. Hard-shell boots (figure B) offer a more rigid support and increased durability, while a reinforced soft boot (figure C) is a hybrid that offers some of the benefits of both soft- and hard-shelled varieties. Just as with shoes and boots, in-line skates are available in men's, women's and children's sizes so that the boot properly conforms to the foot anatomy of the user. High-performance or specialty skates include models for hockey and aggressive skating (figure D). Advanced skaters and enthusiasts who participate in an extreme-sports variation of in-line skating -- incorporating jumps and other trick moves -- use aggressive or trick skates. The radical techniques used in this daring subgenre of the sport holds a lot in common with those developed by skateboarders. Aggressive skates use small wheels and a small chassis for the enhanced mobility and agility that's required when executing trick moves. Hockey skates, by contrast, use larger wheels for greater speed. Neither of these varieties of skates generally incorporates a braking system since it is assumed that they'll be used by expert skaters who can brake without a rear-braking system. Essential safety equipment for skating includes a helmet, wrist and elbow pads and kneepads (figure E). A helmet is essential to prevent head injury in case of a spill on a hard surface. The skating helmet extends lower in the back than a bicycle helmet since a backward fall could result in a blow to the back of the head. The stiff wrist pads worn by skaters are also extremely important since the most common injuries in skating involve the wrist. Since it's instinctive to break your fall by extending your arm, broken wrists are among the most common serious injuries among skaters. In nearly all cases, such injuries can be prevented if proper wrist support is worn. Kneepads and elbow pads also offer obvious benefits for a sport that may involve the occasional fall on a hard, rough surface. For them to remain in good performing condition, skates should be serviced periodically and properly maintained. Some accessories for maintaining your skates (figure F) include a skate tool, a water-based citrus cleaner for wheel bearings and a bearings lubricant.
RESOURCES :
International Inline Skating Association (IISA)
105 South 7th St.
Wilmington, NC 28401
Phone: 910-762-7004
fax 910-762-9477
Web site: www.iisa.org
Sonic Sports skate tool
Skate tools available from
Sonic Sports
419 S Hindry Ave #C
Inglewood, CA 90301
Phone: 310-216-4027
Fax: 310-216-4028
Web site:
www.sonicsports.com
Rollerblade inline skates and gear
Rollerblade, Inc.
One Sportsystem Plaza
Bordentown, NJ 08505
Toll-free: 800-283-6647
Web site: www.rollerblade.com
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