Inline Skating Safety: Skating Smarts

1. Get a Good Start: Perhaps the best piece of advice in learning to skate safely is to take a lesson or two on inline skating. Having an expert can help you get off to a good start. Poor technique could result in unnecessary muscle strain and injury. The best bet is to get help so that you know you are skating properly. The chances of enjoying the sport are greater.

 

2.     Learn to fall: It might sound a little silly at first, but there is a good way to fall and a bad way to fall. And reality is this: falling is simply a part of inline skating! Practice falling on soft grass or gym mats. For example, if you are falling forward, practice falling on your knees, which are protected by your knee pads. If you are falling backwards, practice landing on “one cheek” of your rear end in order to protect your tailbone. Something else to think about with regards to falling is the fact that falls are complicated if your hands are carrying something or you are wearing a heavy back pack or satchel. It is advisable not to carry something in your hands and to avoid heavy loads on your back.

 

 

3.     Learn to Stop: One of the inline skates has a braking mechanism called a heel stop. Braking using the heel stop is achieved by bringing the foot with the heel stop forward until it is next to the toe of the other skate. Then, you bend your knee that is in front and slowly lift your toes in an upward manner. There are other stopping methods: one is called the “T-stop”, for example. Rolling into grass is usually effective in slowing down. Use common sense when selecting skating terrains: hilly ones can be very dangerous.

 

4.     Be considerate of others:  In line skaters usually enjoy their sport in the same areas that walkers, joggers and bicyclists enjoy, so be very aware of those around you. Always skate on the right of sidewalks, paths or trails and pass on the left. Make sure there is plenty of space to pass and plenty of time to get around another skater or pedestrian so that you will avoid collisions with on coming cyclists or who ever may be ahead. When passing, be sure to warn those ahead of you with a loud and clear, “Passing on the Left!” 

5.     Be careful in the heat: One of the main reasons inline skaters choose not to wear a helmet is because of concerns of getting too hot. Fortunately, most helmets are made with many ventilation holes. Most experienced skaters don’t think twice about pouring cool water on their heads through the ventilation holes on hot days. Of course, it is essential to drink plenty of water when exercising and to use caution on extremely warm days as you would with any outdoor activity.