Learning how to stop when you are riding inline skates really is not rocket science, and yet there are many novice skaters that actually struggle when it comes to braking simply because they have an intense fear that they are going to fall. This fear often comes from having to take whatever skate you are braking with, tilting it, which makes the skater feel as if he or she is unbalanced and therefore going to be prone to falling down. Braking correctly while wearing inline skates is not something that has to be difficult, and it does not have to be terrifying either. Here is a quick and dirty tutorial on how you can brake using inline skates.
Preparation
When you find that you need to brake, the very first step in the process is going to be for you to prepare yourself by way of falling into a ready position. This position requires for you to position your skates a couple of inches apart, parallel to one another. You are also going to want to bend your knees just slightly, keeping your back as straight as you can. What this is going to do is allow for you to shift your center of gravity slightly lower, reducing the chance that you will fall while completing the next few steps in this process. Additionally, you are going to want to begin to extend your arms just lightly out in front of you. There are two reasons why extending your arms is important. Not only will it keep you from tipping backward, but it will also make it possible for you to catch yourself if you should happen to fall forward.
Brake Skate Moves Forward
Once you have managed to prepare yourself by putting yourself in the position for braking, the next step is going to be for you to move the braking skate in front of you. It is important for you to resist the temptation to lift up your toe on your braking skate during this point because if you do this, then you are going to engage the brake before you are supposed to. If you engage the brake before you are supposed to, then you are not going to have enough leverage and this is going to make it more difficult for you to stop.
The Tilt, The Friction and the Stop
After you position the braking skate in the right place, you are going to want to lift the toe of that skate up. The degree that you tilt the skate at is going to depend on where the brake is positioned. If the brake is positioned high, then you are going to need to tilt the skate more in order to engage a level of friction between the ground and the brake pad. If you are skating using an ABT brake, then this step will not be the same. Rather than tilting your brake so that it meets the ground, you are going to want to apply pressure to your skate’s cuff to engage the brake arm.
People are beginning to wonder if quad roller skates are ever going to become extinct, seeing as most people seem to be preferring inline skates these days. Now that inline skating has become so popular, could it be possible that quad skates are on their way out?
If you explore the history behind inline skating, you will find that the first ever documented instance of inline skate use appeared in the year 1760 in London. The first known inventor for inline roller skates was a man that went by the name of John Joseph Merlin. Quad skates actually evolved much later in order to be an improvement upon the lack of maneuverability that was experienced by the configuration of the inline skate. Inline skates actually ended up moving to the background in roller sports until they eventually ended up re-emerging as a cross training and recreational skating option when the Olson brothers introduced Rollerblades.
Now there are a wide variety of other types of inline skates beyond simply the styles that were recreational and difficult to maneuver with. However, there are still a wide variety of specialized uses that quad skates can be designated for. In recreational skating, speed skating, figure skating and other similar roller skating activities in modern times, both of these types of skates are equally popular, and most sporting activities involving skates are capable of being achieved using either type of skate as long as you have the proper equipment.
Roller rhythm skating and roller figure skating are actually still predominantly being done using quad artistic skates or quad figure skates. There is a growing community of inline figure skating competitors as well, however.
Speed skating often makes use of inline skates, at least for the majority of the most important events that are competitive in nature, however there are still some racers that prefer to use their quad skates.
Outdoor skaters that skate recreationally are typically more comfortable when it comes to using inline style skates. Still, there are some quad skaters that make use of outdoor wheels or special types of quads using oversized frames so that they can skate on smooth surfaces outdoors.
Indoor recreational skaters using a skating rink have been known to use either style of skates in many facilities showing that there is a nice mix of skaters preferring each type of skate over the other.
Jam style skaters and enthusiasts of roller derby skating prefer to use quad skates that are intended for speed.
Roller hockey sports have divisions to suit both inline hockey skates and quad skates as well.
Slalom skaters and aggressive skaters seem to prefer inline skates that sport special frame and wheel configurations for the sports that they participate in.
One question that hockey players and performance skaters often find themselves asking is how they can possibly learn how to skate faster or otherwise improve their performance on the ice. Regardless of how good a particular hockey player is, they are constantly going to try to improve their capabilities on the ice so that they can improve their game. The faster that a skater is, the better they will perform on the ice during a game. Speed is a dominant key when it comes to hockey, and there are definitely a number of ways that speed can be improved. Here are three tips that are going to help you learn how to skate faster in no time at all.
1 – First and foremost, you should be optimizing your stride in order to optimize your speed. Skating is a rather finicky thing if you think about it. A slight imperfection in your stride can make a truly large difference in the results that you achieve. When you skate, you should make sure that you are avoiding short and choppy strides. Only your first couple of strides should be quick and choppy in order to get you up to your top possible speed. Then you should be focusing on achieving long and powerful skating strides. You want to keep the entire length of the skate blade on the ice when you are pushing yourself forward for the best possible results.
2 – Next, you should take care not to move your arms side to side. This is a relatively simple step for you to take, and yet many players do not make a point to keep from doing this and it ends up hurting them. When you swing your arms from one side to the next while you are skating, you are bleeding off your energy in the wrong direction – The direction opposite of where you are attempting to move. This is also going to negatively impact your balance control. When you are skating, you should take care to keep your arms brought in close, and you should work on pumping them back and forth rather than side to side.
3 – You should work on your skating capabilities in the gym just as much as you work on them while on the ice. If you are truly interested in becoming faster when skating, then you need to be working on the process in the gym just as well as on the ice. Fitness is one of the most vitally important factors of playing hockey, and skating is absolutely no exception to the rule. The absolute best thing that you can do when you are working out in the gym is to focus on a hockey specific workout routine capable of targeting the muscles that you need to excel on the ice.
Keep these three tips in mind when you are learning to skate faster and you will surely be able to increase your speed.
Skate boarding and the entire skater culture seems to become more and more popular every year. Twelve-year old girls who’ve never even stood on a skate board suddenly beg their parents for skater shoes. Shoe store employees are then faced with befuddled parents who aren’t quite sure of the differences between a skater shoe and a regular pair of tennis shoes, and without the expert help, probably would have purchased a cool looking pair of sneakers that were as far removed from skater shoes as tap dancing shoes are removed from roller skates.
So what makes skater shoes different than regular shoes?
They’re designed specifically for skateboarding, with their signature flat rubber or polyurethane sole that allows skaters to make better contact with the board and have maximum control while skate boarding. They’re also made wider to allow for more grip. The differences don’t stop there, though.
Some skater shoes have air pockets built into the heel to allow more shock absorption while skating to prevent bruising. Often the shoes are made from suede, and have double and triple stitching so that they stand up to the hard work of skate boarding, particularly trick skate boarding. They have shoelace protectors that keep the laces from hanging loose and possibly causing accidents. They’re cushioned and reinforced especially for the way the feet move and make contact with the board while skate boarding, and to make the shoe more durable. Still, avid skate boarders will wear out a pair of shoes faster than someone who doesn’t skate. The rough grip on top of the board wears at the soles, especially if a skater practices regularly or does lots of tricks.
While you might think you can still wear any old shoe to skate board, consider that all these features that make skater shoes special are there, not only to make you a better skater, but to keep you safer. A skater shoe allows you to grip the board better. You have more control which makes you a better skater, but also keeps you from falling off the board or having accidents as much. Control is key in learning to skate properly and remaining on the board. If you’re wearing a regular tennis shoe, you won’t have that same measure of control and you might find yourself surprised to be on the ground, hurt.
Spend the extra money on well-designed skater shoes. You’ll skate better, and you’ll have less risk of injury. And they’re not as expensive as you probably think they are. You can find excellent skater shoes like Fallen Troopers for $50 to $75 dollars, and skater shoes made by Vans, a company that’s been making skater shoes longer than almost anyone else, will run an average of $60. Globe is another skater shoe manufacturer that makes some of the best skate boarding shoes, also in that price range. A regular pair of shoes could cost that much or more, and with skater shoes you’re getting protection built right in.
Originally posted 2008-12-08 17:24:19. Republished by Blog Post Promoter
For many people, there is nothing that they find to be more exhilarating or exciting then boarding of all types. This can mean surfing, skate boarding, wake boarding and more. For many people it may e the danger that they feel or even the endorphins that they feel coursing through their skin but no matter what the reason it can turn out to be an amazing experience.
Certain individuals feel it is more than simply a hobby, although it is in fact a very popular hobby also. For some it is a career or even a life style. There are some people where simply surfing, skate boarding, wake boarding and other boarding activities is not enough but instead their life has a lot to do with the actions and the feelings that they get from the actions. Some people even chose where they are going to live based on locations that have to do with these types of actions. Some people may want to live near a skate park or others may want to be near the beach so that they would be able to surf or wake board.
For each of these actions, there are materials that are needed. For skate boarding you need to have a skate board and if there are specific tricks you want to do you may also need other parts to be replaced or be made a specific way such as the deck, the sand paper that resides on top of the board or even the wheels that you use of other parts.
With wake boarding you need to not only have your own wake board but you also need to have a boat to pull you and a driver for that boat. Lastly with a surf board you mainly need a board along with the line that attaches you to it so that you do not lose it and of course location. These can cost depending on what you need but the cost is nothing in comparison to the feelings that you get from the actual actions themselves.
For all of these different activities there are different styles such as “lefty” or “righty” and there are also a large amount of amazing tricks that would leave a person watching breathless. Some people enjoy doing these tricks while other people may feel that they are too dangerous but many people enjoy watching them to the point where there are now even professional competitions that are featured on television for people who enjoy watching them to see. Watching these competitions can also be great for people who enjoy the activities because they can learn new stunts and can learn what not to do.
Overall, you are sure to enjoy yourself, or at least learn something new that is also exciting. When doing any of these activities remember to take the proper safety precautions so that no one can get hurt. This can mean ankle straps for surfing or even sun screen or helmets and padding for skateboarding.
The thrill and action of surf boarding, skate boarding and wake boarding takes skill, practice, and receiving a few bumps and bruises. It also requires good equipment, since no amount of skill can make up for a board past its prime. Choosing the right board is a matter of preference, but there are a couple of things to look for that is common enough to worry about.
Skateboarding –
The most important thing in skate boarding, of course, is appropriate padding and helmets. At minimum, a helmet, elbow pads and knee pads.
Once safety is out of the way, the next most important thing is the skate board. We provide access to Alien Workshop, Birdhouse, DarkStar, Enjoi, Volcom, Zephyr, and many more brands. The basic parts of the skate board are the board itself; the trucks, which connect the wheels to the board; and the wheels and bearings, which is what you roll on. The wheels and bearings are important in their function of providing traction with the ground and preventing friction on the axle. Different wheels and bearings will yield differing performances.
The trucks behave in similar manner to the suspension of a car; they allow the wheels to tilt up and down based upon the ground and users weight. Loose trucks will allow the user to steer more easily, but will react poorly with the ground and make balance more difficult. Stiff trucks are easy to balance on, but take more effort to steer with.
The board itself is where many riders get personal. There are an endless variety of board designs, some collectible, but all of them have in common a couple of features. First, there are the spacing between front and rear trucks. This affects the turning and stability of the board. Then there is the grip tape on the top of the board is what helps the rider keep on the board. This itself can host a number of designs.
Wakeboarding –
This sport is similar to water skiing and surfing, where a single board is rode on the wake behind a power boat. The biggest piece of equipment is of course, the wake board. You can find many brands in our store including: Ronix, Hydroslide, Hyperlite, Liquid Force, and OBrien. Its construction involves a buoyant piece of foam, reinforced with resin and fiberglass. Inserted into the board are a number of screws for mounting fins and foot bindings.
The main re-configurability of the board comes from placement of the bindings and fins, and the board geometry. The boards’ length and width can be chosen to make certain maneuvers easier while others will suffer. Then there is the “rocker,” or the bend in the board from head to toe. The main types of rockers are continuous and 3 stage. A 3 stage is similar to a skate board in the distinct bends at two points in the length, while a continuous rocker appears smooth.
When adjusting the location of the bindings and fins, one has to consider balance and control. Both are affected by choices of the binding locations. The fins determine the ability of the wake board to hold onto the wake. There are a number of different kinds of fins that one can install on their board, and each kind will affect the maneuverability of the board and the ability to do tricks.
When it comes to surf boarding, there are just as many variations in a surf board as there are in a wake board. The size and shape of the board is important in terms of maneuverability. There are short, medium “fun-” sized, and long surf boards. The composition of the board is also an important factor. Many boards are now made of foam with either a resin and fiberglass or newer epoxy coating.
Accessories for the board include the fins, which may or may not be interchangeable. The leash is what keeps the surfer and board together. It attaches to the riders ankle and prevents the board from straying too far from the rider in the event of a wipe out. Wax and other materials help the rider to stay on the board. In case of colder waters, the surfer may opt to wear a wetsuit and gear appropriate to not suffer from hypothermia.
Whether your favorite hobby is surfing the biggest waves, skating the most exciting tricks or wake boarding with your friends, having the right equipment and gear really does make all the difference. When you have the right equipment and you know how to use it, that is when you can truly take these exciting activities to a completely new level. The primary concern behind our SurfSkateWakeboard.com website is to provide you with a connection to the absolute finest that surfing, skating and wake boarding have to offer in terms of apparel, equipment and accessories. If you are serious about taking one of these endeavors to the next level, or even two or three, then browsing our shops Surf Shop, Skate Store, and Wakeboarding Equipment is an excellent avenue to pursue. Regardless of whether you are looking for the best swim trunks or the highest quality name brand surf board, professional skates or skate boarding gear or a helmet that fits properly, or a wake board that will give you the best possible wake boarding experience, we know what you need and we can give it to you.
SurfSkateWakeboard.com is designed to connect people who are serious about activity and adventure with the gear and accessories that they need to get things done. We know that you want to perfect the sport you are so passionate about, and that is why we are working so hard to connect you with the gear that you need. We are serious about providing you with top of the line, name brand gear, so if you really are serious about having the best of the best, this is the gear store that you have been looking for.
The core of the wheel is comprised of the hub and the spokes. The bearings and spacers are housed inside the inner hub. The spokes and outer hub are what the polyurethane itself is attached to.
The way the core is designed, and the materials from which the wheel is constructed are what give the wheel its stability. These same two things are also what give the wheel its strength. Aggressive wheels tend to have a solid core, while racing wheels tend to be lightly spoked. Your standard hub is generally called a 608 hub, meaning it takes a standard 608 type bearing.
The Profile
The definition of profile is the wheel’s cross section where the wheel and the ground meet, as viewed head on. This profile is what determines the amount of wheel in contact with the ground while being ridden.
Per industry standards, all inline skate wheels are twenty four millimeters thick. However, it is the variation in your wheel’s footprint that provides your wheel with different functionality. The larger the wheel’s footprint is, the better stability and traction it has.
Selecting Your New Wheels
The hardness of the wheel and the size of the wheel are the two biggest factors, so you have to base the choice you make on these two properties. The core does have a significant influence, but it is more subtle. You will want to make your core and profile choices after you have decided on what hardness and diameter you want.
Choosing a Hardness
The harder your wheel is, the longer it will last, but the less grip it will have, and the more road shock and vibration you will feel. The average recreational skater will use wheels between78A and 82A. These ratings generally provide a good balance of grip and shock absorption. That said, you do not have to use the same amount of hardness for all the wheels on each skate. If for the first set of wheels you do use the same wheels all around, you will likely find that different wheels wear in a different pattern or rate. For instance, my wheels always wore the most under the heel, and graduated evenly up to the toe, which wore the least. The heel also wore flatly, while the toe wheels wore more wedge shaped. To combat this, you can use differing durometers of wheels to even out the wear.
Picking a Size
In general, wheels between 72mm to 80mm are appropriate for recreational or fitness skaters. Lighter skaters will find 72mm appropriate, while mid-weight skaters will generally want 76mm. Heavier skaters will want 80mm or larger. You will also want the larger diameter wheel if you plan to speed skate, are going to be going long distances, or practicing short sprints, something like 84mm or larger will be appropriate.
Just how large a wheel you can use is limited by the design of the skate, so you need to keep that in mind when purchasing your inline skates.
To a lot of people, inline skating is likely seen as something as simple as putting on a pair of inline skates and rolling way. While this is true on a very broad scale, inline skating as a whole is quite a bit more than that. Inline skates come in a few different types, each specialized for the type of skating it is used for. There are 4 different types of inline skate. Those types are: Recreational/Fitness, Hockey, Speed, and Aggressive.
No matter the type of skate, all have 3 main parts: the boot, the frame, and the wheels. Brakes are rare on any skate besides recreational/fitness skates, as they otherwise only serve to get in the way. Some skates that are designed for simulating ice skating will actually have a toe brake, but for skates with a brake, the traditional placement is at the heel.
Now, the first question to ask in regards to inline skates and figuring out which is right for you, is what you will be doing on the skates you buy? If you are a novice, then you should start out on a basic recreational skate, and learn all of the basics of inline skating. If you have already been riding inline skates for awhile, then it comes down to what you want to do.
Recreational Skates
By far the most popular type of skate is the recreational skate. Recreational skates are designed for anyone who simply wishes to put on a pair of skates and roll. They are generally good for use on any urban surface. Pretty much every maker of inline skates will have at least one model of recreational skate, and more than likely, they will have many more. Different skates will have different features and be made from different materials. There are numerous types of enclosure systems, and they will have nearly as many ways to secure them to your feet.
Aggressive Skates
Aggressive skates much more closely resemble inline skates as they were first introduced. They employ a more boot like appearance for overall durability, with reinforced frames. The wheels tend to be smaller and harder for landing tricks. Also, more oft than not, they will have smaller center wheels and grind plates installed, as well as having reinforced boot heels for the various grinds and slides that can be done.
Hockey Skates
Inline hockey skates are pretty much exact replicas of ice hockey skates, but with wheels. The boot design is the same, and the wheel frames are made to be durable, stiff, and light weight.
Speed Skates
If you like going fast, like competition, or even both, then speed skates are for you. Speed skates are built similar to running shoes. Low profile, light, with a slightly raised heel, and sporting 5 wheels on each foot, these things are all about one thing, and that is going fast. It should be noted that speed skating is for those of a high fitness level.
If you have been into inline skating for any decent amount of time, then chances are you have heard the term rockering before. You might even know what rockering is, and this will just be remedial information for you. But if you do not, then this could be quite enlightening for you.
Out of the box, most inline skates are configured in what is known as a “flat setup”. All three, four, or five (child’s skate, standard recreational or short racing skate, and full size racing skate wheel counts, respectively) wheeled skates will have the wheels set at the same height. This is a flat setup, and is an all around good way to start out skating. It is also the standard setup for recreational / fitness skating.
The next main setup is known as a full rocker, or banana / crescent. This involves setting your front and back wheels slight higher than your middle two wheels. This is going to provide the inline skater with great maneuverability, which is good for those who wish to emulate ice skating on dry land. It also provides less stability, so balance can be an issue. Obviously it should go without saying that use of full rockering should be used with great care, and then only by skilled inline skaters. Novice inline skaters will likely find them selves unable to control their direction very well, and will also spend large amounts of time on the ground, possibly with skinned palms or knees.
The next type of rocker is called a front rocker. This style of rockering has the lead wheel on each skate set high, with the trailing 3 in their regular placement. This rockering style is generally used by street skaters, and has two main purposes: the high front wheel allows the skate to better go over imperfections in the ground instead of digging in and stopping, while the remaining 3 flat wheels still provide you with a decent flat profile for pushing power, so that good speed can be kept.
Another type of front rocker setup is one sometimes used by inline hockey skaters, and involves the rockering of the rear 2 wheels, and using smaller wheels for the front two. This makes it resemble a flat setup, sine all 4 wheels are in fact touching the ground. It is purported that this setup provides better maneuvering in corners while still giving the speed of larger wheels when going straight, but this is debatable.
Lastly is the anti-rocker setup. This is the reverse of standard rockering, in that your front and back wheels will be on the ground, while your middle two will not. This, coupled with devices called “grind plates” facilitate ease of sliding along hand railings, curbs, benches, and other surfaces on which an aggressive, or trick skater may wish to grind. The means by which this rocker is accomplished can be done in one of two ways: use small wheels for the two center wheels, or raise the center two wheels. The use of small wheels is the most prevalent means.
When it comes to inline skates, the wheels you choose to ride on could quite possibly have the biggest impact on how well you skate. Inline skate wheels come in many different shapes, sizes, and materials (or composition). Different wheels are made for different skating styles, so picking the proper set of wheels is going to prove to be a very important choice.
When you are out shopping for that perfect diamond engagement ring, if you have done your homework your choice of diamond will be based on a set of criteria known as the 4 C’s. Well, buying wheels for your inline skates also has its four basic criteria to be considered: your body weight, your skating level (novice, intermediate, advanced, pro), your skating style, and lastly, your comfort zone in regards to speed. There are 4 properties, those being size, profile, core, and hardness. These are all equally important, since they all have a direct bearing on your choice of wheels.
First up, we will go over the hardness, or durometer, of the wheel. The higher the durometer is, the higher the hardness of the wheel. Harder wheels will last much longer, but they will also transmit much more of the bumps and shocks of the ground to your foot and knees. In general, you will be able to find wheels in the range of 74A which is the softest, up to 88A, which is quite hard. The A denotes the durometer scale. The average recreational skater will be interested in wheels in the range of 78A to 82A, since these wheels provide a fairly decent compromise between grip and smoothness or roll.
In general, you will want harder wheels for skating on smooth surfaces like skating rinks or smooth concrete, if you are a heavier skater, or you value your wheels lasting longer over comfort of ride. In contrast, a lower durometer wheel will be wanted if you will be riding on streets and other rough surfaces a lot, area lighter rider, desire better shock absorption or just want better traction overall.
Next up is wheel size. Larger wheels will allow you to skate faster since they will provide less rolling resistance. Sadly, as you get larger, stability goes down, and requires the skater to be of higher ability to make good use of them. Smaller wheels will have lower top speed, but will provide for a much more stable ride. Aggressive skaters will generally go for smaller wheels for stability, because speed is not quite as much of an issue, whereas speed skaters will use the much larger diameter wheels for the decreased rolling resistance. Recreational skaters will generally find themselves with a choice of wheels between 72mm and 80mm. Be sure to check the users manual for your particular skates, because different models will have limits to the minimum and maximum wheel sizes they accommodate.
There will be more about wheels next time. Trust us, there is plenty to be said!
Learning how to stop when you are riding inline skates really is not rocket science, and yet there are many novice skaters that actually struggle when it comes to braking simply because they have an intense fear that they are going to fall. This fear often comes from having to take whatever skate you are braking with, tilting it, which makes the skater feel as if he or she is unbalanced and therefore going to be prone to falling down. Braking correctly while wearing inline skates is not something that has to be difficult, and it does not have to be terrifying either. Here is a quick and dirty tutorial on how you can brake using inline skates.
People are beginning to wonder if quad roller skates are ever going to become extinct, seeing as most people seem to be preferring inline skates these days. Now that inline skating has become so popular, could it be possible that quad skates are on their way out?
One question that hockey players and performance skaters often find themselves asking is how they can possibly learn how to skate faster or otherwise improve their performance on the ice. Regardless of how good a particular hockey player is, they are constantly going to try to improve their capabilities on the ice so that they can improve their game. The faster that a skater is, the better they will perform on the ice during a game. Speed is a dominant key when it comes to hockey, and there are definitely a number of ways that speed can be improved. Here are three tips that are going to help you learn how to skate faster in no time at all.
For many people, there is nothing that they find to be more exhilarating or exciting then boarding of all types. This can mean surfing, skate boarding, wake boarding and more. For many people it may e the danger that they feel or even the endorphins that they feel coursing through their skin but no matter what the reason it can turn out to be an amazing experience. 
The thrill and action of surf boarding, skate boarding and wake boarding takes skill, practice, and receiving a few bumps and bruises. It also requires good equipment, since no amount of skill can make up for a board past its prime. Choosing the right board is a matter of preference, but there are a couple of things to look for that is common enough to worry about.
To a lot of people, inline skating is likely seen as something as simple as putting on a pair of inline skates and rolling way. While this is true on a very broad scale, inline skating as a whole is quite a bit more than that. Inline skates come in a few different types, each specialized for the type of skating it is used for. There are 4 different 
If you have been into inline skating for any decent amount of time, then chances are you have heard the term rockering before. You might even know what rockering is, and this will just be remedial information for you. But if you do not, then this could be quite enlightening for you.
When it comes to inline skates, the wheels you choose to ride on could quite possibly have the biggest impact on how well you skate.