Are Quad Skates Becoming Extinct?

rollerderbyPeople 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.

Photo Credits: Marshall Astor – Food Pornographer

Originally posted 2009-10-20 03:07:50. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Blog Traffic Exchange Related Posts
  • rollerskatingRoller Skating Mechanics One of the most popular questions that is asked by people learning how to roller skate has to do with the mechanics involved in roller skating. Many brand new roller skaters find themselves wondering how they can achieve acceleration in a forward motion while they are skating on a surface......
  • rollerbladinginlineskatingHow are Roller Blading and Inline Skating Different? Roller blading is a name that has been applied to the inline skating sport as a result of the large role that the "Rollerblade Company" played in creating popularity out of the inline skating sport. Rollerblade, Inc. was not responsible for inventing, manufacturing or designing the very first inline skates.......
  • skatingThe Types of 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......
  • skatingSurf, Skate, Wakeboard: Gear and Accessories 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,......
  • skateboardingSurf Skate Wake Board - What's Your Passion? 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......
Blog Traffic Exchange Related Websites
  • skiingTop Places to Cross Country Ski in Utah Skiing really isn't about steep, about speed or about quad. All you need is some flat and open space if you have the right equipment and want to enjoy yourself. Still, there are plenty of unique developed areas in Utah that are designed to cater to skaters and cross country......
  • kids-playTips for Parents with Overweight Children If you have a child that is dealing with weight issues and you find yourself nagging him or her to lose weight, then you may not realize that nagging is not the best way to help them lose weight. You can actually run the risk of straining your relationship with......
  • tinySnowboarding Glossary Continued Hucker - This is someone that throws him or herself wildly into and through the air without landing on their feet. Iguana Air - This is what you have when the rear hand is grabbing the toe edge of the board near to the tail of the board. Indy Air......
  • skioerSkiing Lexicon pt 4 Here is a skiing and snowboarding lexicon of terms that will help prepare you for the upcoming skiing and snowboarding season. NASTAR - This is a citizen racing program that has courses at a wide variety of different mountains, and they allow absolutely everyone to participate as well as to......
  • garage-doorSelecting the Best Garage Door Today, we have so many options when it comes to picking a garage door that it can be a bit overwhelming. However, there are a few guidelines and tips you can use to make the selection process a lot easier. Let's take a look at the four main types of......
Online Stores
accidents bearing bearings boarders capabilities different styles elbow pads endeavor fins fish forward direction grip tape helmet helmets inline skates inline skate wheels inline skating knee pads knees maneuverability novice polyurethane rockers rollerblading shape shock absorption single board skateboarding skater smoothness sports surf board surfboard surfboards surfers surfs thick board traction wake board wake boarding water skiing water sport waves wheel wheels