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

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