Beginning Skaters: Share Your Experiences

[Patinha]

Hello everybody! This is a 27 years old Brazilian girl who reads a lot but doesn't talk or write in english that often, so I hope you can understand what I´m saying

When I was a kid I had inline and quad skates, but I don´t think I had really learned how to skate, so I think sunday´s experience may count as my first day on inline skates lol! I want to learn how to inline skate with the objective of a fitness and recreational activity, going around the city park with my boyfriend at least on weekends (one ride on the trail has 10km/ 6,2 miles). I feel amazed with slalom tricks too, so I´m hoping I can get to do some manouvers in the future. To start my skating story, last sunday I bought a pair of barely used Fila Primo Air Wave (84mm/83A wheels, ABEC 7 bearings, frame in extruded aluminium) and I went to the park.

First thing that happened to me was a great fall on my butt when trying to get out of the car (two great falls, indeed). After my boyfriend aided me on getting up and reaching the trail, it was less difficult than I thought it would be, but still, I wasn´t able to really roll around. I think what kept me from going to the ground was the amount of videos I watched before going out. When I understood the moves a little better, I couldn´t go uphill, what resulted on my boyfriend towing me around and than carrying me on his back to a place designed for skaters to train. Between rough asphalt, smooth asphalt and concrete I practiced for something like 1 and a half hour and I really didn´t fall because I followed Bill Stoppard´s advice of "Staying Low". Still, all the time I was haunted by the feeling that I would fall on my back. Monday I trained a little in a small space at my house and it felt better. I could properly bend my knees and practice pushing to the sides without getting that feeling of falling backwards. Today I will practice a little more, the goal of today´s practice session is to be able to heel brake and do some A frame turns.

The goal for the weekend is to skate some parts of the park trail, including slight uphills and downhills. Lets see if I can do it!

[Steelbreeze]

Hello all. I've done a little- very little- skating in my youth. I'm now 47, and started skateboarding again while walking my dog. I decided to give skating another shot, and ordered a set of Powerslide Metropolis SUV skates. I'm hoping that I'll be able to pick it up fairly quickly- the last time I tried to roller blade, I could barely stand up. I'll be lurking here mostly looking for advice.

[Trixton]

Originally Posted by Patinha

Hello everybody! This is a 27 years old Brazilian girl who reads a lot but doesn't talk or write in english that often, so I hope you can understand what I´m saying

When I was a kid I had inline and quad skates, but I don´t think I had really learned how to skate, so I think sunday´s experience may count as my first day on inline skates lol! I want to learn how to inline skate with the objective of a fitness and recreational activity, going around the city park with my boyfriend at least on weekends (one ride on the trail has 10km/ 6,2 miles). I feel amazed with slalom tricks too, so I´m hoping I can get to do some manouvers in the future. To start my skating story, last sunday I bought a pair of barely used Fila Primo Air Wave (84mm/83A wheels, ABEC 7 bearings, frame in extruded aluminium) and I went to the park.

First thing that happened to me was a great fall on my butt when trying to get out of the car (two great falls, indeed). After my boyfriend aided me on getting up and reaching the trail, it was less difficult than I thought it would be, but still, I wasn´t able to really roll around. I think what kept me from going to the ground was the amount of videos I watched before going out. When I understood the moves a little better, I couldn´t go uphill, what resulted on my boyfriend towing me around and than carrying me on his back to a place designed for skaters to train. Between rough asphalt, smooth asphalt and concrete I practiced for something like 1 and a half hour and I really didn´t fall because I followed Bill Stoppard´s advice of "Staying Low". Still, all the time I was haunted by the feeling that I would fall on my back. Monday I trained a little in a small space at my house and it felt better. I could properly bend my knees and practice pushing to the sides without getting that feeling of falling backwards. Today I will practice a little more, the goal of today´s practice session is to be able to heel brake and do some A frame turns.

The goal for the weekend is to skate some parts of the park trail, including slight uphills and downhills. Lets see if I can do it!

I hope you're wearing all the proper padding so you can learn all these skills in confidence...

Basic protection: helmet, wrist guards, knee guards, elbow guards, padded gloves, padded shorts

Not all of that is required, I'd say wrist and knee guards to start (and padded shorts if you're prone to falling backwards). Helmet if you're unsure of the terrain or if you're trying something new or dynamic (skate park, etc). Padded gloves for abrasion resistance and elbow guards if you want the extra protection.

[Traffic Dancer]

I suppose I can tell ya'll about when I first learned how to skate in (gasp!) 1992.....I don't remember what prompted a 22 year-old Me to get skates in the first place but I bought a pair of TRS Lightnings. I put them on at a local tennis court and got the hang of scooting around and such. It occurred to me after picking up speed that I had no idea how to use the brake. I decided a chain link fence might be a good expedient. I hit the fence and bounced right off and somehow spun around before hitting the ground.

That's when I realized that I had forgotten pads and wrist guards.

I wear them religiously now.

[Little]

Originally Posted by Traffic Dancer

I suppose I can tell ya'll about when I first learned how to skate in (gasp!) 1992.....I don't remember what prompted a 22 year-old Me to get skates in the first place but I bought a pair of TRS Lightnings. I put them on at a local tennis court and got the hang of scooting around and such. It occurred to me after picking up speed that I had no idea how to use the brake. I decided a chain link fence might be a good expedient. I hit the fence and bounced right off and somehow spun around before hitting the ground.

That's when I realized that I had forgotten pads and wrist guards.

I wear them religiously now.

Haha. I'm terrible for not wearing protective gear. I think I've worn them once. They felt all hot and horrible. I know I'll learn my lesson one day and start wearing it.

[Trixton]

Originally Posted by Little

Haha. I'm terrible for not wearing protective gear. I think I've worn them once. They felt all hot and horrible. I know I'll learn my lesson one day and start wearing it.

I like the 187 wrist guards and Rollerblade knee guards because they are low profile and they don't restrict movement like many of the more expensive and better protecting options. They have just the hard plate and straps, which is just enough for some light to moderate impact protection and very good abrasion resistance. If I wear nothing else outdoors, I usually throw these on (the knee pads can even go under some jeans if you don't fall often). You will regret it when you have to take a month off skating due to an injury that could have been prevented through the use of basic protection. I know it sucks to wear them during summer, but try to learn your lesson before you fall. You will fall, it's just a matter of when and how.

[Little]

Originally Posted by Trixton

I like the 187 wrist guards and Rollerblade knee guards because they are low profile and they don't restrict movement like many of the more expensive and better protecting options. They have just the hard plate and straps, which is just enough for some light to moderate impact protection and very good abrasion resistance. If I wear nothing else outdoors, I usually throw these on (the knee pads can even go under some jeans if you don't fall often). You will regret it when you have to take a month off skating due to an injury that could have been prevented through the use of basic protection. I know it sucks to wear them during summer, but try to learn your lesson before you fall. You will fall, it's just a matter of when and how.

Yep. I definatley know this. Glad you Brough up the knee pad thing as they are more so my issue than any of the others. I have skinny little legs and those things are bloody HUGE!! I'm gonna check out the rollerblade knee pads. Thanks fella 👍

[Traffic Dancer]

Originally Posted by Little

Yep. I definatley know this. Glad you Brough up the knee pad thing as they are more so my issue than any of the others. I have skinny little legs and those things are bloody HUGE!! I'm gonna check out the rollerblade knee pads. Thanks fella 👍

Yeah, if I'm gonna wear one piece of protective gear, it's wrist guards.....even if they're all moldy and gross.

[Little]

Originally Posted by Traffic Dancer

Yeah, if I'm gonna wear one piece of protective gear, it's wrist guards.....even if they're all moldy and gross.

I hear ya. I shall force myself lol

[Traffic Dancer]

Originally Posted by Little

I hear ya. I shall force myself lol

I should add that I think mine are so gross that they're starting to breed penicillin.

[Little]

Originally Posted by Traffic Dancer

I should add that I think mine are so gross that they're starting to breed penicillin.

Oh no. That's just nasty. 😂😂😂😂

[Trixton]

Originally Posted by Traffic Dancer

I should add that I think mine are so gross that they're starting to breed penicillin.

LOL skate gear can get nasty real quick. I wash the fabric parts of mine with soap after a hard, hot session and leave them to dry hanging over the bathtub. I still don't put my nose directly on them though

[Little]

Originally Posted by Trixton

LOL skate gear can get nasty real quick. I wash the fabric parts of mine with soap after a hard, hot session and leave them to dry hanging over the bathtub. I still don't put my nose directly on them though

Yeah you guys are really making me wanna wear this stuff. Lol. Man

[Traffic Dancer]

Originally Posted by Little

Yeah you guys are really making me wanna wear this stuff. Lol. Man

Think of it as an avant garde fashion statement with an olfactory twist.

Trixton, I religiously wash my Rec Specs strap after skating but that's because they're up near my eyes (and nose). I may get a second set of pads so I can wear one while the other is drying after washing them.

Yeah, because I need to spend more money on skate stuff right now.....gonna go sell another pint of blood.

[ValerieAnne]

I'm just getting back into it, my skates (Bladerunner Advantage Pro XT) are scheduled to be delivered on Friday, I'm hoping for tomorrow though. I didn't purchase any safety pads though, as I am only planning on wearing them in the house/making sure they fit, etc.. before taking them out. So, I hope I made the right decision on waiting to purchase the protective gear. On a plus on that, if the skates I get don't fit properly (they should though, as I went by measurements), I can return/exchange them for another size and get protective gear at the same time.

I guess one of the reasons, I waited, was because when I skated 18-20 years ago (and the few times at rinks), I never wear protection.. which looking back, is silly of me LOL.

[Joey]

Originally Posted by ValerieAnne

I'm just getting back into it...

First, welcome back! Second, if your phone has GPS capability you may want to try a free membership at Endomondo.com or link them to almost any fitness app you like. This is a great way to stay motivated after the "newness" wears off. Cheers!

[ValerieAnne]

Originally Posted by Joey

First, welcome back! Second, if your phone has GPS capability you may want to try a free membership at Endomondo.com or link them to almost any fitness app you like. This is a great way to stay motivated after the "newness" wears off. Cheers!

Thank you very much. I'm debating on which program to use. It's between Endomondo (I haven't used in awhile, so will use on a few walks to check GPS), MapMyFitness or FitApp.

[Joey]

Originally Posted by ValerieAnne

Thank you very much. I'm debating on which program to use. It's between Endomondo (I haven't used in awhile, so will use on a few walks to check GPS), MapMyFitness or FitApp.

No worries. You can link many of those types of apps so that you use one and it posts your data across several platforms. I have friends who linked to Endo just to make it easily visible to me and they never maintain their Endomondo account at all.

I used to be with Strava. When i moved to Endomondo i linked them so that all of my workouts from Strava would get sucked into Endo. It actually worked for the most part.

Anyway, look forward to your progress. Cheers

[ValerieAnne]

Originally Posted by Joey

No worries. You can link many of those types of apps so that you use one and it posts your data across several platforms. I have friends who linked to Endo just to make it easily visible to me and they never maintain their Endomondo account at all.

I used to be with Strava. When i moved to Endomondo i linked them so that all of my workouts from Strava would get sucked into Endo. It actually worked for the most part.

Anyway, look forward to your progress. Cheers

Thanks so much, redownloaded Endo and did my first workout with it (in 3 or 4 years lol). I stopped using as GPS was hit and miss for me (the same known path could be up to a mile different). I used it today, along with my regular and it was exactly correct today (the known path was 1.25 miles, but I did a "detour" as I got distracted, as only ended up being 0.95 miles. Endo was correct, the others showed 0.5 or 0.78 miles. :/ My skates won't be here til Monday though, so gonna test it out again tomorrow on another short walk and see. So far, so good though =D Now to get protective gear. I'd like thin pads and such, nothing too bulky, esp as it's summer. I think I'll just get knee and wrist pads, unless people think helmets and elbow pads are def needed. I may get a helmet at some point, but for now, as I'm learning/relearning, the path I'll be on (just my street/block) is something I walk all the time, so shouldn't fall and hit my head/fall at all on it.. but you never know, as far as knees go lol

[Joey]

Glad you are considering Endomondo. I've been happy with it. If you get into it you should peruse my friends list. Lots of encouragement from many in that group.

Originally Posted by ValerieAnne

Now to get protective gear. I'd like thin pads and such, nothing too bulky, esp as it's summer. I think I'll just get knee and wrist pads, unless people think helmets and elbow pads are def needed. I may get a helmet at some point, but for now, as I'm learning/relearning, the path I'll be on (just my street/block) is something I walk all the time, so shouldn't fall and hit my head/fall at all on it.. but you never know, as far as knees go lol

Pads are your call. If you want to skate backwards outdoors, helmets and elbow pads are required IMO. Forwards only, knees and hands/wrists are a good idea. Summers in New Orleans are WAY HOT. I just wear full fingered padded bike gloves. Always going to put my hands down in a fall. Pad up until you can relax. That's it.

Hope they fit! Have fun.