How early can kids start inline skating?

romekjagoda · May 17th, 2018, 01:50 PM

To all the skating parents out there:
I have not found a relevant thread and was wondering what is your experience, advice, knowledge of current science, etc. on the topic when at the earlierst is it safe, healthy, fun to put kids on skates.
Should it be inlines, quads, or some other sorts - pros and cons.
thanks in advance for sharing.

chuckboucher · May 17th, 2018, 04:54 PM

We have a girl skating for our team that started at age 3. I have seen kids starting even earlier. It depends on their drive and how ready they are. You probably can't put a definitive age out there, because every child is different.

ursle · May 18th, 2018, 02:54 AM

I started ice skating at three, double runner skates, I had absolutely no ankle strength, my ankles, (inside) were on the ice, at five or so I started to get the strength to skate on the blades, single blades at that point, if I were a kid, I’d wish that quads were involved, not in lines, with quads, you just stand, no ankle balance or strength involved, with inlines, well, just like ice skates, you need ankle strength, btw, I played hockey from the first second on skates, I had a stick as the third leg, a major factor to help staying upright.

Please put a helmet on the small one, going to ground happens fast, saving a side head hit to the temple will-would be a life saving event.

romekjagoda · May 18th, 2018, 09:42 AM

Thanks for your replies and stories

My daughter is going to turn 2,5 in June, so obviously I am not putting her on anything right now yet, but I also don't want to discourage her. Quite the opposite. So when I see her wanting to get my skates on when I come back from a workout, I gladly do so and my heart sings.
However, of course I want to avoid being one of the crazy dads who starts preparing his kids for the olympic games since they are 3 and has got the whole plan worked out

I know that starting things too early may discourage the kids and be counterproductive, plus most importantly there are the health considerations and the impact of such sports on e.g. joints, etc. At the same time no one is talking here about doing regular high intensity work-outs 4 times a week, but still it's better to know there are no risks.
I will see, because I have been reading that starting on quads may be the way to go, but at the same time other articles claiming they should go directly on inlines. As with anything these days, confusion all along...

slowsk8 · May 18th, 2018, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by romekjagoda

Thanks for your replies and stories

My daughter is going to turn 2,5 in June, so obviously I am not putting her on anything right now yet, but I also don't want to discourage her. Quite the opposite. So when I see her wanting to get my skates on when I come back from a workout, I gladly do so and my heart sings.
However, of course I want to avoid being one of the crazy dads who starts preparing his kids for the olympic games since they are 3 and has got the whole plan worked out

I know that starting things too early may discourage the kids and be counterproductive, plus most importantly there are the health considerations and the impact of such sports on e.g. joints, etc. At the same time no one is talking here about doing regular high intensity work-outs 4 times a week, but still it's better to know there are no risks.
I will see, because I have been reading that starting on quads may be the way to go, but at the same time other articles claiming they should go directly on inlines. As with anything these days, confusion all along...

Many rink owners I know put skates on the kids at around 18 months, quads, tighten the wheels down so they don't turn to get them used to walking around in them. Then move on from there. Have kids racing on the team as young as 3 so they started sooner.

slowsk8 · May 18th, 2018, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by romekjagoda

Thanks for your replies and stories

I will see, because I have been reading that starting on quads may be the way to go, but at the same time other articles claiming they should go directly on inlines. As with anything these days, confusion all along...

Most start on quads just because it is hard to find inlines small enough.
When old enough to follow instructions inlines are easier for most people to learn if they tighten them properly.

Derrick · May 19th, 2018, 01:16 PM

Had this delema 13 years ago. My youngest was probably 4. I just couldn’t wait any longer. If you can walk you can skate. Of course the first few times there was a lot of back breaking help go be given out. But they became independant quiclky. We started at about once a month and ut became every sunday when they were small.

romekjagoda · May 22nd, 2018, 11:36 AM

Thank you all.
It's reassuring there aren't actually any contraindications to kids starting as early as 2-3. I am amazed to see however, that already 3 year olds race, but if they like to I guess there is no point stopping them.
My daughter is 2,5 now and I think daddy will get her the quads this season to get her started and familiarised with the sensations. So cheers to you for confirming my guts feeling about it.

Oicusk82huh · May 23rd, 2018, 08:02 AM

Since I was an inline skater, I started my son on inlines when he was about 3 years old, but some kids are more agile and ready sooner.

I took the heal break off his skates before he even used them because I believe they are dangerous. They also had adjustable size skates, so he wore them for multiple years.

If you are a quad skater, then start her on quads, because it will be easier for you to teach her. I'm excited for you. First you'll skate with her, then in a few years she'll surpass you! Just wait! Enjoy every single minute of it, it passes in an instant.

ValerieAnne · June 4th, 2018, 02:27 AM

I received my first pair of inline skates at 12 (I believe). They were my mother's old ones/she didn't want to skate anymore, so I got them. Prior to those, I had the cheap quad ones you can buy at major chain stores (Fisher Price, maybe?) when I was between 4-6 or so. Sadly, I didn't stick to it, either time (at 12, I did skate daily, then other things got in the way/became more important).. but depending on if they have experience or not, I can see starting on inline quite young as well.

slowsk8 · June 4th, 2018, 03:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ValerieAnne

I received my first pair of inline skates at 12 (I believe). They were my mother's old ones.

Ha ha, I got my first pair at 48 from my 12 y/o son. LOL

ValerieAnne · June 4th, 2018, 04:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slowsk8

Ha ha, I got my first pair at 48 from my 12 y/o son. LOL

Haha! That's awesome! I wish I wouldn't had let other things/activities get in the way.. if I hadn't I wouldn't be starting over again, at 33. lol!

May 17th, 2018, 01:50 PM	#1
romekjagoda Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Brussels, Belgium Posts: 45	How early can kids start inline skating? To all the skating parents out there: I have not found a relevant thread and was wondering what is your experience, advice, knowledge of current science, etc. on the topic when at the earlierst is it safe, healthy, fun to put kids on skates. Should it be inlines, quads, or some other sorts - pros and cons. thanks in advance for sharing.

May 17th, 2018, 04:54 PM	#2
chuckboucher is skating again. WOOT! Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: South Central, MA Posts: 2,715	We have a girl skating for our team that started at age 3. I have seen kids starting even earlier. It depends on their drive and how ready they are. You probably can't put a definitive age out there, because every child is different. __________________ Indoor Inline: Pinnacle Full Customs \| Simmons SR110 4x110 \| TLTF/Simmons \| NMB Outdoor Inline: Simmons Full Customs \| Simmons SR110 4x110 \| Junk Wheels \| NMB Quads: Reidell 911 \| Roll-Line Mistral \| Corey Super-Ds/JG Hubs \| Bones Swiss

May 19th, 2018, 01:16 PM	#7
Derrick Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Northeastern Indiana Posts: 1,332	Had this delema 13 years ago. My youngest was probably 4. I just couldn’t wait any longer. If you can walk you can skate. Of course the first few times there was a lot of back breaking help go be given out. But they became independant quiclky. We started at about once a month and ut became every sunday when they were small. __________________ - %___O ------ L

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May 18th, 2018, 02:54 AM	#3
ursle Street Skater Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: NH Posts: 1,871	I started ice skating at three, double runner skates, I had absolutely no ankle strength, my ankles, (inside) were on the ice, at five or so I started to get the strength to skate on the blades, single blades at that point, if I were a kid, I’d wish that quads were involved, not in lines, with quads, you just stand, no ankle balance or strength involved, with inlines, well, just like ice skates, you need ankle strength, btw, I played hockey from the first second on skates, I had a stick as the third leg, a major factor to help staying upright. Please put a helmet on the small one, going to ground happens fast, saving a side head hit to the temple will-would be a life saving event.

May 18th, 2018, 09:42 AM	#4
romekjagoda Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Brussels, Belgium Posts: 45	Thanks for your replies and stories My daughter is going to turn 2,5 in June, so obviously I am not putting her on anything right now yet, but I also don't want to discourage her. Quite the opposite. So when I see her wanting to get my skates on when I come back from a workout, I gladly do so and my heart sings. However, of course I want to avoid being one of the crazy dads who starts preparing his kids for the olympic games since they are 3 and has got the whole plan worked out I know that starting things too early may discourage the kids and be counterproductive, plus most importantly there are the health considerations and the impact of such sports on e.g. joints, etc. At the same time no one is talking here about doing regular high intensity work-outs 4 times a week, but still it's better to know there are no risks. I will see, because I have been reading that starting on quads may be the way to go, but at the same time other articles claiming they should go directly on inlines. As with anything these days, confusion all along...

May 22nd, 2018, 11:36 AM	#8
romekjagoda Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: Brussels, Belgium Posts: 45	Thank you all. It's reassuring there aren't actually any contraindications to kids starting as early as 2-3. I am amazed to see however, that already 3 year olds race, but if they like to I guess there is no point stopping them. My daughter is 2,5 now and I think daddy will get her the quads this season to get her started and familiarised with the sensations. So cheers to you for confirming my guts feeling about it.

May 23rd, 2018, 08:02 AM	#9
Oicusk82huh Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Highland NY Posts: 442	Since I was an inline skater, I started my son on inlines when he was about 3 years old, but some kids are more agile and ready sooner. I took the heal break off his skates before he even used them because I believe they are dangerous. They also had adjustable size skates, so he wore them for multiple years. If you are a quad skater, then start her on quads, because it will be easier for you to teach her. I'm excited for you. First you'll skate with her, then in a few years she'll surpass you! Just wait! Enjoy every single minute of it, it passes in an instant.

June 4th, 2018, 02:27 AM	#10
ValerieAnne Member Join Date: Jun 2018 Posts: 31	I received my first pair of inline skates at 12 (I believe). They were my mother's old ones/she didn't want to skate anymore, so I got them. Prior to those, I had the cheap quad ones you can buy at major chain stores (Fisher Price, maybe?) when I was between 4-6 or so. Sadly, I didn't stick to it, either time (at 12, I did skate daily, then other things got in the way/became more important).. but depending on if they have experience or not, I can see starting on inline quite young as well.