Basic skating tips

[annie]

Ideally, start skating at a young age (between four and six years) as the body is more flexible and lightweight.

Invest in a good quality skating kit, which includes the right size of skateboard shoes and safety gears like helmet, elbow pads and knee pads.

Try to get used to the skating gear and then slowly start skating around on a skateboard; do not rush as balancing on skates requires time and practice.

Skating involves the risk of injury and freak accidents; hence do not push your body beyond a limit.

Enroll in a reputed skating club. You cannot self-learn, as skating involves complex feet and body movements.

Wear ‘fitting’ clothes to avoid tripping over and to avoid hampering of body movements.

As a beginner, choose a thick and heavy deck skateboard with fewer curves as these are easier to control.
Start with quad skating as it is easy to learn and helps to balance well.

Get comfortable with the shape and size of your skateboard and learn some basics like trying to place your feet in varied positions and balancing on the front and rear wheels.

When you gain confidence while standing on a skateboard, try out different stances and decide on the most comfortable stance (skating with the left foot forward or right foot forward are the most comfortable stances).

Always remember to put your weight onto the heels when you turn left or right as this can prevent you from falling down.

Always perform some loosening up exercises like squats, jumps, pushups, etc. before beginning the skating session.

Choose a well-maintained skating rink to practice and avoid slippery and uneven surfaces.

Keep your bodyweight under control and avoid unhealthy food habits.
Most importantly, never miss your skating class as skating involves lot of practice.

Hope our expert tips on skating prove to be useful in helping you become a good skater.

[annie]

Your shoes go through so much everyday, even more when you're a skateboarder. Choosing the right shoe is more a matter of personal style than actual experience, but it can be easy if you know what you're doing.

Decide if you really need skate shoes. If you aren't going to be skating too much, then you don't really need any unless you're just in it for style.

Pick a brand that has been around for a while, most of the time these are the best ones. Emerica, Fallen, Dekline, Duffs, and ES because all of them are good. But if you want the best shoes with the best grip, wear, and flex then you want to get Vans, Adio, Globe, DC, Nike, Circa, Lakai, and DVS. Osiris is great for looks but is not the best for skating

Think about your skateboarding style. If you want to do tricks than you need to pick a tougher shoe, try one with leather sides and possibly some shoelace covering. Try to get one with a thicker sole and durable botttom. This means if you are a girl, you should get some boy shoes. The girl's shoes aren't really as good as the boy's, probably because girls aren't expected to need a high quality shoe. Also, when looking for durable shoes, look for shoes with rubber toe caps, and or triple stitching. meaning three rows of stitching where parts of the shoe are held together.

Don't break your budget. Don't be afraid to buy the cheaper shoe. You don't really need skate shoes if you aren't going to be skating that often. And if you are in it for fashion, any brand that looks cool will work. With skate shoes people dont worry about brand, they worry about style.

If you are worried about wearing out your shoes get a cheap pair for boarding and a nicer pair for fashion. For some people, ruining their shoes is one of their biggest worries.

[annie]

Some shoes have a removable sole, which lets you take out the sole and put your laces under it. You should do this if your shoe has this feature.

If you're comfortable wearing your own shoes, that's fine, but skating will really wear them out.

If you find that your shoes are wearing out way too fast, and you don't have enough money to buy new ones, try using duct tape. Yes, it looks lame, but if you put duct tape on the parts of your shoes that suffer the most abuse (The side and front of your front foot), the lifespan of your shoes will increase greatly.

If you don't want to use duct tape, try shoe goo. it is a type of sealant and glue for your shoes, and is available at most department stores, as well as online skate shops such as ccs.com. it will seal holes on the uppers of the shoes, and will provide a temporary solution for holes in the bottoms. to prolong the life of new shoes, apply a thin layer to the front and outer side of the shoes. super glue also works.

If you know experienced skaters, ask them about their own preferences.

[annie]

• Due to the fact that it contains some noxious chemicals, shoe goo is a controlled substance in some states. be prepared to run into trouble if you go to buy it.

• If you are going to use shoe goo, apply it outside, or in a well ventilated area, and let it dry for 18-24 hours before use.

[annie]

Can your Child Roller Skate If your answer is in the negative, your Child is missing out on one of the most interesting activities he can indulge in for hours on end. Here are just some of the reasons you should invest in a pair of skates for your child.

Skating is easy to learn, all it takes is practice. Most Children pick up skating within a day. Elbow & Knee Pads protect your child against bruises and scratches.

Your child does not need company for roller skating. All he needs are a pair of skates, and the right mood. He can strike out whenever he fancies, and skate Around The Block or around the building compound on his own. If your child is skating in a public place it is best that he is accompanied, for safety purposes.

Exercise

Roller staking is great exercise for your child, so if your child spends a lot of time in front of the television or doing his homework, this is a fun way to get him to move around a little. It also strengthens the legs.

Balance

Teaching your child roller skating inculcates a sense of balance in your child, which will hold him in stead later on. He will be able to pick up other skills that require balance like cycling, skateboarding or rollerblading, faster. This ability increases his confidence, and also opens opportunities for various other sports and activities, making him more sports-minded and athletic.

Extracurricular activity

Roller skating can make for a great extra curricular activity. It is a skill that not every child knows, and this in itself can be a source of confidence for your child. It is also a lot of fun, and most children love roller skating.

Safe

Falling while roller skating is rarely as dangerous as falling while cycling. Make sure your child does not skate in an area where cars are passing. Certain parking lots are safe however; you would be the best judge. If your children roller skate in the parking compound, move the society to install mirrors on corners, so a car will be able to see children skating, cycling or playing around the corner.