One thing that is surprising to most people is the fact that inline skating is something that is very easy to do. It does not matter whether you are 8 or 80, it is never too late to learn how to skate. You can skate for fun, skate in competitions, and more. You only have to have an open mind and a willingness to try. To help you get the confidence that you may need, here are a few tips on learning how to inline skate.
Step One
Before you put your foot into a pair of inline skates, you should prepare for a tumble or two. Anytime you are learning, there is a chance you will fall, especially if you have never had on a pair of roller skates. You should plan for this by having a helmet on as well as other safety gear if you feel it is necessary. You may also choose to skate near a wall or something so that you can grab on if you begin to feel that you may fall.
Step Two
You will have to rediscover your center of gravity. Shoes and even roller skates are designed to spread out your weight. Inline skates have wheels that are all in a straight line. If you tilt a little to one side, you will stumble and fall. You may find it helpful to slightly bend your knees when you first stand up on skates. This will keep your center of gravity a little lower and enable you to catch your balance easier. It is much more effective than simply shifting feet and trying to stumble through.
Step Three
Taking the first steps is often the most difficult challenge. Hold onto something or someone if you can to practice simply walking with rollers under your feet. You may glide or roll a little with each step, but your goal is to practice regaining balance while switching feet in a stepping motion.
After you have mastered the walk, you will want to progress to gliding. This is where you push off a little with one foot and then the next foot. You do not have to attempt to go for speed. You simply want to move forward without feeling the need to wave your arms and land on your backside. Keep practicing this until you do not consistently feel off balance. If you are still stumbling, don’t worry. It will soon become something you do naturally.
Applying Brakes
When skating, you can prevent yourself and others from being injured when you learn how to apply the brakes. On roller skates, the brakes are on the front, so you have to put your toes now. On inline skates, the brake is on the back, so you put your heel down. If possible, you should avoid braking quickly since doing so could damage the skate.
After you have mastered standing, gliding, and braking, you can start practicing other things and maybe even speed up a little. You should always stay alert and do what you can to stay safe. Its not hard to learn how to inline skate, but safety should always be your priority.