Aaquil

Hello

I am after learning to skate any advice would be greatly appreciated. Where to buy (websites etc.) what to buy (not sure if will keep it going and do not want to waste big bucks) how to not kill myself, techniques etc.

Thanks to all in advance.

fitzscoob

Now why would you want to do that?

I havent been in a set of rollerskates since roches were all the rage.

I was about 14 at the time, so thats nearly 14 years ago now.

1 important thing to remember, dont try to rollerskate across an iced over pond, depending on how deep and cold it is its dangerous - but more importantly your skates will rust and your wheels will stop turning

Aaquil

Well there are two things I want to try to do at some point...learn how to skate and ride a motorbike. It also seems fun (well as long as you don't fall!!!)

lpski1

Havent owned any skates for a long time but if i was to buy some it would be Inline skates. I used to do a bit of Ice Hockey back in the day and recently bought myself some 2nd hand skates from ebay £17 bargain, they're alright too. took me a while to get the old moves back but i was soon tearing it up and being told off my the teenage Marshalls on the ice

Some advice.

Start on a flat surface so you dont gain to much speed, always keep your body at a slight lean forward keep your head over your toes, this way if you fall you can stick your hands out and not crack the back of your head open when you stack it. Buy a stack hat and elbow and knee pads, you'll look a twit but until you've picked it up you'll be grateful.

With Inline and Ice Hockey skates you need to glide to gain momentum, so you need to turn your toes out at say about 45-70 degrees and push of whilst at that angle, only use the stoppers to stop, not to start.

HTH's good luck.

Aaquil

Thanks for the advice I will have a look on E bay right now.
Protective gear I don't mind open gushing wounds I do!

EddScott

Chicks did scars

Weren't Bauer skates the ones to have. I had a pair, think they were called turbo or something.

Couldn't skate for toffee but just went out on skates with friends so didn't give myself a choice but to learn.

lpski1

Bauer Turbos were the casual hockey skate 18 years ago made from plastic unlike the Hockey pro skates. Bauer were bought out by Nike who still make similar skates at reasonable prices.

My ebay bargain were CCM tacks

davegtt

You will when someone else skates over your fingers and they decide to depart your hand

Brendan Hughes

Hey Aaquil.

I was "taught" to skate by a mind-numbingly gorgeous Russian girl, in exchange for taekwondo lessons. Unfortunately the fitness programme never did move on to synchronised horizontal jogging, but not for lack of effort on my part.

The skates - I had cheapies, she had Bauers. I couldn't understand why she was so effortless around the park and I was sweating, until I picked up a boot of hers and spun a wheel - it ran for 20-30seconds. I spun a wheel of my boot and it ran for precisely half a second after my finger had left it. This explains why I drifted to a stop BEFORE the bottom of a hill. At least get wheels with decent bearings.

Be aware of falling over backwards, it's nasty on your skull. Lean forwards.

DON'T walk (exchange legs quickly). The best thing you can do is learn to skate on one leg, see how far you can go (2m, 5m), then switch legs, push off and drift on the other leg. It's a balance thing.

At that point I left Russia, so I can't help you further

EDIT - hmm, a vaguely helpful 10 000th post...

lpski1

Pics of her would be good Brendan

Aaquil

Thanks for all the replies guys...Brendan "You are very naughty..." (Quote from 'The Last King of scotland' Scary film).

I thought I would just get some cheapo ones from E bay and if I hate it no big deal or am I asking for trouble?

Brendan Hughes

In short I wouldn't buy any footwear from Ebay, you can't try it to see if it rubs your big toe etc. Get cheapies from a big Tesco if you want (I did), but at least you can try the wheels and the fit.

Aaquil

Thanks for that Brendan I will check out Tesco do they stock them at the moment?

What about the protective gear?

Brendan Hughes

ooh I dunno, I just meant any big hypermarket with a toy/sports section that sells basic Made In China stuff.

Are you in Manc, or am I thinking of someone else? There's a Decathlon in Stockport, I see.

For protective gear, the gloves were great, I never needed knees or elbows.

Aaquil

This is just like a MSN Conversation! Yes I am in Manchester...I was thinking of a helmet and all that over stuff. Didn't know about the gloves!

Brendan Hughes

I got some fingerless gloves with a solid plastic palm that you could just put your hand out and skid along without problem (assuming your wrist/collar bone didn't break, LOL), I think they were alongside the skates when I bought them. Bravely or stupidly I never had a helmet, I think I had faith in my balance. If I'd progressed to more than 6mph I probably would have bought one though

Aaquil

OK cool Brendan thanks for that!

VTR steve

iTrader: (1)

Try PuckStop :: The UK's Best Ice & Inline Hockey Supplier they are in Sheffield and supply ice and inline skates and equipment. Got all my stuff from these guys they really know there stuff. Best advice i can give you about skates is you get what you pay for a cheap set may seem like a good idea but will more than likly cripple you after a while so i would say spend a little more and get some better quility ones

Aaquil

Thanks for that... I will defo look at the website

Aaquil

Anymore tips guys?