There's a wave of rollerskaters that seems to have invaded Instagram & Tiktok.
They're all over social media with their fancy footwork, fun tunes & colorful looks. They radiate a pure sense of freedom, joy and fun, in the midst of a rather complicated period.
On #rollerskating posts, there's a refreshing mix of humans — one that includes pretty much anyone who wants to join, no matter who they are.
The skating community is diverse, open and welcoming. In times where social interactions have been villainized, and where we're taught to fear each other, it's nice to see some fraternity and togetherness.
Just like dancing, skating is for many a form of self-expression.
You leave your mundane worries when you put on your skates. What matters next is solely to enjoy yourself.
There is no particular goal and there are many ways to skate. You might want to dive into cardio skating, dance skating, learn tricks or prefer the skatepark. Or do a bit of everything. And that's ok !
You're free to experiment as much as you want.
I was around 4/5 when I got them. They were fun but not very practical, let's be honest. Later on, around 8 years old, I started using my mom's inline skates — that's when I really started skating. I used them until I was 16.
It's only recently, after thinking about starting a new hobby that I remembered about skating & realized that a close friend of mine had bought a pair of roller skates a couple of months before.
After a week of pondering & researching, I bought a new pair of skates, but selecting roller skates instead of inline skates this time.
I was so thrilled to start — however, the first time I tried them on, I was extremely surprised because the feelings are quite different on inline VS quads. The center of gravity & overall balance are completely opposed. If you're used to skate with inline, it might take you some time to get used to skating on quads. But don't give up ! Find some tutorials and get used to them.
I recommended that you work on floor moves (stepping, stopping, turning, squatting & falling) before advancing with speed and more complex movements.
First : take time to learn 📚
Check out videos, tutorials, and start getting an understanding of the different aspects of skating.
Once you have a better idea of what kind of skating you want to practice, you can look up what skates would be better suited for it (ex : speed, agility, resistance, weight, wheels, shoe shape etc).
Lastly, you can check out different brands to find skates to buy. If you're on a budget, check out marketplaces & secondhand websites. Be mindful of their state however, especially regarding the wheels, plate & bearings. Safety is key sexy !
Illustration by Roxana Rodriguez
Article by : Camille Blanchod
🌐 Website | 🕊️ Twitter | 💼 Linkedin
🖼️ Gumroad
Photos by Quinton Coetzee and Caleb Russel on Unsplash
Gif by https://giphy.com/wolphgram
Previous Page: My love for SOP, err SUP
Next Page: back to ****The Leisure Issue
