Always stay vigilant about your surroundings and skate with a friend if you are trying something new that is potentially risky.
Do you believe rollerskating to be one compound word? Lmk!
Trail/neighborhood/city skating
You’ll want to start off using large, gummy wheels with a lower durometer for rolling on rough pavements and crushing road debris. The smaller your wheels, the higher the chance of a rock taking you out.
I use large, 78A gummy wheels for traveling long distances and cruising around. If you’ve skated on rough gravel with hard rink wheels, you know it’s not a very comfortable feeling. Skate upgrades like switching out your stock bushings and wheels for use-specific gear will give you a smoother roll. The larger surface area, tackiness, and added distance from the ground with “trail wheels” will allow you to cruise faster compared to smaller, harder wheels.
Park skating
I recommend owning two pairs of reliable skate park wheels: one hybrid pair for trying out new skate parks, and a high durometer slick pair for when you gain confidence and want to really glide while you drill your moves.
From personal experience, I like to start with a hybrid park wheel that gives me comfort and flexibility as I gauge how much speed I’ll have going down ramps. Wooden versus concrete versus fiberglass covered ramps will give you different speeds depending on the decline and material.
For more advice specific to trying out a new skate park, consider reading Catsup’s New Roller Skate Park Guide.
Hybrid wheels that are around 92A durometer in hardness/rolliness are good for transitioning to smoother, harder wheels (closer to 100A) that will really make you fly.
Rink and indoor skating
The smoother and smaller the wheel, the more control you may have over your edges. A toe or jam plug is recommended for the type of artistic skating that can be seen on rinks and sports courts self-taped videos. The toe stop that offers support and resistance when you need it in park skating, tends to get in the way of smaller skate movements needed for a smooth flow.
Use a helmet and protection as you need it!
Catsup always recommends skating safely. Social norms and fashion may have you second guessing your personal protection. No one really wears a helmet at the rink, but be aware of possible risks you take if you’re practicing your spins at home near pointy furniture. Pads are cool and have saved my butt many times. Aim to fall where you’re cushier and do NOT stick your arms out to prevent your fall. Tuck down if you feel there’s no other direction and try to make your knees impact the ground before the rest of your body.
Is there another type of skate session I may have missed? Or are you looking for more roller skate advice? Contact me to let me know which content you’re looking for.
