Roller skating is a fantastic sport. It helps you stay fit, have fun, and acquire a skill that can last a lifetime. Anyone who has skated for the first time can tell you how much fun it is to learn. However, like most sports, it does come with its fair share of risks.
There is a slight to a significant risk of injury while roller skating, especially if you’re a beginner. This article will explain how to skate safely without getting injured. You will also learn how to stop on roller skates, as most skating-related accidents occur when the skater loses control and can’t stop in time.
Five tips for doing roller skating safely
Wear safety gear
When you are learning to roller skate, you should wear protective gear to avoid getting an injury while falling. If you are skating outdoors or speed skating, always wear protective gear such as a helmet, knee and elbow pads, and wrist guards.
However, if you are a beginner, you must still wear them as they can help soften the blow when you inevitably fall (all beginners do). Many skaters even wear padded pants to protect themselves from falling backward.
Learn how to fall
You can sustain fractured bones, joint separations, and head injuries if you fall on the wrong side while on skates. Even when you have protective gear, you are still at risk of falling. It is easiest to surrender to a fall when you feel destabilized by squatting low. If you do this, one of two things will occur: you will either be able to get your balance without falling or fall closer to the floor, which will minimize the impact of the fall.
Start slow
Many beginners try to challenge themselves by starting with speed skating. This can be a huge mistake, especially since speed skating is outdoors. Even while wearing protective gear, you can still get severely injured when skating outdoors.
Therefore, you should start slow and only go outdoors after getting comfortable in your skates.
Learn how to stop
Learning how to stop on roller skates is a crucial step in the sport. If you are falling, losing your balance, or want to take a break, knowing how to stop safely can prevent most injuries. Various techniques can be used to stop your roller skates, such as-
- Toe stop drag- use the built-in toe stops in your roller skates.
- Plow stop- This technique uses a scissors-like movement of the feet, but it might not be suitable for beginners.
Get up and try again
If you fall, your first instinct may be to stand up simply. However, if both your feet are hooked up to wheels, this won’t work. To get back up quickly and easily, kneel on one foot with your other foot behind you. As your bent knee slowly pushes off the ground, use your arms to help you up again into a standing position.
Conclusion
Hopefully, you now know how to roller skate safely. Whether indoors or outdoors, and whether you are a professional or a beginner, you should always wear protective gear.