4 Different Types of Roller Skating
Not that it ever really went away, but roller skating has seen a huge rekindling of interest recently for a variety of reasons. Not the least important of which is that it's a fun and versatile method of staying active.
There are a lot of images that come to mind when you bring up roller skating. You might imagine someone casual cruising on the beach, dancing along in a skating rink, or maybe you imagine hordes of people smashing against one another.
That's the great thing about roller skating though, there is more than one way to enjoy it.
1. Casual or Exercise Roller Skating
This is probably the one that is gaining the most traction in popularity because it is an activity you can learn and perfect all on your own without having to get too close to any other person.
All you need is a sidewalk and some awesome skates to get rolling. Many people do roller skating challenges when they first start to stay motivated because of how challenging of a learning curve there is.
Luckily, that challenge and the sense of accomplishment you get are what keeps many skaters involved in the activity long after they have accomplished it.
It's also a great way to stay fit since it is estimated that an hour of moderate roller skating can burn more than 300 calories! Plus, you won't even notice how hard you are working when you are having as much fun as you are.
2. Roller Hockey
Everyone knows the notoriously cold sport where you sit in an icebox for the extent of the game as people glide along a huge floor of ice. If the cold isn't for you, there is another way to enjoy hockey -- gliding over some smooth, warm cement on a pair of roller skates.
There are a ton of roller hockey leagues out there for people of all ages, and it's a great way to enjoy one of the most popular sports without the drawback of being stuck in a fridge all day.
Keep in mind your roller skates are likely to take more of a beating when you are playing an aggressive sport in them, so you'll need something a little more rugged and durable. Many roller hockey players opt for in-line skates rather than quads because they can get a little more maneuverability out of them.
3. Dance or Trick Skating
One of the coolest parts about rolling skating is that the roots go deep into roller rink dancing. Since it's been perfected over the decades, there are scores of tricks and dance moves you can find and learn to keep improving.
Some skating rinks still offer dancing nights, where groups of skaters work together to show off their moves, and you can find plenty of roller skaters in skate parks or in city buildings finding new and interesting places to land their favorite trick.
4. Roller Derby
If you think hockey is aggressive, you are going to lose your mind when you realize there is an entire sport dedicated to nothing other than pushing back the opposing team while you are on roller skates.
The technical rules are a little more complicated than that, but that doesn't change just how in your face roller derby can be. There are more than 1,250 amateur leagues worldwide, which means the odds of you being able to find a group to skate with is pretty likely.
As one of the more aggressive methods of roller skating, you'll have to get used to fixing some gear and get yourself some of the necessary tools you'll need to stay competitive.
If you want to get involved with roller skating, but don't want to just cruise around the boardwalk every day, then roller derby might just be the sport for you.
Whatever your level of comfort is, remember: roller skating is more of a medium than a sport. There is more than one way to enjoy roller skating, all you have to do is figure out which one is right for you!
- Outdoors Staff
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