In this blog, JO ANN Schneider Farris, shares tips, tricks, and everything she knows about inline skating.

About JO ANN Schneider Farris

My photo
United States
Jo Ann Schneider Farris has participated in skating for most of her life as a competitor, coach, and author.

About.com Figure Skating Headlines

Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Have You Heard About Landrollers?

Landrollers Landrollers have only two large wheels on each skate. Those who skate in Landrollers say that the skates are more stable than traditional inline skates. One very large wheel is in the back of the skate and a smaller wheel is in front. The size of the wheels make it possible to skate over cracks and bumps with some ease.

Most people who have tried these skates say that the skates are fun, but do not go fast. Some say the boot is too stiff. Others say that once you get used to Landroller skates, much pleasure is in store. I want to try Landrollers!

Further Reading:




JO ANN Schneider Farris Happy Skating!

From JO ANN Schneider Farris - About.com Figure Skating Guide



Landrollers
Public Domain Image

Friday, May 25, 2007

Video of a Wedding on Inline Skates!

Wedding on Skates Video

I heard about a wedding on inline skates! Isn't that romantic? The couple met at an inline skating group lesson. This video, featured on YouTube, shows the bride and groom and some of the wedding party skating away from the church.


Further Reading:




JO ANN Schneider Farris Happy Skating!

From JO ANN Schneider Farris - About.com Figure Skating Guide

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Artistic Inline Figure Skating Video of Nathalie Biedermann

Nathalie Biedermann is an artistic inline figure skater from Switzerland. In this video, she skates on PIC® Skates (inline figure skates) in the Zurich mainstation, a historical building from the 19th century.

This video clip, highlighted on YouTube, shows only a preview of a complete video of Nathalie Biederman's performance. Skatetrix DVDs are available for purchase and download. Skatetrix's videos show inline figure skating, inline speed skating, and others sports in action.

Further Reading:

JO ANN Schneider Farris Happy Skating!

From JO ANN Schneider Farris - About.com Figure Skating Guide



Inline Skating Video of Swiss Roller Skating Champion Nathalie Biedermann
Video Copyright © Eric Maurer of Skatetrix-Visiomatics


Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Inline Skating Marathons

Long Beach Inline MarathonInline skating marathon events take all over the world. Marathons are a great way for skaters to improve at their skating skills. You don't have to be a champion speed skater to participate in an inline skating marathon since the majority of marathon skaters are recreational inline skaters. And.....it's much easier to skate for twenty-six miles than to run for twenty-six miles!







JO ANN Schneider Farris Happy Skating!

From JO ANN Schneider Farris - About.com Figure Skating Guide





Long Beach Inline Marathon - Photo Copyright © Kathie Fry of SkateLog.com

Thursday, May 17, 2007

Skate With Your Dog

Inline Skating With a Dog
If you are a good inline skater, you should be able to skate with your dog. "Dog Skating" is not easy, but dogs and their owners do love it!

"Dog Skating" Tips:



  1. Try to find a place away from cars and traffic when you first practice skating with your dog.
  2. Wear a helmet, wrist guards, and elbow and knee pads.
  3. Be aware that dogs like going fast, so maintain control of the speed you skate and don't allow the dog to pull too hard on the leash.
  4. Make sure the dog knows that you are the boss when you skate and be prepared to fall.


Further Reading:





JO ANN Schneider Farris

Happy Skating!

From JO ANN Schneider Farris - About.com Figure Skating Guide


    Inline Skating With a Dog - Painting Courtesy of Artist Larisa Gendernalik











    Wednesday, May 16, 2007

    Camp Rollerblade

    Camp RollerbladeCamp Rollerblade is a weekend skating camp for children and adults. Programs take place in major cities in the United States. Skaters receive ten hours of professional inline skating instruction over a two-day period. Families can learn to skate together! Instruction is available for beginning inline skaters, but intermediate and advanced beginning instruction is also available.





    JO ANN Schneider Farris Happy Skating!

    From JO ANN Schneider Farris - About.com Figure Skating Guide


    Camp Rollerblade - Public Domain Photo

    Saturday, May 12, 2007

    Stroller Skating?!?!

    Stroller Skating

    Have you always wanted to in-line skate, but it just seemed a bit too scary? Then, why not try STROLLER-SKATING? You'll have a stroller to hang onto! There's all sorts of places and ways to Stroller-Skate. Try a city park with a flat sidewalk or basket ball court. Once you've mastered skating forward on a flat surface, you are ready for more complicated techniques. You can also practice cross-overs, turns, and tricks.

    Stroller-Skating really is a fun way to enjoy in-line skating. It's also a great way for moms or dads to get out with their kids, and new moms will find it a fun and easy way to lose those extra pounds gained during pregnancy. Don't forget the protective gear!



    JO ANN Schneider Farris
    Happy Skating!

    From JO ANN Schneider Farris - About.com Figure Skating Guide




    Stroller Skating - Painting Courtesy of Artist Larisa Gendernalik

    Tuesday, May 8, 2007

    Can You Shoot the Duck?

    Shoot the DuckA shoot the duck is a fun skating move where the skater bends all the way down to the ground and rolls on one foot while kicking the other foot completely forward. I have no idea how this move got its name, but it is very fun. By the way, the real wild and crazy skaters will actually do this going backward.


    To Do a Shoot the Duck:



    1. Bend both knees completely and squat down as far as you can go.

      Move as fast as you can in a straight line.


    2. Place your right hand under your right calf and your left hand on your left knee and stick your right leg forward.

      This isn’t the suicide maneuver you may be picturing, because if you fall, it’s no big deal since you are already almost on the ground!


    3. If you don’t fall, just bring your right leg back down next to your left one and skate in the dip position again and then stand up.

      Wasn’t that fun?

    4. A more difficult way to perform this maneuver is to add the element shown in the photograph above.

      Extend both arms in front of you throughout the move. You’ll be on your way to achieving that "Olympic" look.



    JO ANN Schneider Farris

    Happy Skating!

    From JO ANN Schneider Farris - About.com Figure Skating Guide







    Shoot the Duck - Photo © Marion Ennis Curtis








    Monday, May 7, 2007

    Snow White Artistic Inline Frames

    The Snow White Frame The Snow White Frame is for serious inline figure skaters or for anyone who wishes to do figure skating moves on an in-line skate. I enjoy skating on Snow Whites because I am able to do spins and jumps and the light and short frame makes it possible to do dances on wheels. The Snow White Frame is really for indoor skating, but the manufacturer does also make wheels that are available for skating outdoors.



    JO ANN Schneider Farris

    Happy Skating!

    From JO ANN Schneider Farris - About.com Figure Skating Guide



    The Snow White Frame - Photo © InlineFigure.com




    Sunday, May 6, 2007

    Skate at a Roller Rink

    Roller Rink Skating

    Doing a Spread Eagle - Roller Rink SkatingDo you want to skate, but it's just too cold or too hot outside? Skating inside a roller rink is a great way to spend an afternoon or evening. The weather doesn't have to be bad to skate indoors since skating at a indoor roller rink can be great fun anytime.

    Most public open skate sessions at indoor roller rinks are two hours long. If you don't have your own skates, skate rental is available. Most roller rinks play great music for skaters to skate to and games, such as "The Hokey Pokey," "Red-Light, Green-Light," and "The Limbo" are played at various times during the sessions. Sometimes the rink turns the lights down low and skaters get to skate in the dark while multi-colored lights move around the rink floor. Food is available for purchase. Wearing protective gear is optional at indoor roller rinks.



    JO ANN Schneider Farris

    Happy Skating!

    From JO ANN Schneider Farris - About.com Figure Skating Guide





    Roller Rink Skating - Photos Copyright © Jo Ann Schneider Farris



    Saturday, May 5, 2007

    History of Inline Skating

    About.com Figure Skating Guide, Jo Ann Schneider Farris, Wearing Her First Rollerblades in 1987

    Rollerblades 1987 Close-Up Photo
    Ever since I was a child, I've been fascinated with the idea of skating on wheels, but skating on traditional quad roller skates was not easy for me. I wished that someone would invent a skate that was easier to skate on. As soon as Rollerblades were invented, I bought a pair.......I own one of the original pairs of three-wheeled Rollerblades! For me, Rollerblading was easier than quad skating and I've been hooked ever since.

    Inline skating was originally called "Rollerblading" since Rollerblade, Inc. was the only maker of inline skates at first. Did you know that two ice hockey players invented Rollerblades?

    Further Reading:




    JO ANN Schneider Farris

    Happy Skating!

    From JO ANN Schneider Farris - About.com Figure Skating Guide





    About.com Figure Skating Guide, Jo Ann Schneider Farris, Wearing Her First Rollerblades in 1987 - Rollerblades 1987 Close-Up Photo - Jo Ann Schneider Farris Personal Photos



    Friday, May 4, 2007

    Inline Skating Helped Me Learn to Ride a Bike!

    About.com Figure Skating Guide, Jo Ann Schneider Farris, Inline Skating
    About.com Figure Skating Guide, Jo Ann Schneider Farris, Bike RidingSome people may think that bike riding and inline skating are very different sports, but I don't agree. You see, inline skating helped me learn to ride a bike as an adult.

    When I was a child, I was in a horrible bike accident and did not attempt to ride a bike again.

    About twenty years passed and I took up inline skating. Inline skating gave me alot of confidence and I became quite good at it. Although I could jump and spin on in-line skates, skate quite well on my in-line hockey skates, skate ski, and even do sit spins in ice hockey skates, I still was sure that I could not ride a bike!

    The years continued to pass and I really wanted to ride a bike. I envied all the little kids on my street that rode their bikes up and down the street and I wanted to be able to take a bike ride with my own children. Well, one day, I decided to try riding a bike. I went to Walmart and pulled out a little kid's bicycle and in minutes, I was riding around the store!

    So...inline skating gave me the confidence to try something I thought I could never do again. Thanks to the amazing things that in-line skates can do, I feel I can do anything!

    Do you have a story to tell about how inline skating boosted your confidence or changed your life? Please share your story in the comment section of this post.




    JO ANN Schneider Farris

    Happy Skating!

    From JO ANN Schneider Farris - About.com Figure Skating Guide



    About.com Figure Skating Guide, Jo Ann Schneider Farris, Inline Skating and Bike Riding

    Jo Ann Schneider Farris Personal Photos

    Wednesday, May 2, 2007

    Types of Skating

    Speed skating is one of the many styles of inline skating. There are more than thirty different styles of skating. Some of the most popular forms of inline skating skating include:



    JO ANN Schneider Farris Happy Skating!

    From JO ANN Schneider Farris - About.com Figure Skating Guide





    Speed Skating is One Style of Inline Skating

    Photo Copyright © Kathie Fry of SkateLog.com


    Tuesday, May 1, 2007

    How Often Do You Skate?

    Former About.com Inline Skating Guide, Kathie Fry, Skates All the TimeThere seems to be all sorts of of inline skaters. Many people eat, sleep, and skate every day! Some people skate every day before or after work. Others skate once or twice a week and some people only have a chance to skate once in awhile.

    How often do you skate?



    JO ANN Schneider Farris

    Happy Skating!

    From JO ANN Schneider Farris - About.com Figure Skating Guide



    Former About.com Inline Skating Guide, Kathie Fry, Skates All the Time

    Photo Copyright © Kathie Fry of SkateLog.com