How to Use the Restroom With Skates On

I have a funny story to tell. A few months ago, I bought a new pair of skates. I was not quite used to the new wheels on my feet and as I stood up after using toilet, I fell right back down on it! Ouch! Yes, it takes some practice to use "the facilities" with skates on.

Tips For Using the Restroom on Skates:

• If possible, hold on to something as you squat down.
  
• Point your toes together so you don't roll away.
  
• Lean a bit forward as you sit down and get up.
  
• Be aware that you are taller with skates on and that means the toilet is lower!

Further Reading:

• Toilet Skills for Skaters - By Leah McClellan - From Kathie Fry's Skatelog.com

Happy Skating!

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

_{"Toilet Skating" Cartoon by Los Angeles Artist and Quad Roller Skater Michael Lee - Courtesy of Kathie Fry, Skatelog.com}

Basketball on Inline Skates?

Have you ever tried playing basketball with your inline skates on? It's challenging!

Roller basketball is basketball played on inline skates. The sport also can be played on traditional quad roller skates. There are even opportunities to play on roller basketball leagues.

If you are not interested in playing in a roller basketball league, instead, lace up your skates, and just shoot some baskets with your kids. They'll love it and shooting baskets on skates will keep you in great shape.

• Roller Basketball Around the World - From Kathie Fry, Skatelog.com

Happy Skating!

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

_{Basketball on Inline Skates - Photos © Copyright JO ANN Schneider Farris}

In Skating, a Mohawk is NOT a Strange Haircut

Have you ever seen a mohawk haircut? Did you know that a mohawk is also the name of a skating turn? A mohawk is the way a skater turns from forward to backward or backward to forward. And...the mohawk is named after American Indians!

• Why is the Skating Turn "Mohawk" Named After an American Indian Tribe?
  
• Drawing of a Mohawk Turn

Happy Skating!

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

_{Drawing of a Mohawk Turn - Courtesy of Artist Larisa Gendernalik}

What is the International Inline Figure Skating Association?

The International Inline Figure Skating Association's vision is to support coaches and inline figure skaters worldwide. The IIFSA trains and certifies inline figure skating coaches. The association also has an achievement test program for inline figure skaters.

Further Reading:

• About Inline Figure Skating
  
• International Inline Figure Skating Association Official Website
  
  
  

Happy Skating!

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

_{IIFSA Logo - Photo © International Inline Figure Skating Association}

Eddy Matzger - Inline Skating Legend

Inline skating legend Eddy Matzger has won over a hundred races. He climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and the Great Pyramid with his skates on! He gives inline skating workshops all over the world. He even raced a camel with his skates on!

• Eddy Matzger Interview - From The Inline Planet

Happy Skating!

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

_{Inline Skating Legend Eddy Matzger - Photo Copyright © The Inline Planet}

Take Some Inline Skating Lessons

Do you want to learn how to skate or do you wish to improve your inline skating skills? Inline skating lessons can help. Group or private inline skating instruction is usually available in most cities. Inline skating camps are also a fun option.

• Camp Rollerblade
  
• List of Inline Skating Classes, Camps, and Lessons
  
• Find an Inline Skating Instructor - From Kathie Fry, Skatelog.com
  
• Skate School Links - From Inline Skating Resource Center
  

Happy Skating!

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

_{Group Inline Skating Lesson - Public Domain Photo}

Brink! - A Disney Channel Movie About Aggressive Skating

Brink! is a Disney Channel Original Movie. The story is a bit like the classic novel Hans Brinker and the Silver Skates by Mary Mapes Dodge. In the movie, Andy "Brink" Brinker skates for fun, but when he finds out his family has financial worries after his father is in an accident, he decides to skate professionally to make some money by competing in aggressive inline skating.

Some say that Brink! is one of the best movies every made by the Disney Channel. The skating is really fun to watch. The movie also teaches young viewers about the importance of having friends and about honesty. Sadly, this movie is not available on DVD.

• What is Aggressive Skating?
  
• More About the Disney Channel Movie Brink!

Happy Skating!

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

_{Brink!
Disney Channel Promotional Poster}

I Like My New Landrollers!

I now own a pair of Landrollers and I like them. They are fun. They are much easier to use than Rollerblade Coyotes or Trailskates. I'm close to the ground and I don't need to use poles! The boots are quite comfortable and the large wheels make it easy to skate over twigs and cracks in the pavement. Just like most inline skates, my Landrollers didn't move easily over small bricks, wooden bridges, or wet surfaces.

When I skated on them at the park yesterday, there were many comments from the people I met as I skated.

"Where did you get those skates?"

"Neat skates!"

"Those skates look like fun."

"I like your skates!"

"Are those easy to skate in?"

"Did you make those skates?"

Further Reading:

• Have You Heard About Landrollers?
  

Happy Skating!

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

_{Landrollers
Public Domain Image}

Before You Try to Skate Backwards

Before trying to skate backward, it is a good idea to practice walking backward and gliding for a short distance on inline skates. This exercise will help beginning inline skaters become comfortable with the feeling of moving backward on skates.

1. With your skates on, point your toes in and put your toes together.
   
   
   Pretend your toes are "kissing."
   

2. With your skates on, walk backwards.
   
   Take "baby steps." Continue to keep your toes pointing in. Make sure the weight on your feet is over the front part of the skates, but not too far in front.
   
   

3. Now, go to a wall. With your feet parallel, gently push yourself backward so that you roll backwards for a short distance.
   
   
   Do this exercise over and over.
   

4. Now, repeat the "baby step" walking with the toes pointed together and then allow your skates to "rest" and roll backwards for a short distance.
   
   Practice this exercise again and again until you feel comfortable with the feeling of moving backwards on skates.

Tips:

• Bend your knees.
  
• Keep you skates pressed inside slightly.
  

Further Reading:

• How to Skate Backwards - From Kathie Fry, Skatelog.com

Happy Skating!

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

Why Inline Skate?

Have you ever thought about trying inline skating? Why should you inline skate?

Reasons to Inline Skate

1. Skate for Fun
   
2. Skate for Fitness
   
3. Skate to Lose Weight
   
4. Skate to Make Friends
   
5. Skate to Find a Spouse
   
6. Skate to Enjoy the Outdoors
   
7. Skate With Your Dog
   
8. Skate to Play Hockey
   
9. Skate to Build Confidence
   
10. Skate to Try Something New

Happy Skating!

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

_{Inline Skating Outdoors - Photo Copyright © Kathie Fry of SkateLog.com}

Do You Want to Teach Skating?

A few years ago, I received a call from a young man. He wanted to apply for a job as a skating instructor. I asked the young man about his skating background. He explained that he had not skated in awhile and was a bit out of practice, so I set up an appointment with the young man so I could observe his skating abilities. Anyway, the young man showed up for our "interview-appointment" and to my surprise, he didn't know how to skate at all! I suggested to the young man that he first learn how to skate before considering teaching skating.

This is a very amusing story; however, many people believe that just wanting to teach skating or being able to skate better than someone else, qualifies individuals to teach skating. Before you consider becoming a skating instructor, beome an excellent skater and take the time to become a certified inline skating instructor.

• How to Become an Inline Skating Instructor - From Kathie Fry, Skatelog.com

Happy Skating!

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

_{Inline Instructor Liz Miller Giving a Skating Lesson - Photo Copyright © Get Rolling}