Skate in a Staggered Stance

When two feet are on the ground while inline skating, the right skate should be out in front and the left skate should stay behind. This is called a staggered stance. The staggered stance keeps the skater stable and balanced. Also, the skate with the heel brake is in the position it should be in if the skater needs to stop or slow down.

Further Reading:

• Step-by-Step: Inline Skating Tutorial

Happy Skating!

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





_{Staggered Stance - JKS Publishing, Photo Licensed to About.com, Inc.}

An Inline Skating Poem

I stumbled on a very original inline skating poem. The poem's title is "In-Line Skating" and the author is Mary T. Hoffman. What I like about the poem is that the author is a grandmother and inline skating makes her happy!

Have you written a poem about inline skating? Share it in the comment section of this post.

• In-Line Skating - A Poem by Mary T. Hoffman

Happy Skating!

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


_{Inline Skater - Photo by Jamie Squire - Getty Images}

Safeway Supermarket Bans WALKING in Heelys

Recently, I WALKED inside a Safeway supermarket and was told to remove the wheels that are embedded inside my Heelys shoe as I entered the store. I explained that my Heelys are not the kind of Heelys that allow wheels to be removed and only some Heelys have that feature. I explained that Heelys are allowed in many places that don't allow inline skates and I've been shopping for over a year at other Safeways with my Heelys on.

I was told that if I could not remove the wheels from my Heelys, that I would not be able to shop in the store. I was WALKING, not rolling. I'm an adult. I do not believe that I was treated fairly. What are your thoughts? Please share your opinion in the comment section of this post.

Further Reading:

• Heelys are Not Just for Kids

• 
  Heelys

Happy Skating!

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



_{About.com Figure Skating Guide, JO ANN Schneider Farris, Wears the Heelys Rebel Model
Two Wheels are Embedded in Each Shoe
About.com Pricegrabber Shopping Image}

Roller to Ice Skating = Ice to Inline Skating

Roller skaters who are used to skating on traditional quad roller skates have an easy time transitioning to ice, but ice skaters have a terrible time getting used to skating on traditional quad roller skates.

The good news is that ice skaters usually have no trouble with inline skating. So, if you can ice skate, you can inline skate and if you can inline skate, you can ice skate.

My own story is an example of this. I began ice skating as a young child. I tried to take up quad roller skating in my teens. I could do it, but found that the ease of ice skating just didn't transfer to traditional quad roller skates. When Rollerblades came out, I took to them right away. A few years later I found I could do almost everything I could do on the ice on inline skates. I've also seen roller skaters switch to ice with ease and I've seen inline skaters ice skate instantly.

To sum things up, skating is skating and inline skating makes it possible for more people than ever before to enjoy skating on wheels.

Happy Skating!

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


_{Photos of Traditional Quad Roller Skates and Inline Skates, About.com Pricegrabber Shopping Images
Photo of About.com Figure Skating Guide, JO ANN Schneider Farris on Ice Skates, Photo Copyright © JO ANN Schneider Farris}

How to Skate on One Foot

Skating on one foot can be a challenge for new inline skaters. Follow these basic steps:

1. Skate on two feet first.
2. Transfer your weight to the foot you want to skate on.
3. Lift up the other foot for a brief moment and glide on one foot.
4. Put the foot your just lifted up back down and glide on two feet again.
5. Practice the one foot glide over and over again.
6. As you build up confidence, relax and hold the glide for longer periods of time.

Tips:

• Don't raise your arms as you lift up your foot.
• Allow your blade to glide on either an outside or inside edge, not on a flat.
• Put the skate that you lift up at the heel of the other skate.
• Bend the knee you stand on slightly.
• Don't lean backward!

Happy Skating!

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


_{Photo of About.com Figure Skating Guide, JO ANN Schneider Farris Skating on One Foot
Photo Copyright © JO ANN Schneider Farris}

Check Inline Skate Wheels For Wear

It is a good idea to check your inline skate wheels for wear on a regular basis since worn out wheels can affect your skating. Wheels can be rotated so buying new wheels is not always necessary.

Happy Skating!

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

Check Inline Skate Wheels for Wear

It is a good idea to check your inline skate wheels for wear on a regular basis since worn out wheels can affect your skating. Wheels can be rotated, so buying new wheels is not always necessary.

• How to Inspect Your Wheels For Wear

Happy Skating!

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


_{Worn Out Inline Skate Wheels - JKS Publishing, Photo Licensed to About.com, Inc.}