By the way, we don’t recommend that novices try off-road skates, which have
fat, nubby wheels similar to mountain-bike tires. Skating is dangerous enough;
we can’t see a reason to do it over gravel and tree roots. We do, however, like
skates with wheels that pop off, leaving you with decent walking boots.
Because many buildings ban skates, removable wheels are a nice convenience.
A helmet is as essential for skating as it is for biking. A cycling helmet will
suffice, but you can buy special in-line helmets with more protection at the
rear of the head. Also crucial: wrist guards, knee guards, and elbow guards.
Purchase safety equipment before you buy your skates so you won’t be
tempted to take a quick spin before suiting up.
Skating the right way ........................................................................
Keep your hands in front of your body at all times with your elbows in, your
forearms straight ahead, and your palms down, as if you’re placing your hands
on a table. If you move your hands off center, your body is likely to follow.
Keep your arms as still as possible — don’t pump them back and forth.
Travel in a modified squat position, bending at the knees as if you’re about
to sit down. Keep your weight on your back wheel and push off straight with
your heel. Pull your abdominal muscles inward and don’t round your back.
If you start to lose your balance, crouch lower — don’t stand up straighter. If
you veer off the pavement and onto mud or grass, run on your skates instead
of stopping cold.
Skating tips for rookies .....................................................................
To find out whether skating is the sport for you, take a few lessons. (You can
find an instructor through a skate shop, or call the International In-Line Skating
Association for a referral.) In the meantime, here are some suggestions to get
started:
Practice balancing by walking on the skates on your living-room carpet
or your lawn. Head to a parking lot to practice skating, turning, and
stopping. Stick to bike paths until you’re quite comfortable skating, and
when you do head for the open road, always skate with — not against —
traffic. Remember:You’re responsible for abiding by the same rules as
motorists.
Don’t expect brakes to bring you to a complete halt.The best a novice
can hope to do is slow down. To do this, simultaneously lean forward
from your waist, tilt the braking skate up, and exert pressure on the heel
pad while maintaining your balance. Skip hills until you master stopping,
and always skate slowly enough that you feel as though you could stop
at any time.Chapter 10: Exercising Outdoors 155