You can tell by the “No Rollerblades Allowed” signs popping up all over town that it’s the hottest sport on wheels. During the summer about 14 million people will be lacing up ‘blades instead of gym shoes before hitting the pavement. Eat your heart out, Nike!
Because rollerblades, technically called in-line skates, have less surface area (you know, wheels) touching the ground, they’re faster than the rollerskate. (Less friction means more speed.) Because the in-line skate is made entirely of a light rubber called polyurethane, it’s also lighter and less bulky than the rollerskate. Experienced in-line skaters can reach cruising speeds of 30 to 35 miles per hour!
Now that you know what you’re getting into, check out the rest of the routine. Because in-line skating is an outdoor sport, you and your blades share a sidewalk or park path with bikers, joggers and even baby strollers. Get the picture? Given those circumstances, there are bound to be a few near-collisions or accidents. A recent study by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission predicts that this summer 50,000 kids under 15 will end up with serious ‘blading injuries, like broken bones and concussions. You can avoid becoming one of them by taking a few simple precautions.
– Put on protective gear. This is the most important thing you can do before you zoom out the door, according to Pat Maxwell, an expert ‘blader and former coach of the U.S. Olympic short-track speed (ice) skating team. Maxwell is a serious ‘blader who never leaves home without his protective gear, including plastic-coated knee and elbow pads, wrist guards and a hard-shelled, plastic helmet.
“When you hit the ground rollerblading,” he says, “you don’t slide, like you would on ice. Concrete or blacktop doesn’t give.”
Maxwell says pads coated with plastic absorb more impact and “give” with a fall. A helmet that “sticks out on the sides,” he says, protects the face from coming in contact with the pavement.
Some kids use the “I-look-like-a-dork” argument to get out of wearing protective gear. But if you think about it, nobody is the height of cool waving their arms for balance and scooting around on boots with wheels. You’d look goofier with a cast on each arm. Think it doesn’t happen? Think again, says Dr. Joel Press of the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. “I’ve seen guys (without guards) who have broken both wrists in rollerblading accidents.”
– OK, now that you’ve geared up, take a look around. Is there dirt or oil on the ground where you’re skating? How about cars? Are you balanced on top of a steep hill?
These are the questions a defensive ‘blader asks himself or herself before beginning, Maxwell says. Dr. Press agrees: “Be aware of the dangers around you. If you know what they are, you can avoid trouble.”
“People don’t realize that rollerblades are not made for street surfaces or for going down hill” or uphill, says Maxwell, who has done both. “You have no control of the skates when you go downhill. They begin to chatter and bounce.” If it happens to you, he says, “Don’t panic! Try to stay in a straight line until you get to the bottom.”
The reasons for staying out of the street are pretty clear. In a battle with a car, the car wins every time. And talk about “chattering” skates! Street surfaces can shake your teeth loose, says Maxwell.
– If you are just starting out, take lessons or start slowly, practicing starting and braking over and over again, the product safety commission says. “And whatever you do,” adds Maxwell, “don’t buy skates without brakes!”
Now you’re ready to roll. Rollerblading is an awesome workout. It is less strenuous than running, but provides a better aerobic workout. It is also great cross-training for hockey, cross-country running and ice skating. And most of all, once you get rolling, it’s an absolute riot.
