It’s time to be brave. Spread your wings.  Get over it!  In-line skating is here to stay.  It’s one heck of a way to get in shape and have family fun, too.

With the arrival of warm weather, it’s time once again to brush up on favorite sports or even acquire some new skills.  Roller skating and in-line skating are great outdoor activities the whole family can enjoy.  Even a toddler can learn skating skills.
 
Roller skating has been a favorite family activity for years, and its modern cousin, in-line skating, has proven itself more than a fad of the '90s — it's here to stay!  First developed in the Netherlands for land racing, in-line skating was then adapted for summer hockey practice in the United States.  These days children and adults of all ages are enjoying in-line skating for fun and fitness.  In-line hockey has also become a popular sport.

Skating is a low-impact exercise that develops the cardiovascular system, burns fat and increases strength and endurance.  While in-line skates are more maneuverable than traditional roller skates, rollerskating may be easiest for small children to learn.  

EQUIPMENT SKATES: Unlike traditional roller skates, in-line skates have four polyurethane wheels in a row (three wheels on some small skates and five wheels on some racing skates) that are bolted to a rigid frame.  The straight line of the wheels reduces friction, allowing the skater to travel at rapid speeds.

Choosing the proper skate for your child is a must.  Have your child try on the skate while wearing cotton socks.  Her toes should come to the end of the liner.  Have her bend her knees.  The toes should pull back slightly from the front to the back and still be comfortable.

Since children's feet do grow quickly, some boots allow for two different sizes of liner.  Instead of replacing the whole boot, you can just buy the next size liner.  Other skates — such as the X-10 Xtendblade, which fits children's sizes 1 - 4 — are adjustable and fit several shoe sizes.  Choose a boot with vents that allow feet to breathe.  Skates for young children generally fasten over the shoes. Choose skates that:

• Can be expanded as your child's foot grows.  Many kinds are available and generally fit shoe sizes 6 - 12.
• Have adjustable straps securing the skate to the shoes.
• Have a lock to keep wheels from rolling backward when your child is first learning.

HELMET: Your child doesn't necessarily need a helmet made especially for in-line skating if she has a bike helmet that fits well.  The front of the helmet should be less than an inch above the eyebrows to protect the forehead.  The sides should protect the ears and the back should cover the little bump at the base of the skull.  The helmet should fit snugly.

Choose a fabric-covered foam helmet for small children.  These helmets are lightweight and won't strain the neck muscles.  For older children, choose a hard shell helmet which will resist puncture by rocks or other objects.  If the weight of a hard shell helmet is uncomfortable, opt for a lighter microshell helmet.  Be sure to choose a helmet with an easy-to-use snap or buckle.
Children should use the helmet each time they participate in biking, roller blading or in other sports that could cause injury to the head.

PROTECTIVE GEAR: Protective gear is a must for in-line skating.  Broken wrists are the most common injury because skaters often try to break their fall by putting their hands out.  Wrist guards, knee and elbow pads, and a helmet are necessary.  You can buy wrist, knee and elbow guards in a combination pack.

GETTING STARTED

You can help your child learn to skate:

• Let her walk on grass or carpet until she gets the feel of the skates.  Once she is comfortable with this, move to a flat surface such as a tile or linoleum floor.  Take short steps with toes pointed out.  Then proceed to a level area free from sand, pebbles and cracks.
  
  In-line skating is a series of glides.  Your child should start in a crouched position, put her weight on one foot and push off sideways and backward with the other.  Repeat with the opposite foot.
• Have your child take small steps.  Offer encouragement.  Support her if needed.  If she doesn't appear to be ready to skate, put the skates away for a couple of months and try again.  Children as young as 2 years old can learn to skate, but many are not ready at this age.  By the age of 4 a child develops the large motor skills necessary to skate.
• More important than moving is stopping!  Press hard on the brake pad as if you were "crushing a bug."  Because skaters can move at speeds up to 25 miles per hour on flat surfaces and even faster (obviously) downhill, braking should be mastered before you venture out to new areas such as the local bike path.
• Make skating fun!  Praise any effort or success and allow plenty of time for new skill development.  Skate for small periods of time frequently — 10 minutes a day — rather than for a long stretch of time once a week.

 

SAFETY

Be sure to take the proper safety precautions while in-line skating:

• Wear protective gear every time you skate.
• Know the basics of gliding, turning and stopping.
• Stay in control — never travel too fast to stop.
• Keep right; pass on the left.
• Yield to pedestrians.
• Stay on flat surfaces until all skills have been mastered.
• Avoid wet or sandy surfaces.    

Katrina Cassel is a freelance writer.

Where to Skate

Outdoor Skating

Brentwood YMCA Skate Park
8207 Concord Road, Brentwood
373-0215

Rutherford County Family YMCA
Sun Skate Park
205 N. Thompson Lane
895-5995

“Unofficial” Outdoor Skating

Centennial Park
West End and 25th Avenues, Nashville

Metro Center/Fountain Square
Metro Center Boulevard, Nashville

Murfreesboro Greenway
Old Fort Park, Murfreesboro

Percy Warner Park
50 Vaughn Road, Nashville

Riverfront Park
1st Avenue, Downtown Nashville

Shelby Bottoms Greenway
Adjacent to Shelby Park at the end of Shelby Avenue, Nashville

Indoor Skating

Brentwood Skate Center
402 Wilson Pike Circle, Brentwood
373-1827

Hendersonville Skating Rink
750 West Main Street, Hendersonville
824-0630

Mt. Juliet Skate Center
4110 N. Mt. Juliet Rd., Mt. Juliet
754-9313

Rivergate Skate Center
119 Gleaves St., Madison
868-3692

Skate Center of Murfreesboro
849 West College St., Murfreesboro
895-1403

Skate Town of Nashville
410 American Road, Nashville
352-6044

Smyrna Skate Center
1505 Plaza Drive, Smyrna
459-7655

Indoor skate centers rent skates, but you are welcome to bring your own.

Where to Buy Equipment

Many sporting goods retailers sell skating equipment: in-line skates, helmets, pads, wrist guards and so forth, as well as individual skate components (ball bearings, brakes, wheels, etc.).

Academy Sports and Outdoors
1915 Mallory Lane, Cool Springs
771-0184

Cumberland Transit Bicycles
2807-A West End Avenue, Nashville
327-2453

Hibbett Sports
Stones River Mall, Murfreesboro
895-0497

Play It Again Sports
• 155 Mall Circle Drive, Murfreesboro
895-7529
• 5354 Mountain View Road, Nashville (Hickory Hollow)
731-9077
• 1745 Galleria Blvd., Suite 2010, Cool Springs
771-8811

The Sports Authority
• 2305 Gallatin Pike, Madison (RiverGate)
859-8833
• 1620 Service Merchandise Blvd., Brentwood
377-1968