Years ago, I was a figure skater. Yes, I could do the jumps and flips and whatnot, and I had a partner for dance (who, as I now understand, is choreographing shows in Las Vegas). Shout out to Amelia.
And still I have my ice skates (for which, I paid a fortune when I was 16 for the boots, and then I had to pay for blades, because that’s the way this sport works).
I love skating, and I do have a pair of Wifas, but ice skating is not always possible. So I’m thinking–why not roller skating?
Maybe try it out with some rented skates first? But as you requested…
It’s been years since I skated and I was never very good in the first place, but the last time I tried, crutches were needed. I almost got up the courage to try again earlier this year at my grandsons birthday party because it looked so fun, but then the other grandma fell on her butt and hit her head and needed to go to the hospital.
A rental is a good idea, though. If you have a local roller rink, go check it out. There’s a non-zero chance you’ll absolutely hate it, and better to find out before you spend a couple hundred bucks on skates.
On a lighter note, if you want to be talked out of it, I present a clip from an old episode of The Honeymooners (“Young at Heart”) in which Ralph wants to relive his youth and takes Alice, Norton, and Trixi rollerskating …
I want a pair of roller skates too, although I never was very good at skating. It was super fun going to the rink with my kids. However, the last time I went, I was flying along when something on the floor absolutely stopped my wheels. I floundered around and went down on my ass so hard I thought I was paralyzed. Fortunately, I was close enough to the edge to drag myself over and sit for a while until I recovered. Later on, I found that most of my butt had turned black! (Also it had a crack in it.) Ask the kids, I showed it to them a lot while it was healing.
The thing on the floor that stopped my skate wheel was a false fingernail someone had dropped. I figured there was no way to guarantee that wasn’t going to happen again, so that was the end of my inglorious roller rink days. Maybe if I make a bajillion dollars someday I’ll build my own private rink and keep it immaculately swept, but barring that, I won’t be putting wheels on my feet again.
Did you ever notice when you go to a public rink, there’s always that one guy, maybe 20 to 30 years old, who skates like a freakin’ Olympian? He’s awesome. I’d love to see you do it, @Spoons!
I think with your experience ice skating, you’ll be much happier with roller blades, aka inline skates. I did some ice skating when I was a teen (nothing serious, but I had fun) and took up blades in my 40s, and found the transition quite simple.
The main difference is that you stop and slow down in a very different fashion. No turning your ankles sideways to skid to a stop! Also, ice is always perfectly level, so you’ll have to get used to dealing with going up, and particularly down grades. Nothing like finding yourself speeding down a hill and not being able to stop! I found it best to start out in and empty, level, and smooth parking lot.
Make sure you get all the safety gear: helmet, knee protectors, and wrist protectors.
My serious suggestion was going to be to echo the idea of trying a rental, as this would determine whether inlines or quads are more comfortable for your style.
Why is this even a question? If skating’s something you enjoy, and you’ve got the money, why the hell wouldn’t you?
Rental’s a good idea. Or maybe a used pair, first? Here in Atlanta, there’s a retail chain called “Play It Again Sports”, that sells second-hand sports equipment - you might have a similar store available. That would be a good way to get an extended test drive on a pair of skates, before dropping a wad on a new pair.
A couple of years ago I guy I work with came in off his weekend with his face sporting bruises and a big scab that looked like a slice of pepperoni sausage affixed to his cheek. Arms bruised as well.
Answering our questions as to what happened, he went roller skating.
Absolutely get some. I’ll echo the others who suggested trying quads and inlines to see which feels more your style.
As for gear - IMO, the most important is a helmet and wrist guards. Go with knee and elbow pads too if you really want to be protected, but I think those are less important. Considering your existing skills, your most likely fall is going to be due to your wheel hitting a rock (or false fingernail ) and you’ll come down on your hands.
You aren’t as likely to hit your head, but the consequences are much worse, so go with the helmet too.
I’d love for you to do it too! Life is too uncertain to not go for the joy when you can.
One caveat about trying it out on rental skates first? Sometimes rental equipment is so worn and crummy that you can’t enjoy it when you would have if you had good quality equipment that was just right for you.
You were used to high quality, well-fitting skates before and to go to lesser equipment isn’t going to be a fair comparison. Order the good skates, try it out. If they or roller-skating is a no go for you, you’ll be able to sell the slightly used skates for not much of a loss.
When you go to the rink the first time, pick a time when it’s not busy, do some stretching before putting on the skates and do some stretching after skating. There are muscles involved that will have opinions about being used again. Start with a short skating time and build up to longer sessions. I imagine having earbuds with music you like would be a good idea to foster rhythm of your skating strokes and to remind you of good memories of your ice-dancing days.
And then come right back here and tell us how much fun it was, preferably with pictures.
I’m another who thinks you should go for it, @Spoons! With your background in skating, it’s almost criminal for you not to.
Just don’t do it how I did.
I was a reasonably good ice skater in my distant youth. Not to your level, but decent. I loved it, and owing to nostalgia in my early 40s, I hoped to recreate the experience with roller blades.
I researched and purchased a very fine set of roller blades, along with helmet, knee and elbow protection.
The day arrived. I strapped everything on, gripped my way along the house to the front of the garage. Took a deep breath and faced down my asphalt driveway with a gentle slope.
Dude, those things are slickery!! They don’t just roll. They ROLL. Two feet into the caper, I realized I had no idea how to stop. Never did figure it out as I picked up speed.
I finally lost my balance just short of shooting into the street like a cartoon. I went down hard on the ol’ tailbone, giving my spine an unpleasant and painful jolt. The helmet, elbow and knee protectors never got a scratch.
I removed the expensive skates, limped painfully back into the house, put them away in a place where they never again saw the light of day and nursed my spine back to health.
) and you’ll come down on your hands.