There are some hobbies and activities that just invoke nostalgia. Getting on a bike brings back memories of riding your bike to and from school or around the neighborhood with friends. Going to a skating rink brings you back to free skate with your friends while filling up on junk food at the snack bar.

For those of you who have never roller skated before, here is your chance to make new memories and learn a fun new hobby. It is never too late to learn how to roller skate.

Why should adults learn to roller skate if they have gone so long without it? First, it’s a ton of fun. Second, it has a ton of health benefits.

Health Benefits of Roller Skating

• Mood Booster
• Improves endurance
• Great cross training
• Improves coordination, balance and agility
• Calorie Burner
• Easy on joints
• Improves heart strength

Have we convinced you yet that roller skating is worth trying? Give it a go! The main thing to remember when learning how to skate is that balance is key.

Things to keep in mind when learning to skate at any age:

• Bend your knees. Place your feet shoulder width apart, bend your knees and slightly squat into it.
• Toes out. Just like skiing, you want to keep your toes facing outwards so that your feet don’t get tangled in each other.
• Keep your arms in front. By keeping your arms out front bent at the elbow, you will keep your gravity low while also maintaining balance.
• Breaking. You will want to get to know the basics like the plow stop and the T stop.
• For a more in-depth look at learning to skate, check out this website.

No matter your age, you can always learn to roller skate. Head down to Rainbow Rink and we would be happy to help in any way. With any questions before arriving, don’t hesitate to contact us. Happy skating!

We may be called Rainbow Roller Rink, but did you know we also have a bouncy playground for kids and a game zone for all ages? If you enjoy challenging yourself and your friends in the game zone, check out these tips on how to get better at arcade games!

How to beat your friends at air hockey

While there’s no substitute for practice, these are some of the best ways to improve your air hockey game. 

• Unless your opponent is really bad at air hockey, just blasting them with straight on shots is not going to work. Angled shots are much better, especially if you can fake them out as to which way you’re going. 
• Aim for speed and power. If you’re taking three times as many shots as your opponent, your odds of getting one in are better. Plus, this is a great way to fluster a player with slower reflexes. 
• Avoid holding the mallet too firmly; you want an agile grip that allows you to channel the power of your wrist and arm through your fingers. Rather than grabbing the middle knob, try placing 2-3 fingers in the groove between the center and the outside edge. This can help you get some real power behind your shots with minimal energy. 

Other arcade game tips

• With shooting games like mini basketball or skee ball, don’t take too long lining up your shots. Instead, try to get in a rhythm! You might be surprised at how well you do when you loosen up and just get in a flow. 
• Crane games, aka claw machines, are challenging, but if you actually manage to nab the item you’re trying for, you’ll feel incredible! However, this is often easier said than done. If you’re looking to maximize your crane game success, go for items close to the hole or at the top of a pile that may be easy to dislodge, or at least knock closer to where you need them to be. 
• If your end goal is to earn tickets for redemption prizes, find the game you’re best at and stick with it while you’re in the groove. Of course, practice makes perfect, so if you’re wondering how to get better at arcade games, the key is repetition. 

Whether you’re in it for the skating, the arcade games or both, visit us at Rainbow Roller Rink in Tonawanda, NY whenever you need a dose of fun! 

It may feel like the peak of summer when you step outside, but there’s another season on the horizon: back-to-school time! Stores are putting out backpacks, folders, and pencils, and kids are starting to realize that they don’t have many lazy days of summer left before North Tonawanda City Schools are back in session. If you’re involved with your child’s school, it’s also time to start planning back-to-school parties! 

Check out these tips for throwing a great school event or class party from your friends at Rainbow Roller Rink. 

Don’t wait until the last minute.

You’ve probably told your kids not to wait until the last minute to work on a project or write a paper. So be a good example and plan your school event early! The sooner you make your reservation, the more likely you’ll be to get your ideal date and time. Plus, having the details finalized earlier means you can send invitations out early, so more families will be able to attend. 

Make space for everyone. 

One of the best things you can do for your back to school party or school fundraiser is to choose a venue and activity that everyone can enjoy – not just the students! Roller skating is a smart option because kids and adults of all ages can enjoy it, as well as the games available in our arcade. We even have a bouncy playground for the little ones, so families with younger kids won’t have to get a babysitter or miss the event. 

Do some good. 

Whether you’re getting your child’s classmates together for a class ice-breaker or planning a school-wide back-to-school party, why not pull double duty and add a fundraiser element? You could encourage families to bring canned goods for a local food bank, or raise money for a school project like new playground equipment. Our fundraiser rebate parties are a fun way to raise money for your organization, and your guests will have a blast! 

Give us a call at 716.693.1100 to discuss your North Tonawanda school event today! 

If you love to skate, it just makes sense to buy your own skates at some point. But with so many options these days, deciding what type of skate to buy can be a bit challenging! Fortunately you’ve come to the right place. Learn which type of roller skate is best for you from our friendly pro shop at Rainbow Roller Rink in North Tonawanda, NY. 

Quads or Inlines? 

The first question you need to answer for yourself is whether you want quad (classic skate style with 4 wheels set 2 side-by-side in the front and back) or inline skates (aka “rollerblades”) in which 4 wheels are set in a line, making them more similar to an ice skate. If you’re new to skating, you may find quads easier to learn on, but if your heart is set on inlines, don’t be afraid to choose those! Ultimately, whether to choose quad or inline skates is up to you and you’re sure to have fun with your new skates no matter what. 

What type of skating are you planning to do? 

Another important factor when choosing roller skates is how you’ll be using them. If you plan to mostly skate outdoors or want to participate in roller hockey or speed skating, you might want to go with inline skates. If you want to participate in roller derby or jam skating, you should choose quad skates. 

What style of boot is right for you? 

If you decide to go with quad skates, your next decision will be whether to opt for a high top or low top boot. A high top gives more ankle stability, which is especially important if you’re interested in artistic skating. However, the most popular skates right now seem to be low top skates. These skates provide more maneuverability and many people like that they feel more like a sneaker. They are also the standard if you plan to jam skate or play roller derby. 

No matter what type of skates you choose, we hope you’ll come visit us at Rainbow Roller Rink for good times, good music, and good skating! Check out our skate catalogs – Riedell and Southeast Skate – and give us a call at  716-693-1100 to place your order. 

Roller skating is known as a fun activity for kids and adults, but what many people don’t know is that there are actually many different activities that all fall under the umbrella of roller skating. Read on to learn about the different forms of skating and find out what type of skating strikes your fancy. You can always improve your skating skills at Rainbow Roller Rink in North Tonawanda! 

• Freestyle skating – Many folks of all ages enjoy freestyle skating, which is what you’ll see at most skating rinks, as well as on neighborhood sidewalks, in parks, and anywhere else suitable for rolling. Check out our schedule to see when to join us for open skating! 
• Jam skating – Have you ever seen a skater or group of skaters performing moves similar to breakdancing? If so, you’ve seen jam skating! This offshoot of freestyle skating grew out of the roller disco days, but has continued to evolve over the years. It now incorporates gymnastics, dance, and skating into one highly entertaining and creative discipline, with competitions in several states pitting jam skaters against each other in “battles” similar to dance battles. If you love to bust a move on the dance floor (or skating rink) jam skating might be the right activity for you! To get started, you’ll want to use low-cut quad speed skates, which afford more flexibility for all the fancy footwork you’ll be doing. 
• Artistic skating – Artistic skating is very similar to figure (ice) skating. There are several areas of artistic skating similar to ice skating, with individual and couples competitions, figures, dance, and synchronized groups. Quad skates are traditionally worn for artistic skating, but some competitors opt for inline skates. 
• Speed skating – This type of skating is just what it sounds like! Speed skating is a sport in which players race each other around a track. The skates used are typically low cut to allow for range of movement. Inline speed skating is most common, but there are competitions for both inline and quad skaters. 
• Aggressive inline skating –  This action sport has more similarities to skateboarding and BMX than most roller skating activities. If you have a daredevil streak, this type of skating is for you! Just remember to wear protective skating gear along with those aggressive inline skates, which feature smaller wheels and other design tweaks to make them sturdier for doing tricks on vert ramps or street obstacles. 
• Roller derby – Roller derby has had a resurgence in recent years, with people all over the country participating in this fast-paced contact sport. Two teams of 5 roller skate counter-clockwise around a track, with a designated player (“the jammer”) attempting to lap the other team’s jammer. 

Need a new pair of skates to get you started in your new roller skating discipline? Check out our pro shop, and be sure to come visit us for skating in a fun and friendly atmosphere!