Rink Rules 101: First Time Roller Skating Tips

So you’ve watched the TikToks, seen the music videos, and decided to take up roller skating as a hobby. Congratulations, and welcome to the wonderful world of wheels! Roller skating is not just a hobby, not just a sport, not just fun, social, and freeing…It’s all of those things and so much more. Get ready for the rink with these first-time roller skating tips for beginners, and join us for an upcoming public skating session!

Beginner Roller Skating Tips

Dress for success.

Fashion and roller skating go together like peanut butter and jelly, but keep in mind that skating is a physical activity. Wear clothes that are comfortable—not too tight, not too loose, nothing that will trip you or someone else, nothing that you can’t move freely in. 

Besides comfort and range of motion, you might also want to wear safety gear. While it’s not mandatory, wearing elbow pads, knee pads, wrist braces, and a helmet can help you feel more confident while you get the hang of skating. Even experienced skaters sometimes wear pads when learning new moves, so don’t be embarrassed to gear up! If you choose to skate outdoors, you’ll definitely want to wear pads and a helmet, no matter how experienced you are. And last, but definitely not least, don’t forget your socks! You can’t rent roller skates without socks, and for your own comfort you should wear (or bring with you) thick, comfortable socks that come up higher on your ankles. Leave those no-show socks for non-skating days to avoid chafing on your ankles from the skate boots. 

Remember, safety first! 

Speaking of outdoor skating, we recommend getting comfortable on skates indoors, in the safety of the skating rink, before you venture out into the world of sidewalk cracks, sticks, rocks, traffic, and other skating hazards. 

When skating at the skating rink, remember to skate with the flow of traffic. Do not go against the flow or cut across the rink in front of other skaters. Doing so can cause you to injure yourself or other skaters who might have to swerve to avoid you. 

Get this show on the roll. 

You’re dressed, you’re ready, it’s time to skate! Keep these beginner skating tips in mind: 

• Get into position. Your stance should be loose, with your feet shoulder-width apart, and your knees slightly bent, like you’re doing squats at the gym. Your feet should be making a v shape, with your toes pointed out slightly and your heels closer together. 
• Start slowly by walking on your skates like this to get used to the feeling. Once you start to get the hang of it, take longer strides. Work your way up to pushing off with one foot and gliding on the other. Eventually, you’ll find your balance and stride, and you’ll be well on your way to becoming a rink rat!