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!
Leave a Reply