Chester Skateland

2300 Southland Drive | Chester, VA | 804-748-0379
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Incredible Highlights of Roller Skating History

March 30, 2018 by Writers Leave a Comment

roller skatesIt’s hard to imagine life without roller skates. So, it’s a good thing we didn’t live 275 years ago! Roller skates have seen it all – from London performances to opening nights in Chicago – roller skates have an exciting history worth telling.

Check out the highlights of roller skating history:

  • 1743 – Two hundred and seventy-five years ago, roller skates made their debut. It may shock you that it was at a London stage performance, but it’s fitting since acting is all about entertaining the audience.
  • 1760 – Roughly 20 years after the stage performance in London, John Merlin invented in-line roller skates! (He even used metal wheels.)
  • 1857 – Almost 100 years after roller skates made their initial debut, public skating rinks starting popping up in England. They probably didn’t have awesome lights and fun music, but it was a hobby that people loved!
  • 1880 – Americans love having fun, too! We soon joined the roller skating wave, and skates were quickly being mass produced.
  • 1902 – Have you ever seen a crowded skating rink? It probably can’t compare to The Chicago Coliseum’s public skating rink that hosted 7,000 people on opening night!
  • 1916 – Hollywood wanted in on the action so they incorporated skates into the movie The Rink. Since then, roller skates have been seen in many movies such as Whip It, Roll Bounce, ATL, and Xanadu.
  • 1983 – October is officially declared National Roller Skating Month – thanks, President Ronald Reagan!
  • 1993 – Active Break Technology was invented which increased safety in skates. (If you love 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s music as much as we do, join us every Sunday night for Old School Night at Chester Skateland!)

Fortunately, roller skates have evolved exponentially since 1743. And, thousands of roller skating rinks are hosting millions of Americans each year. Don’t miss out on roller skating fun! Check out Chester Skateland’s weekly schedule, and skate with us today.

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Why Skating is a Great After-School Activity for Your Kids

March 20, 2018 by Writers Leave a Comment

schoolThere’s something about spring that makes kids get a little stir-crazy in school. They have extra energy when they get off the bus, and they need an outlet to release all of their excitement. Bring them to Chester Skateland to roller skate after school!

Discover why roller skating is a great after-school activity for your kids:

It Allows Them to “Unplug”

Have you been searching for fun, family activities that don’t require technology? You may be surprised at how many actually exist. From riding bikes to building a fort in the backyard, the options are endless. But, one of the best technology-free activities around is roller skating. You can bring your whole family to the skating rink, rain or shine! We’re open even when Mother Nature tries to rain on your outdoor parade.

Easy on the Wallet

Roller skating is one of the most affordable activities in Chester, Virginia. Bringing them to the rink is much cheaper than taking them to the movie theater or local aquarium. It’s a win-win for everyone involved – your kiddos have fun and you don’t break the bank. If your kid has a rough day at school or you can sense he’s itching to get out of the house, the rink is the place to be.

Provides Great Exercise

Your kids likely have to sit all day at school. So, by the time they get home and sit in front of the television or computer, they haven’t had any exercise. But, if you bring them to the skating rink, they’ll get great exercise! Roller skating is extremely healthy for all participants. It increases heart, brain, and lung health. Your kids will be having so much fun, they won’t even realize they’re exercising.

Check out our schedule, then bring your scholars to Chester Skateland!

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Discover Roller Skating Party Games & Our Party Packages!

February 21, 2018 by Writers Leave a Comment

birthday partyChester Skateland is the best place for birthday parties in Chester, VA! We have three different birthday party packages you can choose from, and there are plenty of games you can play on the rink.

Check out the details:

Ultimate Party Package

If you want to give your child the ultimate birthday party, the Ultimate Party Package is perfect for you! For $185, your whole day is taken care of. Check out the details!

  • 12 guests, $12 for each additional guest, birthday party invitations, free admission and skate rental, ice cream, three soda pitchers, two slices of pizza per child, birthday table set up, free guest pass for the birthday child (for a return visit), one month of free skate lessons for the birthday child, goodie bags, free public admission passes for all guests, and one happy birthday t-shirt

Deluxe Party Package

The Deluxe Party Package is a great package to purchase! For $149, your birthday girl will be the queen of the rink for the whole day. Check out the details!

  • 10 guests, $10 for each additional guest, birthday party invitations, free admission and skate rental, ice cream, two soda pitchers, two slices of pizza per child, birthday table set up, and free guest pass for the birthday child (for a return visit)

Basic Party Package

Don’t let the name fool you – there’s nothing basic about this party package! For $119, your kiddo will love spending the day at the rink with his friends. Check out the details:

  • 10 guests, $10 for each additional guest, free admission and skate rental, one bag of chips and drink per guest, and free guest pass for the birthday child (for a return visit)

Birthday Party Roller Skating Games

What is a birthday party without games!? Fortunately, the roller skating rink is the perfect place for games! (And, it’s one of many places you can take the whole family for a family-friendly outing.) Check out several ideas for great roller skating games:

  • Four corners
  • Freeze skate
  • Freeze tag
  • Limbo
  • Musical skates
  • Relay race
  • Roller tag

Are you ready to book your child’s birthday party at Chester Skateland? Contact us today if you have any questions!

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Celebrate National Roller Skating Month With Us!

October 2, 2017 by Writers Leave a Comment

Celebrate National Roller Skating Month!It’s the best month of the year – National Roller Skating Month! And we’re celebrating all month long. We’re even throwing a Halloween Party: Duel of the Fates on October 27! Just one more thing to love about October. Chester Skateland wants to see all beginners, intermediate, and advanced roller skaters at our skating center in October to celebrate.

Check out our schedule, and come skate with us today!

To welcome in National Roller Skating Month, we want to highlight our specials and services. Come to our skating center for a fun family activity this fall!

Our Specials & Services

We love to dedicate days of the month to specials so you can save! From nights dedicated to playing Christian and Gospel music to afternoons just for homeschoolers, we have plenty of special events just for you. Take a look:

  • The first Monday of the month is Christian Music Night. From 6:30-8:30 pm, you can skate around the rink and listen to the Top 40 Christian Hits. This fun night only costs $5 per person!
  • Every Tuesday is 2 For Tuesdays. While you skate around the rink, you can listen to the Top 40 Hits! This night only costs $2 per person and lasts for two hours (6:30-8:30 pm).
  • The last Wednesday of the month is Home School Skate. If you have a homeschool group, skate with us from 12:30-2:30 pm. Have questions? Contact us today!

Additionally, our skating center is great for private parties, birthday parties, skating lessons, and public sessions! We love having a variety of elements to better serve our amazing roller skaters! Stop by Chester Skateland today.

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You’re Invited to Our Halloween Party: Duel of the Fates!

September 25, 2017 by Writers Leave a Comment

Happy Halloween!October is days away, and we are beyond excited for the festivities to begin. Chester Skateland is throwing a huge Halloween bash, and we want you and your family to attend! Our Halloween party, Duel of the Fates, will take place during Friday’s public session on October 27 from 7:30pm-11pm.

You can find all the information you need on our Facebook page!

Check out all the fun elements of our Halloween party.

Costume Contest

What is a Halloween party without a costume contest?! Come to the party dressed in your favorite costume. (Need some inspiration for your kid’s Halloween costume? Check out these amazing costumes!) Our rink will be rolling with ghosts, princesses, goblins, and more!

DJ & Halloween Music

Our party will have a DJ who plays spooky Halloween music to add to the ambiance of the evening! You and your family will have a blast roller skating and dancing to the tunes.

Storyline-Based Session

We will have people in Halloween costumes dressed up as certain characters. They will be acting out a storyline throughout the night! Add to the fun by challenging your kiddos to guess what characters they are reenacting.

Games & Prizes

Throughout the night, we will have many games and prizes to give away. Kids and adults alike will have a blast competing against each other and winning fun freebies!

Candy, Candy, & More Candy

Trick-or-treating and Halloween go hand and hand with each other, so we want to bring all the candy to our Halloween party! Because is it even a party without candy?

Do you have questions about the event? Feel free to contact us today!

We hope to see you there!

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Don’t Sweat Blisters

May 11, 2017 by TaylorB Leave a Comment

Are you ready to banish skating blisters? We’ve got you covered. Our team has been around the rink more than a few times, and you only have to get a blister once before vowing, “never again!” Don’t sweat blisters this summer. Keep your feet happy with these tips from Chester Skateland.

How to Avoid Skating Blisters

  1. Keep your feet dry. Sweat is a major contributor to causing blisters. That means the harder you skate, the bigger risk you have of developing blisters. If you know you’re gonna go hard at the rink, sprinkle talcum inside your socks. This will reduce friction and help keep your feet dry while you skate.
  2. woman's socksWear good socks. Your favorite glow-in-the-dark socks may look awesome, but those worn places are just begging for blisters. Wear socks that fit well, have good support, and cushion your foot. Choose a synthetic, moisture-wicking sports fabric instead of cotton, which retains moisture.
  3. Bring a spare pair. Are you planning a full Saturday of skating? Bring an extra pair of socks and change into a fresh pair between sessions. If blisters start popping up, double up on socks to give your feet extra protection.
  4. Know your feet. Do you always develop blisters in the same places? Put a blister bandage or moleskin over sensitive places like your heel, the side of your outer toes, and other places where hot spots may form.
  5. Be proactive. If you feel a blister or hot spot, don’t ignore the problem. Strip off your socks and put protective padding (such as a bandage, moleskin, or foam pad) over the area. Make sure it has adhesive so it won’t shift while you skate. Trust us, that would only make things worse!

What’s the #1 secret to avoiding blisters? Wearing properly fitted skates! If rental skates don’t fit you well, invest in your own roller-skates. Skate blister-free all summer at Chester Skateland.

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How to Become a Better Skater

April 20, 2017 by TaylorB 1 Comment

Call us biased, but there’s no family activity in Chester that’s more fun than roller-skating. Skating is awesome exercise, easy to learn, and fun for all ages. It’s affordable, engaging, and indoors, so you don’t have to worry about the weather. And you can even bring your own skates! Are you just learning how to skate? Did you mastered the basics long ago, but you want to try something new? Chester Skateland will help you take your roller-skating skills to the next level.

3 Tips for Becoming a Better Skater

  1. boy catching air on inline skatesTake a class. If you’re serious about this skating business, there’s no better way to improve. At a skating lesson, you get personal tips from the pros. Sign up for beginner, intermediate, or advanced skate lessons at Chester Skateland. You’ll even get free admission to the next session so you can practice.
  2. Balance. Speed, tricks, and maneuverability all depend on having excellent balance. How can you improve your skating balance? Once you have it down with two feet firmly planted, practice skating on one foot. Raise one skate to your ankle. As your balance improves, raise your skate higher and higher. Switch legs and balance on the other side. It’s best to start out near the wall in case you need extra support. If you’re worried about falling, practice stationary balancing drills before hitting the rink.
  3. Whip out your phone. There are plenty of advanced skaters out there sharing tips on how to improve your skating. Sit back and soak up the knowledge! Trying to master a new trick? Have a friend video your moves. You’ll be able to see which parts look great, and which parts need more practice.

Practice makes perfect! Visit Chester Skateland and power up your skating skills.

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5 Rules for Smooth Skating

April 10, 2017 by TaylorB Leave a Comment

Do you know the rules of the rink? We’re not here to put a damper on your good time. In fact, following the rules makes skating even more fun! Why? A few simple skating rules minimizes injuries, keeps things running smoothly, and prevents other skaters from blocking your path (and vice versa). Enjoy the benefits of roller-skating without worrying about tripping over wayward kids. Follow these skating rules for Chester Skateland!

5 Rules for Rink Safety

  1. STOP painted on the groundStay in your lane. Are you a newbie skater? Skate near the wall, where you’ll have something to hold onto for balance. Are you a pro at skating tricks? Stay in the middle where there’s room to get wild. Love speed, but prefer smooth skating? The rest of the rink is for you! Stay in your lane to prevent skating pileups. And remember: always skate in the same direction as the rest of traffic.
  2. Break up the group. It’s fine to skate in groups of two (or even three, if the rink isn’t crowded), but skating four or five abreast isn’t just rude, it’s dangerous.
  3. Go low-tech. What happens when you drop your phone on the skating floor? It trips up another skater, causing injuries and some serious damage to your phone (plus crunched fingers for you, if you’re trying to grab it before it gets damaged). Before rolling onto the rink, leave phones, loose jackets, and anything else you might drop with your shoes in a locker.
  4. No food or drinks on the rink. If you need a refreshment, take a breather by the snack bar.
  5. Pay attention! You may be a pro, but plenty of skaters are just learning a love of skating. Keep an eye out for stray kids and shaky skaters.

Ready to roll? Come to Chester Skateland!

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Valentine’s Day Fun At Chester Skate Center!

January 25, 2017 by gmg Leave a Comment

Tired of the same old Valentine’s date? Dinner out at the same old restaurant? The crowds, the lines and the same heart shaped box of chocolates can be a thing of the past.

valentines day

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, love is in the air. Why not spend the day with the one you love doing something fun, exciting and different then the ‘norm’. Whether it’s your 1st date or your 50th anniversary, grab your partner’s hand and take a spin or a hundred around the skating rink.

Date night just got elevated to new levels of fun. Roller skating is the perfect excuse to hold your sweetheart’s hand all evening long. Smile, laugh and skate your way to a happier you. Which makes for a happier couple.

Worried you don’t have the moves or skills for your big night out? Want to make sure you impress that special someone? Skating is easy, but you can get some help tips by watching this video. You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to relax, smile and have fun.

Roller skating is the perfect date night activity. No being quiet, not talking in a crowded theater. No waiting in a crowded entry for a dinner table. Just great music, rocking tunes, romantic ballads and tons of fun. There’s plenty of hand holding while you chat, laugh and giggle your way around the rink. Plus, you never know, maybe a ‘fall’ or two into each others arms.

This year skip the same old boring routine. Take your date out for the Valentine’s Event they won’t forget. You’ll be skating your way into their heart! We’re in the works for a special event, so check this page or head to our Facebook page for more information!

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  Book a Party!  

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