It’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.

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. Wear 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.

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. Take 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.

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. Stay 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!