Skating is like walking: you have to learn one step at a time. However, it’s also like riding a bike: Once you learn how to roller skate, it’s a skill you’ll have for life. Whether you’re learning to roller skating or you’re an unofficial pro trying to take your skills to the next level, we have the equipment to help you have a blast.
All roller skating rinks are a circular shape and are enclosed. This means you can learn to skate while holding on to the side of the rink. It is best to begin walking in your skates while holding on to the railing. From there, you can begin to glide with help from the side. Once you feel confident enough, let go and roll!
If you’re an intermediate or advanced skater, remember to be considerate of new skaters. Stick to the insides and middle of the rink to practice speed, footwork, or new tricks.
Whether or not you are confident in your ability, we always encourage safety equipment for all skate levels. We have attached a short video for those who have never skated before.
Some things to remember when buying a pair of roller skates:
- Size. You should always try your skates on before buying them, but typically you’ll need your shoe size or the next size up.
- What kind of skating you like. Different styles of skating require different skates and accessories. Do you want to focus on a particular style of skating, or do you want to be able to use your skates for various styles? The answers to these questions will affect which skates you buy.
- Type of wheel. Wheel diameter, hardness, tread, and material all affect your ride, so make sure you do your research on which will work best for you.
- How to lace your skates. If you have a wide forefoot, leave some space in between when lacing. If your skates are feeling too tight, lace up parallel style. If you have high arches, open up the middle. If you have heel slippage, secure the top with double lacing while regularly lacing the rest. If you’re not confident in learning on your own, talk to the pros! We offer skate lessons at Chester and our pros are always available to help.
- Breaking in your new skates. Besides using your new skates, applying heat and leather conditioner will help break in your skates. Also, tightening up your laces and doubling up on socks while breaking in your skates will relieve any pressure.
We hope we’ve helped you with the basics of roller skating and buying your own gear. Check out or schedule and upcoming events to show off your new roller skating skills.
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