Skating safely with etiquette are the first steps.
Learn a few things BEFORE you strap wheels to your feet.
And learn to skate while learning the rules.
You'll be miles ahead of the game.
Covid-19 and covid variations… skating is a public sport. You will come in contact with other people.
– The rink is its' arena too, not just yours!
Skating is graceful, dynamic and unpredictable.
- It provides phenomenal low impact cardiovascular benefits, besting nearly all others.
- In contrast… hazards exist. Be prepared.
Reserved for kids and beginners. Here you'll find novices, helpers (on foot and off) and helping devices.
The Glide Ring is where most skating is done. Rinks are directional for your safety, control and variation.
This area is reserved for those who are pairs skating, practicing advanced skills or performing tricks.
in outside and main areas is usually counterclockwise. Your DJ will tell you which way to go… creating variety.
are often common in the Middle Ring, so beware, be courteous… and as always don't block others.
really pays off! Pass your knowledge along. Set a good example for others!
so you need to know the rules before you can convey them! Don't say they're doing it too... when you know it's wrong!
Build upon the fundamentals!
Know Yourself… Your Skill Levels… Your Abilities
If you are trying to walk with skates on you'll be fighting the wheels and NOT skating properly.
You need to roll with wheels, not try to walk with them.
Learn the right maneuvers to get started.
Be a solidly graceful skater. Lead the pack.
Learn from the pros and pace yourself reasonably.
Evaluate and apply reasonable limits for yourself and those around you… and behave appropriately.
Skating is a family oriented venue and is social in nature. Respect the space of others.
Don't break the rules... so learn the rules first… then convey them!
Everyone needs to be on the same page.
If one person breaks the rules it doesn't mean everyone can break the rules.
That leads to nothing but pandemonium. Nobody wants to skate through turmoil.
Kids follow suit not knowing any better. - Set a good example!
Three of the most common mistakes beginners make are: 1) traveling in the wrong direction into oncoming traffic, causing unexpected accidents that happen twice as fast and with twice the impact. 2) cutting through traffic at 90 degrees to the direction of travel... to either get off the floor or get to a perimeter... putting themselves in a position to get side swiped. 3) stepping out in front of people or swerving into their line. Most often the people they're cutting off are going faster than them, so they create ongoing hazards for themselves and others.
"Mammas don't let your babies grow up to be" uneducated in the ways of skating etiquette. These guidelines are in place to keep everyone safe.
Knowing what NOT to do is just as important as knowing what to do.
Don't position yourself to get run over!
Use hand gestures when possible. Let people know your intentions.
Awareness of your surroundings is key when skating, driving... or anything else!
Pay Attention…
Don't block others… Don't speed past others…
Don't skate too near or pass too closely to others…
An arm's length is generally too close.
Enter and exit the rink floor giving yourself room to gradually transition into your preferred location.
Skaters ahead can't see you coming up behind them. Likewise, skaters behind others must be ready for anything.
Give everyone room to perform their own magic. Do not alter someone's line.
Whether on the rink floor... or at the rink's edge with legs out… stopped skaters present a danger.
Get up as soon as you can. Protect yourself and others at all times from stoppages and from oncoming traffic.
No cutting people off... No cutting across lanes or weaving... Gaps in traffic allow weaving often enough.
No cutting through skate zones... Go with the flow! There are leagues for specialty skating…. streets, parks, trails.
No skating fast. Save this for practice or better yet take it elsewhere.
There is NO excuse for zooming past children.
Know that there are novices under foot and all skaters including children and high-end skaters must be respected.
Teenagers are larger than children, so they generally represent the greatest threat to all skaters.
From a child's perspective, teenagers are often reckless and considerably larger.
Teenagers quite often do not adequately care about others. Make sure you do not fall into this category.
Adults who skate beyond their limits (trying to be teens again) also pose threats... to themselves and others.
Don't do anything to damage the floor, or dirty the skating surface with things people can trip or slide on.
Hardwood floors are expensive and difficult to repair / replace. Damage to floors diminishes everyone's experience.
No food or drink is allowed anywhere on the skate floor. Don't be that person who ruins things for others.
Teachers choose the training area(s) for the student(s) according to their skill levels.
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Falling with them in your arms is a recipe for a major disaster.
ALWAYS stay to one side of a child, NOT (ahead of) or (behind them). Another recipe for disaster.
Let them use their free arm to control their own balance point… giving them more confidence and a better start.
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Separation is necessary… and it has been noted that… all children and / or newbies (with or without assistive devices) have a designated area for them to practice, which is the outer edge of the rink often delineated by a black line. Only when beginners have progressed to the level of NOT needing the assistance of a device are they permitted on the rink floor (common area). This keeps them safe and keeps everyone else safe from them.
Expert skaters often practice their skating techniques apart from general skating. This area is usually the center region of the skate rink floor. They also have access to the common floor area when open… to show their wares.
On "adult nights" when shuffle skating or jam skating are the preferred skating methods... skaters will group together and revolve around the rinks' outer edges... or for jam skating, weave repeatedly.
Expert level skaters often provide training to beginner and even advanced skaters. They determine where that training takes place – decisions often dictated by traffic conditions, skill levels and topics.
Skate rink etiquette should be known to all and adhered to by everyone. Fiascos just empower the rule breakers to keep breaking the rules. Worse than breaking them in the first place… finding new ways to break them… under the guise of… "they're doing it".
For those of you who want additional skills, now is the time to break down those skills into their base components and show you what you need to know to take the next step... or more accurately... support the next level of advancement.
Many of you will want to jump way ahead… skipping necessary steps... not understanding the natural order of things.
How things build up in a progression. What relies upon what? To build upon a solid foundation you'll need a guide.
How far do people actually get without training?
Unless you find yourself in the top percentile of what we'll call gifted skaters... much like learning to play an instrument... it takes time and practice to acquire proficiency. Most who go without training will never know what they're doing other than the fact that it works for them? They can't tell you why... or know how to convey the skills upon which things are built.
Bad habits are hard to break. Better that you learn the right way from the beginning.
What is the cost of not getting some training? It could be beyond imagining.
Would you like lessons before you or your child get injured and suffer for a lifetime? or...
Would you rather pay the EMT's, hospitals and doctors... and live with the results???
What better insurance could you get than preparing for those inevitable moments?
Know you're going to fall! The question is how?
How not to fall, reduce falls... and how not to get injured falling... are critically important skills.
Like guitar and piano lessons... some skills are worth their weight in gold.
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Rink floor is more open
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