| When I started out skating all those years ago a friend | | | | (the term scissor in skating means to put one leg in |
| told me that learning to skate on roller blades was like | | | | front of the other to create a stable stance with your |
| learning to ride a bicycle. However looking back at my | | | | legs slightly apart, for braking you should always put |
| own learning curve I now have to disagree. Learning to | | | | the skate with the healbrake in front). |
| inline skate for me was a more complicated affair. | | | | Step2, with the weight over the back leg, the skater |
| Riding a bicycle requires balance and road awareness. | | | | should now engage the healbrake by simply lifting the |
| There isn't really much more to riding a bike than | | | | front of the healbrake-foot up until they hear the brake |
| pushing the peddles round, using the breaks, switching | | | | scraping along the floor. |
| gears and turning the handle bars to steer. Don't get | | | | Step3, the skater now applies gradual force to the |
| me wrong, riding a bicycle isn't always that easy, but | | | | healbrake (moving the weight slowly into the |
| for me learning to ride a bike was a whole lot easier | | | | healbrake) until they come to a complete stop, putting |
| than learning to rollerskate. My 6 year old son taught | | | | their arms out in front of them for stability if required. |
| himself to ride a bike in less than an hour after I | | | | So there you have it. Learning to rollerskate is easier |
| removed his stabilisers, but learning to rollerskate at a | | | | when you break the moves down into simple steps. |
| basic level (start, stop and turn) took him weeks. | | | | Once you've mastered the basic moves the other |
| I like to think that learning to inline skate is like training to | | | | more advanced moves will be easier to understand |
| dance without any natural rhythm. First you've got to | | | | and learn. As you get better you'll develop your own |
| learn about the footwork, where should your feet be | | | | unique skating style and may even invent your own |
| when standing still (at the bottom of your legs? ha!), | | | | skating moves or techniques, but for now concentrate |
| where do you put your weight when applying the heel | | | | on the basics and ask your instructor (if you decide to |
| brake and where should you position your feet, upper | | | | take lessons) to break each move down for you. |
| body and weight (All at the same time) when turning | | | | Most people don't take up skating because they find |
| for example. All this requires some level of | | | | the learning process lengthy, painful and ultimately not |
| coordination, shifting your body weight over one leg | | | | that much fun. Using excuses like, "I'm not fit enough" , |
| while positioning your feet in the right place can be a | | | | "skating is for kids", "I've got week ankles", "skating is |
| real headache for the first time skater. But if you | | | | dangerous" or my favourite, "I'm to old" are not good |
| break the moves down into smaller steps (just like a | | | | enough in my eyes. Skating is NOT difficult if you get |
| dance step) you will find the learning experience more | | | | the right type of training, invest in some good quality |
| enjoyable and easier to digest. | | | | roller skates and get some lessons from an |
| Let's take the healbrake stop for example: | | | | experienced skater who knows how to break the |
| Step1, the skater needs to get into the scissor position | | | | basics down for you. |