Think how cool it will literally be when you slide down the local ice rink on a hot summer day! It will be easier than you think. Here are 7 tips to get you on the ice.
- Equipment: Forget jeans: they may seem like a good choice to protect you during a fall and keep you warm, but they’re a poor choice. You don’t want a stiff fabric that will restrict your movements in any way. Opt for warm leggings, a t-shirt, a jacket and gloves. The most important are the skates. If you’re just starting out on a track, you’ll probably rent for your first few visits. Ask the wizard for help if possible. Skateboards should feel a bit tight, so pay attention to the width.
- Walk: Keep those blade guards on and walk on the rubber mats on the floor. Get used to the feeling of walking on the blades. If you are staggering, try to focus on a point in the distance and walk towards it. That gives your body a chance to do it right. When you feel comfortable, walk on the ice. Take a lap, or two or more, simply by walking around the track while holding on to the railing. When you feel comfortable, move on to balance.
- Balance: Start working on balance. Extend your arms just below shoulder level, bend your knees slightly, and lean forward. You should not be able to see your toes and your shoulders should be forward and above your knees. Go slowly. Eventually the speed will help you balance, but not quite yet.
- Autumn: Yes, it’s going to happen. If you can anticipate the fall, bend your knees and squat down. Now you know where you are going to land: falling backwards is better! When you lower your hands to break the fall, keep them in a fist. You don’t want to lose a finger to a passing skater. Now how to get up? Start from your hands and knees and move to be on one knee with the other foot forward between your hands. Practice standing up.
- Push: You can walk and you feel safer. Now, let’s go to the first step of that wonderful slider movement. Land on your weaker foot and push off with a diagonal push from your stronger foot. Bring your strong foot forward, then do it again.
- Glide: Lengthen your strokes and bend your knees. Your body should move with the strokes. Both skates must be parallel and pointing at the same angle to go further and faster. Try pretending that you are on an imaginary scooter on the ice.
- Stop: You will get tired of crashing into the railing. Learn to stop by bending your knees, paralleling your skates, and pushing them to the side. You both need to stop and make some “snow” on the ice.
You can do it! These simple steps will have you skating like a pro in no time, and at that point, you’ll want to look like a skater too. The skating rink may have new skates for sale, or you can probably save money by buying your skates and other gear (one of those cute little skirts or actual skater pants?) by looking at inline skate dealers. You just found a way to stay cool and look great!