Rollerblading isn't gay! (Agressive in general)

Member Name:

Product:	Agressive in general
Date:	17/05/01 (123 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: unique sport, positive fun, so much progression

Disadvantages: gets a bad rap from other sports, can hurt!, UK is a bit wet

Rollerblading gets a bad press. Rollerbladers are easy targets for older skateboarders and bmx riders - "binliner", "fruitbooters", "rollerfagots", etc. small minded jibes from idiots with time to waste hating others who are only trying to enjoy themselves!!

I'm a rollerblader and I don't have a problem with that! I don't hate skateboarders or bmx riders. I skateboarded for 12 years until ankles gave way, raced bmx for 5 years too! I started rollerblading at age 21, I'm now 27 and going strong. We don't call it "aggressive" anymore, that's a horrible name..it's just rollerblading, thank you!

It's totally different to the other wheeled sports. The physical sensation, the style of movement, the tricks, the potential is all different to skateboarding and bmx riding and even rollerskating.

A good pair of skates will set you back around £90 (as a minimum). Good brands include Salomon, K2, Roces, Rollerblade, Razors and UDS (although stay away from their Psirus model which falls to bits). Salomon do a budget skate for £120, and Rollerblade's decent skates start at only £90 for something like the Swindler. K2 and Roces tend to be pricy, like USD, their skates range from £170-250. Check out Unity magazine for good ideas on what to buy, or Daily Bread for an American flavour of the scene.

Safety gear is a must, or you wil hurt yourself bad! Get some decent knee pads, wrist guards and a helmet (if you skate park). If you're super clumsy get elbow pads too and maybe some hips pads (but these can restrict your movement).

It's best to learn to skate before getting into the aggressive side of it. Decent movement skills make a huge difference to your learning, safety and potential. I've met tons of skaters who can bust s**t on a handrail and then fall over when they try to roll away backwards.

Skateparks are a good place to start, some off
er tuition and other have novice sessions. Basic grinds to learn are soul, royale, topsoul, frontside/backside, mizou, backslide and all the variations that stem from these. Spins are quite tough at first because you have to use your head to spin. Air takes time to learn, learning to pump a ramp takes so doing (be comfortable with rolling backwards first).

I can't really say much more because it's one of those sports you just have to try and pick up.

I used to ride for K2 as a sponsored rider in the UK. I left to ride on IND Remedyz skates as I got sick of the crap sponsorship deals that UK skaters get. I now work for a trust in East London that is building London's new skatepark (£800K project). I also write freelance for Unity skate magazine.

I don't skate as much as I used to, but I still really enjoy it. I skate handrails less and less as I get older (need to go to work every day!) but my love has always been skating mini ramp..I can hold my own on any mini ramp.

The best place to start is to get some good skates and just get on with it. It's a real adventure and you'll learn so much in the first few years, then learning slows down and takes a different direction as you get into bigger tricks, more stylish skating and having even more fun!

Summary: