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As summer rolls around the corner, more and more threads are popping up about alternatives to skiing in the summer. This short, 5 part guide will show the basics of, in my opinion, the best alternative to skiing.
Parts:
1- Some Videos
2- Beginner Skates
3- The Basics
4- Basic Grinds
5- Trick Terminology
Part 1- Some Videos
I was originally going to jump straight into skates, but I feel it would be a better option to start with some videos to get a little bit of inspiration.
Skates come in many different shapes, sizes, flex patterns, and designs for different people. This is great, because it offers different skates for different people, just like the ski industry. One of the most popular skates to start with is the Razors Genesis.
This is a good beginner skate, due to its relatively cheap price, and mainly the build. This boot is located directly in the middle of the scale in terms of flex. This would allow you to decide where you want to go in terms of flex on your next skate. It is also a fairly durable skate, they were my first skate, and my brother is now riding them 4 years later.
Another cheap beginner skate is the Rollerblade New Jack 5.
Much like the Genesis 10, this skate is also defined as a bigginer skate. Also at a fairly cheap price, and located near the middle of the flex scale, maybe a little softer than the Genesis. This is also a good beginner skate.
And my final recommendation is the Remedyz OS4.
This skate is now being offered at a steal of a price at most online stores. This is a good, durable skate, you just have to be careful of the flex, as this skate is way more flexy than the other skates, and this trend runs in all of the Remz skates. This is a good skate for a great price.
Part 3- The Basics
The basics are important, but can be condensed to a short part of this guide. When you first get your skates, you need to learn how to use them. Don't build a rail yet, practice skating forward and switch, doing 180's and half cabs off curbs, and learning to manage your skates. One thing you need to know is that aggressive inline skates do not have brakes. You need to learn a T stop before you do any more.
This is a easy skill to learn, but it must be done.
The next step is to build or find a round rail (Also called a P rail) That is ideally very close to the ground, and placed on grass, in case you fall, and try your first grind. For now, you just need to slide on your h-Block. This is the plastic groove in between your wheels. The actual grind part should be easy, as it is extremely similar to doing it on skis. Step by step:
- Aim parallel to the rail, do not angle yourself.
- place your feet shoulder-width apart, and get your feet in a position where you will straddle the rail(One foot on each side)
- Make sure you have the appropriate amount of speed, this is dependent on the rail.
- Jump
- Once in the air, turn your feet 90 to match the center of your boot with the rail
- Keep your eyes on the end of the rail, if not you will slip out
- Slide
- jump and turn 90 off
This grind is super easy, and it will prepare you for the harder tricks. Try to throw in some 2's out, and try jumping on from switch.
Part 4- Basic Grinds
There are many, many different grinds, But here are some trick tips on how to do the basics. I'm linking videos because AMALL can explain it better than I can.
Inline tricks are difficult to recognize, because unlike skiing, there are many more variations you can do with your feet. Here is a list of terms used for tricks.
Regular- Sliding a grind with no variation to the trick.
Top- Having the soul foot on top of the rail. Video, as this is a difficult concept to imagine.
Zero Spin- Going in switch, and staying switch on the rail
Half Cab- Doing a switch 180 onto a rail, either true, or ally-oop
Full Cab- Doing a switch 360 onto the rail, either true or Ally-oop
6- The End
Good luck with starting inline, I hoped this helped. I skipped alot of things in this guide, Like the parts and anatomy of a skate, and building an inline-specific box or rail. I am more than willing to make another guide that is more specific if people want it. If you are ever wondering anything about inline, feel free to send me a PM, I am more than happy to help.
