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Want to tie the wheels to your feet and hit the road? You need these things first

There must be a moment for roller skating now. From the kid next door to the global comedy superstar (and the host of Nailed It) Nicole Byer, everyone put on shoes with wheels and started exercising in style. Whether you want to participate in a roller skating competition, upgrade your TikTok game or just want to cruise the local streets and feel the wind in your hair, now is the best time to skate. 

But getting into roller skating is not as simple as activating the front camera and hitting the sidewalk. You need to know what kind of skates to buy, and you also need some protective equipment to ensure the safety of your head and joints. We chatted with Matthew Clanahan of Melbourne skate shop Bayside Blades about what you need to get started. 

Cranahan said: “It’s good to start with simple skates and focus on getting something soft and comfortable.” “[For those who want to play roller skating], many people start with the entry-level Riedell R3 skates or Bont Prostar. The skates were chosen for beginners and intermediate levels respectively, and then upgraded to something lighter, faster, and stronger after a few years."

If you want to skate outdoors, there are many beautiful outdoor choices in colors and styles.

Whether you are skating indoors or outdoors, make sure you have the right wheels. Indoor wheels are much harder than outdoor wheels, making it easier to start, stop and maneuver on a smooth surface. Outdoor wheels usually have a jelly-like or rubber-like appearance and are softer, so they can roll over debris and rough roads more easily.

Indoor skates (such as Derby skates) can be used outdoors as long as you change the wheels to outdoor ones. But if you really want to play derby, or you think you might, "avoid wearing skates with artistic heels under your boots," Cranahan said. "They will make many things more difficult in the future." 

"This is part of the starter kit that you don't want to compromise," Cranaghan said.

If you are going to participate in roller skating, you will spend a lot of time learning to stop and fall in the first 6 to 12 weeks. If you have just started skating outdoors, you are likely to fall more than once. I have been skating for almost eight years. Without knee pads, I would never go skating, either indoors or outdoors.

So what kind of knee pad is right for you? "If you have had knee problems in the past, you will tend to use high-quality 187 pads or TSG pads," Cranahan said. "More commonly, people use Triple 8, Smith, S-One or thinner 187 option knee pads."

"It takes a very embarrassing fall to hit the elbow!" Cranahan said. But this does not mean that you should ignore this part of the kit. "If you do, these rough pointed tips are very fragile, so cover them with almost anything that fits. Spending more money on elbow pads will help extend their lifespan, but on the first day, It’s okay to use elbow pads as little as possible, as long as they fit like gloves."

Many outdoor skaters choose to give up elbow pads, but if you want to participate in roller skating competitions, you must use elbow pads.

Whether you want to play roller skating or skating nearby, these mats are not optional. You will naturally reach out to prevent falls-this may mean a broken wrist. 

"[Wrist guards are] the first guard you think of, and the last pad you should wear (because they make everything more tricky!)," Cranahan said. "Some braces focus on supporting and limiting the impact of maximum impact. Some braces focus on flexibility, comfort and feel like nothing is worn. Decide where you are on the scale and measure your body-get a wrist brace It’s very important that the first day fits well so they don’t get too big.”

Many outdoor skaters do not wear a mouthguard, but please consider whether this is the right choice. A fall with a broken tooth is rare-but if you have a fall, you will be very happy with this protection. All roller skaters must wear mouth guards.

"You can still get a thick old chemist-style boiled bite plastic as a cheap option," Cranahan said. But he recommends the use of ultra-thin, plastic SISU mouthguards, so that you can talk and drink more easily.

"Put on a thin mouthguard, speak less and speak more clearly," Cranahan said. The most important thing is: "Keep it clean and replace it when it becomes a bit disgusting."

Even if you choose not to wear any other protective equipment, you should always wear a helmet when you have wheels on your feet. Bones and joints usually heal, sometimes requiring surgery and medical intervention; the brain usually does not. Of course, if you want to participate in roller skating competitions, helmets are not negotiable at any time. But finding the helmet that best suits your situation can be tricky.

"Certified or not? Special technology for anti-rotation force? There is a lot of information about helmets, some of which are really contradictory," Cranahan said. "We will always encourage you to focus on the fit, because a helmet that is not worn on your head is absolutely useless.

"Measure the circumference of your head and refer to the size guide of the helmet you bought-the size is not universal, you need it to fix the skull and related brain cells."

Every piece of protective equipment you buy until you crash or fall is just fashionable, and then it may be the difference between a sad smile and a trip to the hospital. Clanahan said that it is important to ensure that every piece of equipment fits snugly on the first day, so that it does not slip or move when you are skating. "Measure your body and compare it to all size guidelines," he said. "If you have the ability to try it on yourself, then go for it. Sometimes it may be more tricky. If you have any questions, please call your local skate shop for help, learn about the suitability of each brand and the difference between sizes, and buy more Smaller rather than larger."

So you have all your gear, but what should you look for on the skating path? The best skating paths are those that are wide, smooth, and flat, with few obstacles or other users. Rocks, sticks, sand or other debris on the path will make your journey more dangerous and stressful. Even a few degrees of inclination or descent will have a huge impact on the skates. In addition, choose a path that does not cross any roads-you don't want to risk falling.

Think about whether you can reach the place you want to go skating from your car or home without encountering difficult terrain such as grass, sand or gravel. If you can't, put on your shoes to the skating track and replace them when you reach a smooth, flat and safe place. If your skates break in some way along the path, or if you encounter rough terrain or roads that need to be traversed, it is best to wear your shoes and backpack together on the backpack. Bring sunscreen and water in your backpack, and throwing in the granola bar is also harmless. 

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