Road Skate
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History
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Equipment



History

The evolution

The first roller skate was patented in 1819 in Paris; by a man named M. Petibeld. However, the invention of such a unique artifact, dates to the 1760s, when Joseph Merlin built the first rudimentary model: an ice skate with two wheels attached to it.

It wasn’t until 1863, that the first set of “quad” skates was designed in Medford, Massachusetts by James Plimpton. The new design allowed skaters to turn, speed up and balance; they could even perform other maneuvers like spinning, jumping and changing directions easily; it quickly became an indoor alternative for ice skating. The roller-skating craze extended for decades until the appearance of roller sports.

Roller Sports

In the 80s, the brothers Scott and Brennan Olson developed modern in-line skates with a sturdy boot made from lightweight materials. That allowed for maneuverability, speed and stability, which made in-line hockey more attractive to players. The first hockey game ever recorded was in London in 1878. Followed by speed roller skating tournaments in 1890, roller dancing in 1910, and figure skating in 1923. Then the International Federation of Roller Sports was founded in 1924.

Equipment

How to choose your equipment

There are many skating styles such as freestyle, street style, aerial acrobatics performed off ramps, and aggressive roller-skating, an alternative to skateboarding, among others. Naturally, there are different types of skates for each sport, let me give you a brief description to help you choose the best for you.

Remember, using a helmet, knee and elbow pads or wrist guards is up to you and highly recommended if you are a beginner.

Type of skates

Speed

They have a low-cut boot that fits just like regular shoe. They use speed style wheels and bearings which enables you to skate faster and cover more distance per stride. There is the quad and the in-line version.

Recreational

They are also called fitness skates, designed for use outdoors, the boot is softer and higher for extra support and comfort.

Hockey

Featuring a stiffer boot that holds your ankle in place with laces, a metal frame and harder rubber wheels that are resistant to rougher use and scratches. They are designed to last.

Aggressive

Just as a skateboard, they are made for tricks and jumps in skateparks and streets. They are robust and heavier to allow for high performance and resistance to hard impacts. Featuring smaller wheels and lower chassis to lower your gravity centre and give you stability.

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