Just like with other sports, safety should play an important part of every roller skater’s life. Chances are you first learned to roller skate at a rink much like that at our own Deptford Skating and Fun Center. Anyone who has been to DSC knows that we do not require a helmet or other safety items to be worn around the rink; however, there are still precautions that can be taken while you are indoor skating.
Two important lessons to learn for indoor rink safety are:
- Learning to Stop
- Learning to Fall
Depending on the type of skates you have, will depend on how you stop; but regardless of where your stopper is located, you should always practice stopped first, before you practice going fast in your skates.
Falling is also a major cause of injuries in roller skating. Why? In most indoor cases, it is because the skater did not know ‘how’ to fall properly. Yes, it sounds strange because no one wants to fall in the first place; but it is bound to happen, especially for novice skaters. One way to fall is to bend the knees into a squat and lay over onto the floor. Try not to lean backwards if you get off balance. Skating instructors are an excellent source for learning how to fall properly and how to brake efficiently.
Outdoor Skating Dangers
If you decide to go roller skating outside, please be cautious of these dangers:
- Inclines: Novice skaters often underestimate how much speed hills can give; be extra careful if you are a new skater! That hill may not be worth the risk of injury to yourself or others.
- Water or Debris: Any type of water or debris (like sand) can cause you to go into a skid. It can also do damage to your skates (rust, damaged bearings, etc.). Try to avoid water and debris if possible by going around or stepping over. If it is not avoidable, be sure to clean and dry your skates as soon as possible.
- Roads: If you are skating on a street dangers such as pot-holes in the road and cars may be present. Try to find sidewalks or parks to skate in if possible; if not, forego your earbuds and music, so you can be very cautious of traffic and any road obstacles. (Staying off the road all together is probably your best bet for safety…)
At DSC we always provide a safe and fun indoor skating environment to all of our roller skating friends! Beginner skaters will feel secure in our rink with our easy to use ‘skate mates,’ and more seasoned skaters will feel at home as well. Roll over to DSC sometime and see why our rink is the place to be in the Deptford, NJ area!