Mark your space
Mark it once. Every card in roller skating starts from this space and adds what it needs.
The space
A flat, smooth surface away from traffic: a rink, a hall, a smooth car park or a quiet court; a lane of about 20 m; cones for turns.
Where it fits: terrace (if smooth), school hall, park court, rink.
Mark in this order
- A start line
- A straight lane
- A slalom of cones
- A loop
Chalk or tape is enough. Tick each mark as you make it.
Practice kit first
Well-fitting skates, helmet, wrist guards, knee pads and elbow pads.
Check fit and wheels first.
Safety
Protective gear every time; learn to fall and stand up before speed; avoid crowds and slopes at first.
Check the surface first and skip it if wet, slippery, rough or full of debris; fill or mark cracks and holes; laces tied firmly across the instep, none hanging below the ankle; check helmets and guards for damage; stop if the surface gets worse or too crowded; only traffic-free places; skate one way round a loop.
awiseathlete.com/sports/roller-skating/setup