So, you're ready to Go to the Line, but wait... one more decision: Indoors or outdoors? Inline or quads? Indoor Inline speed skating is organized through the sports governing body (USARs), and uses a 100 meter indoor oval track(mostly meets are organized and held through local roller rinks. Race divisions and distances are just as varied as the floor surfaces and wheels used. Skaters can participate in racing as individuals or as part of a team. Indoor racing can be just as much fun for the kiddo's as it is for the masters. Indoor inline not your thing, quad speed rollerskate divisions are available to race, too. Remember, what the door mouse said: rollerskating is where it all started.
Many of the Indoor national events organized by URAR's also include outdoor component, a Road skate, or Banked Track. There are many (though, numbers of events are falling) independently organized outdoor skating events, be it 5K, 10k, or 1/2 or Full Marathon (26.1 miles). Some long standing events are A2A, the NY Marathon, Northshore. Younger events pop up come & go, and know that it takes a village to keep these event happening. Events abroad can also be fun, Berlin, Paris, or Spain being some key destinations.
Banked track skating is limited by the number of tracks available in the USA, while our skating friends abroad seem to relish in hte fact that tracks are as common as basketball courts or soccer fields, maybe... one day. Banked track are typically 200 meters in length, and of smooth, sometimes sealed concrete.
- Indoor races, you'll require indoor wheels for hte floor type.
- Outdoor races, you'll require outdoor wheels for asphalt/concrete, and
- Outdoor track(banked) you'll want wheels especailly designed for the tracks surface.
Racing for Fun
Events are great ways to set individual goals with your skating, physical and technical abilities are placed under the microscope - have you been training? Is all that training paying off. Or, do you just want to go, hang with those of like-minds and roll. The later is where many people chose to enter events. Sure it may be a race, but who says you have to race? Have fun, enjoy the course, the venue.
There was a time when Inline skating races were popular, remember the 90's... I do! While I may not get to race a marathon in Tahiti any time soon, it's memory is still lingers when I lace up my skates. Skating destinations can bring life long enjoyment. When was the last time your bearing seized up crossing the finish line after skating 26 miles in the rain, and yet you were still smiling? Call me a hopeless, skating romantic... Kim Kraan
skateNOW host events, racing and tours, and hopes you'll connect with us to share in one of our skating experiences. We also love to hear our clients skate stories, please share with us on our media pages. And, when you need gear, to create your own skating memories, you know where to find us.