Tuesdays (April - October) and every Thursday (all year round) 6:30pm - 7:30pm at Pentrehafod School, Swansea
Only £6 per session
What protective gear should I buy?
Pads and helmets
Roller skating does not come without risks which is why it is really important to minimise that risk by investing in good protective gear. (Especially knee pads! The rest can be a bit cheaper but don't skimp on the knee pads!!)
It is really easy to fall into the trap of buying cheap, unsuitable protection, falling, getting hurt because the pads didn't protect you effectively, losing confidence and never skating again!
When buying new protective gear, look for pads suitable for roller derby or ramp skating. These pads have been specifically designed with protecting heavy falls in mind.
There are so many brands, styles, colours and price ranges that it can become overwhelming. And expensive! But it needn't be.
There are many places to get second hand skating gear but a great one is the Facebook page "roller derby recyclables". Here, the kit being sold on is most likely to be suitable for your needs.
Also, get involved in your Facebook local skating communities, the people there will be able to offer advice and may even have something you can borrow or buy from them at a discount!
If you do want to buy new, the prices can be off-putting but bear in mind that if you do spend the money on good quality gear, you'll be better protected meaning falls (you WILL fall!) are less likely to hurt and your confidence will grow. However, if you spend the money and realise that skating is not for you, there are the skating communities and recyclable groups you can sell it on at a sightly discounted rate where they will be snapped up!
Recommended brands to look out for:
187's, Smiths, REKD
And for a smaller budget: Triple 8's and Bullets. These pads will be fine but they are not as padded and don't last as long.
Just remember to measure up properly before buying your pads - the supplier will be able to give you the measurement requirements to ensure the best fit for you!
Helmets:
Your helmet should fit snugly on your head. It should not move about on your head and it should be casing your crown (not balancing!) If, when undone, you can tip your head forward and it falls off easily, it's the wrong size!
Any helmet should do the job - just be sure to check the usage limitations on the packaging.
If you wish to go shopping and try a few bits on, head to Bridgend Cycle Centre, they have a wide range of skates, protection, helmets, wheels and loads of other skating goodies, plus extremely knowledgeable staff who will talk you through your skating needs. Or you can check out their website by clicking the link below.
Happy skating!
What skates should I buy?
Skates and wheels
Skates are very much a personal choice with so many styles available these days it can be baffling as to what is best for you.
You need to ask yourself; what will I be mostly using them for? The answer will guide your skate purchase.
Example being - roller derby skates are quad skates with no ankle support (essentially trainers with wheels). This allows greater ankle flexibility allowing for quick directional changes and a more natural foot movement, whereas ramp skaters generally prefer to have skates (inlines and quads) that are boots which can provide that additional ankle support for landing tricks and jumps.
The type and brand of skates you get is very much dependent on what you intend to do with them, and personal preference regarding styles etc. So what is your main goal on your skates? Once you know the answer to that question, get on some Facebook local skating communities and ask for advice and guidance-skaters LOVE talking about their skates!
The only advice I would give here is if you are buying a cheap pair when starting out, be sure to check for weight restrictions. (Normally on the box and on the inside of the tongue of the skate itself). A lot of cheap skates are aimed at children and have a weight limit. Not only would exceeding this weight limit be potentially dangerous; nobody wants their skates to break while they are whizzing around on them, but it also hinders performance and makes you feel like you're skating through treacle which is never a good time!
Wheels:
Wheel hardness is measured in durometers. Starting at 75a (softest) and going up to 101a (hardest). Softer wheels are normally used for outdoor skating - 88a would be the hardest I personally would be comfortable skating on outdoors but again, it's all down to preference.
Normally, indoor skating calls for wheels between 88a - 101a. Your weight, speed and agility are all factors in choosing the right wheels but honestly, which wheels to buy is a huge question! One that I can't answer here as everyone is different, I personally like a bit of grip but also a bit of slide so I currently skate on 92's.
The softer the wheel, the grippier they are, the slower they feel and the faster they wear. Harder wheels offer slide and speed and wear slower.
Again - tap into your local skating communities and ask the question - like skates, skaters can talk wheels all day!
Happy skating!