Roller skating is fun, but the mere thoughts of it scare a lot of people. Worse of it all is skating over obstacles, cracks, or twigs on the road. Most roller skaters, especially beginners don’t attempt skating over twigs and obstacles because of the risks associated with it. While we acknowledge the risks, it isn’t as risky as imagined or portrayed.
The truth is skating over obstacles is straightforward with the correct technique. One reason many skaters don’t attempt this is their lack of skills. Some have attempted skating over obstacles but ended up injured because they didn’t apply the right skill. Perhaps, to avoid this altogether, many skaters resolved to not rolling on cracked roads or over obstacles.
How to Roller Skate Over Cracks, Twigs, or Any Obstacle in the Road
It’s normal to be afraid of doing something, especially if you haven’t done it before. As a professional skater, I have been in a similar position before, but I decided to deal with my fears. Over the years, I learned to skate over obstacles and twigs successfully without falling or getting injured. In this post, I will teach you how to skate over cracks, twigs, and obstacles when outside.
Before you start skating, the first thing you should do is to put on your safety gear. You should have your helmet, wrist guard, knee pad, and your elbow pad on whenever you want to skate, especially on the sidewalk. This type of road usually has debris that can make you slip. So, wearing the gear is necessary for safety’s sake.
There are three ways of skating over obstacles and twigs you can use. You can use the speeding method, stepping, and jumping method. I will explain how to apply each method in this article.
1. The Speeding Method
The first way to go over cracks and obstacles is by speeding over them. To do this on the crack, you need to stagger your legs. This implies keeping your legs at width level and putting one leg in front of the other. After this, keep your knees bent at 45°, try to pick up some speed, and then go over the cracks. Don’t go super fast and too slow. Maintain a good pace when going over them, especially if you are a novice. You wouldn’t want to go super fast and then crash into something.
One important thing you should do is try to be as light as possible on the feet so that you can lift with your body (not the skates) when moving over obstacles. I know it can be tough doing this, especially with your weight concentrated on your legs. This is what you should do; don’t place too much weight on your leading foot. About 70% of your weight should be on the trailing foot and your lower back. That way, you can skate lightly and speedily over the cracks.
At first, you will feel a little bumpy and thrown up when moving over cracks, but as you continue practicing, you’ll get more comfortable with it. The faster you go, the easier you’ll get over the twigs, but don’t go faster than what you can handle. This option is not ideal for a big crack, so I advise that you don’t go with this option if you intend to roll over massive obstacles.
2. The Stepping Method
The next way of going over cracks is to step over them. Here, you assume the same staggered position with your knees still bent. Instead of speeding over the obstacles, you pick up your first foot and step over the crack when it comes. Then step over with the second foot behind. This is not like jumping. Think of it as taking a step when you are walking, but with a little bit more speed.
You want to ensure that you get the timing right when you step over with the first foot and then the second. Stepping over with the second foot is usually the issue because most skaters don’t get the timing correct. If you don’t get it right, you might trip with the toe stop, and you could sustain nasty injuries. Cracks on the sidewalk can be dangerous because debris could be lying on them. However, you can conveniently avoid them with this method.
3. The Jumping Method
The last method you can use to go over cracks is by jumping. Now, when I say jump, I don’t mean jumping high over them. What I mean is doing a little bit of jump or a hop over the twigs. When you have enough speed, a little bit of momentum will get you over that crack comfortably.
However, you must be comfortable jumping before you can use this method. In addition, you need to be a little convenient with speeding while jumping to get over the cracks.
Tips for Outdoor Skating
Skating outdoors is super exciting than doing that in rinks, but riskier if you are not careful. When skating outdoors, whether sidewalks, pavements, or grasses, you need to ensure that you wear the best skate boots, protect yourself adequately, and use the best skate accessories. Let’s share a few tips below.
Protect Yourself
Whenever you go out skating, protect yourself by wearing safety gear. Don’t listen to those guys and girls who say that only beginners wear safety gear. Whether you are a beginner or not, protecting yourself is nobody’s decision to make. You are doing it for your safety, so shun the laughs or jibes from other people.
You are not skating over a smooth surface, which increases your chances of getting seriously injured if you should fall. So, gear up. Wear wrist guards, elbow and knee pads, and a helmet.
Don’t Stay Upright
Many skaters, especially novices, make the mistake of staying upright while skating. This isn’t only wrong, but dangerous. I earlier discussed this a little while talking about skating methods. Your stance while skating is crucial. If you maintain an awkward position, you will lose balance and fall.
The best way to skate is to stay staggered with one foot in front of the other and keep your knees bent. With this, even if you lose balance while on one foot, your other foot can help you regain balance. Your knees are the perfect shock absorbers, and if you hit any obstacle, your body will be in the perfect condition to absorb the impact. Staying uptight will only expose your body to falls and impede your body from reacting.
Take Note of Wet Pavements
Wet areas can hamper your movement. They can cause your wheels to move beyond your control, and the moisture can wreck your boots and wheel bearings. The latter can rust and stop working efficiently. So, avoid puddles. If you hit a splatter, remember to dry your skates off immediately after you are done skating.
Use Outdoor Wheels
Outdoor skating demands outdoor wheels. If you plan on skating outdoors and in the market for a skate, check the wheels. These are the three things you need to check; durometer, diameter, and width.
The durometer is also known as the tire’s rating, ranging from 74A to 105A. The higher the number, the harder the wheel. A wheel’s rating affects durability and surface grip. For outdoor skating, you need softer wheels to absorb the surface’s bumps.
The diameter is the wheel’s height. Shorter wheels are slower but easier to control, while taller wheels are faster and offer a smoother ride. Aside from that, smaller wheels are slower while the larger ones are faster. If you want to move pretty quickly, choose a taller and larger wheel over a shorter and smaller wheel.
The width is the last feature to look out for. The width describes the narrowness of the wheels. The narrower the tire, the more maneuverable it is and lesser stability. Choose the ideal width according to your skill level.
Choose the Right Bearing
Alternating bearings between your indoor and outdoor wheels can be stressful, and you risk damaging them over time. If you plan to use the same skate on outdoor and indoor surfaces, you should get a set of indoor and outdoor bearings. Some bearings come encased, preventing dirt and moisture from getting into them. However, they are pricey.
The bearings must be durable and come at the right size for your skates’ wheels.
Slow Down When Making Turns
No matter how skillful you are, you should slow down when making a turn. Step on your toe stops each time you step on a sidewalk, and you are not confident rolling over them.
If you don’t want to skate on sidewalks, there are other places you can roll on outdoors, such as a parking lot, tennis courts, etc. You can learn skating in these places as a beginner.
Conclusion
I hope with these skating tips, you will feel less intimidated by those cracks and obstacles on the sidewalks. You don’t have to be scared of skating over twigs anymore, but I recommend that you practice more often to become more proficient. If you are not comfortable with any of the methods, avoid trying them. Only do what you are safe with to minimize the risks of getting injured.
