Skating downhill is a thrilling experience which requires expertise to avoid a painful fall. Many people are willing to try out this challenging yet very satisfying sport.
It is possible to ride inline skates downhill with some bit of care and preparation. Although challenging, a good balance, awareness and protective gears ensures that you secure a safe ride.
More so, you have to start with gentle slopes to sharpen your skills and then try out steeper hills. Make sure to dress appropriately in clothes that are no going to restrict your movements.
How to inline skate downhill is a useful topic for skaters who want to navigate steep slopes especially those who intend to participate in inline alpine Thus, it draws more attention to learn how and when to ride a skate downhill safely.
If you are a beginner, it is good to start with flat surface, then gentle slopes, and finally steeper hills. In fact, it is good to note that in most cases it is definitely hard to skate uphill thus you will be required to take walk-up up the hill.
Not only that, while skating it is also good to learn how to avoid unnecessary falls when one encounters steep grounds. It involves thorough preparation and mental awareness to manage the skate downhill.
Basically, you are not ready unless you are able to maintain your motion and control ones speed. As such, we are going to take you through step by step guidelines on how to inline skate downhill.
How to Inline Skate Downhill
i. Start by Training to Develop Skills
First, train to skate on gentle grounds with grass or dirt. By training on gentler grounds is easy to learn how to slow yourself down when on steep surfaces. It is wise for someone to start by sharpening their skating skills.
Skate on rough surfaces that will enable a complete stop that to sharpen their skills easily. Still, if you are going downhill and are unable to control yourself, it is good if you seek a patch with gravel or grass and manage your speed.
Having that in mind, it will be much easier to navigate steep slopes with much ease avoiding unnecessary falls and tension.
ii. Speed management
This tactic is acquired through constant practice on how to brake effectively and promptly. Skate brakes are basic tools which one needs to examine before going downhill.
It is good that you go for those inline skates with the best brakes. For example, it is wise to avoid steep hills in case your inline skates are using obligatory brakes. These types of brakes are easier to apply on gentle slopes.
Going downhill will expose you to several obstacles, as an inline skater this how I improved my game. First, I learnt how to control speed by pressing the heel brake downwards.
Wait, this is how you go about it start by spreading your front foot and ensure that the skate brake is pressed on the ground. Then, Press firmly for an instant slow down, but if you want to slow down slowly do press the brakes towards the ground gently.
The most ideal aspect is to ensure that you start braking slowly then gently and lastly instantly until you master this skill. Based on my own experience, constant use or intentional use of brakes to stop or slow down helps you to acquire braking skill much faster.
With the right skills and safety measures you will have no trouble riding your inline skate downhill. As such, skate brakes are central core that you need to master before big day downhill experience.
iii. Wear Protective Gears
Acquire protective gears such as knee and elbow pads. It is wise to have all the necessary items to safeguard ones protection in case of unexpected fall or accident.
Gloves, knee and elbow pads are basic items which someone needs not to miss while going downhill. Ensure, you have trained thoroughly on how to use them before going fast downhill.
The gear usually make the fall less painful and protect one from serious injuries.
iv. Practice Quick Turns
The quick turns are necessary while going downhill to help evade obstacles such as trees, bushes, and ridges. In preparation, the inline skater needs to learn how to avoid obstacles that may damage their skates or else lead to an unexpected fall.
Not only that, it is also necessary to know how to stop on inline skates. With that, it easy to stop when quad turn fails. For effective quick turns in inline skate downhill, we are going take you through these steps.
First, limit speed by taking large turning arcs instead of moving your hips. Then, do more movements with your front foot and apply heel brakes more often.
Finally, practice quick turns by spreading your shoulders out for increased acceleration and reduced downhill speed. If you take your turns successfully, then be prepared for the best downhill experience.
V. Use of T stops
The toe stops is a key skill that you need to acquire before going downhill. It is essential to know how and when to stop.
This is basically how you are going to go about it. First, spread your legs out more than your shoulders then move your toes towards each other. Ensure to brace yourself as you do this in order to avoid falling forward.
Still, your skates may crash against one another in case you don’t observe your momentum. On top of that note that the skate needs to be nonparallel to one another in order to limit the speed.
This is ideally accomplished when you are under low speed. In fact, it is definitely hard to control speed under high pace because inline skates wheels are under one row which is only manageable by spreading out the front foot. You can learn how to break on rollerblades here.
In addition, you can use this technique to skate backwards by moving your heels in towards each other. More so, learn how to fall safely if you are unable to stop on time. That is, learn how to bend your knees and fall gently on elbow pads instead of using your hands that may lead to broken wrist or arms.
If possible, avoid to fall on concrete and sought on patch of grass or sand. That’s all we had to say about t stop which is a mere yet impactful thing when it comes to skating downhill. That is basically how to stop on aggressive inline skates.
Vi. Observation and awareness
Finally, on the sporting day it is necessary to take care of yourself. You not only need to be observed but keen as well.
Ensure that you maintain personal awareness and look out on different distractions that may lead to a fall. Going downhill will expose you to many risks but with utmost care and observation it is easy to ride safely.
If you feel fatigued, take a break rest and continue skating later.
You may also read: Best inline skates for outdoors
Tips on how to improve downhill skates
- Regular practice, which you gain by beginning by practicing on small hills
- Keenness and observation, this is accomplished over time and experience in inline skating on hills. This is where one trains to avoid obstacles, reduce, and maintain posture
- Confidence, is essential while going downhill that shows skater willingness to overcome challenges
- Prompt examination of downhill area is essential because it is definitely hard to ride in some hilly areas especially those that are filled with trees
- The skater has to ensure that his or her skates has good brakes for proper speed control and stopping. One can also master how to power stop on inline skates.
- Being well dressed with safety gear in order to safeguard ones safety and ability to ride skates with much ease
- Appropriate skating techniques is the basic skills that is accomplished through period of regular practice by starting on flat surface, gentler slopes to steeper hills.
Closing Remarks
Inline downhill skating creates the best feeling ever, especially when a skater is assured of safety. Casual or recreational skating downhill with inline skates needs you to be more keen on different obstacles. As such, you need to be a pro in order avoid unnecessary falls that might lead to injuries and thus a lifetime regret.
Don’t do it other people ways, just ensure that you are familiar with inline skates and we’ll dressed with proper safety gear. Anyway, based on my skating adventures, going downhill requires one to practice the skills and observation skills with prior planning for a safe ride.
I hope that this piece has created real expectations on what inline skating downhill entails. Don’t wait to learn from a nasty fall but engage on thorough practice and prepare promptly. As a matter of fact, there’s a lot of fun which is only accomplish-able through expertise on how to ride and stop safely with inline skates.
I would go on with my piece for inline skating downhill is quite pleasurable, but because you got the key tips, all the best as you prepare for your big day. Enjoy your skating adventure and ensure that you observe all the given tips.