In this part of our web guide, we will cover inline skating as an extreme sport.
Also known as rollerblading, inline skating dates back to 1760 London, when John Joseph Merlin attached metal wheels to his shoes. However, it wasn't until the early 1980s that inline skating gained significant popularity.
This resurgence is credited to Scott and Brennan Olson, who founded Rollerblade Incorporated in 1980. Their design included four polyurethane wheels arranged in a straight line, allowing for greater speed and maneuverability than traditional quad skates.
Inline skating quickly gained popularity as a recreational activity and soon evolved into various disciplines, some of which are now considered extreme sports.
Those that might be regarded as extreme sports include aggressive inline skating, vert skating, freestyle skating, downhill skating, and off-road skating.
Aggressive inline skating focuses on performing tricks, grinds, and jumps on street obstacles or skate parks. Skates explicitly made for this discipline are designed with reinforced boots and grind plates to withstand the impact of stunts. Aggressive inline skating was featured in the X Games from 1995 to 2005.
Vert skating involves performing aerial tricks on a half-pipe or vert ramp. Skaters achieve significant height and perform complex maneuvers, making it one of the most visually impressive and dangerous forms of inline skating.
Also known as slalom skating, freestyle skating involves intricate footwork and tricks around a series of cones. While this discipline is not as extreme as aggressive or vert skating, the precision and skill required make it a challenging and competitive sport.
Downhill skating involves racing down steep hills at high speeds, often exceeding 60 mph. The risk of falls and collisions makes downhill skating an extreme sport.
Using skates with larger, all-terrain wheels, off-road skaters tackle rough terrains like dirt trails and grassy fields. The unpredictable surfaces and obstacles add an element of danger to the sport.
While not all inline skating disciplines are considered extreme sports, they each offer unique challenges.
Recreational skating is focused on fitness and leisure, offering cardiovascular benefits and the pleasure of gliding on smooth surfaces.
While not generally considered an extreme sport, speed skating is a racing sport that requires a combination of speed, endurance, and technique.
Similar to figure skating on ice, artistic skating involves performing choreographed routines to music, emphasizing grace and precision.
Inline hockey is a fast-paced team sport played on a hard surface with a puck or ball, combining elements of ice hockey and roller skating.
Roller soccer is a niche sport that combines soccer with inline skating, requiring agility and coordination.
Inline skating has evolved from a recreational activity into a diverse sport with multiple disciplines, some of which are categorized as extreme sports. Aggressive inline, vert skating, freestyle skating, downhill skating, and off-road skating press the boundaries of what can be achieved on wheels, offering thrills, challenges, and risks.
Online resources for inline skating are appropriate for this category, including those that aren't generally considered extreme sports. However, online shopping sites should be submitted to the corresponding Shopping & eCommerce category.
Recommended Resources
Representing the Canadian National Inline Hockey Teams and National Development Program (Pure Maple), tryout locations are hosted across Canada each spring. After that, Team Canada rosters for the following world events and age categories are selected, including Jr. Men's, Jr. Women's, Sr. Men's, Sr. Women's, Masters, Veterans, and Legends. Team Canada is highlighted, along with its Pure Maple development program, sponsorship opportunities, contacts, and other resources.
http://www.canadainline.com/
The MISC was founded in 1996 as the Metro Inline Skate Club and organized to promote inline skating in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area, the rest of Minnesota, and neighboring areas. Operated by volunteers, MISC provides organized skating events such as the Monday Rec Skate, supports other events and races such as the Minnesota Half Marathon and North Shore Inline Marathon, and keeps skaters informed of current and upcoming events. Trails are noted on the site.
https://www.skateminnesota.org/
Focused on rollerblading, the website offers information for rollerbladers of all skill levels, from beginners to experienced skaters. Experts tips and tricks include, from choosing the right gear to mastering advanced techniques, an online discussion forum, news and information about rollerblading events and activities, several informational articles relating to rollerblading skills and training, inline skate reviews, and roller skate reviews, an introduction to the sports, and a contact form.
https://rollerbladeninja.com/
The largest inline skating school in Singapore, Skatextreme offers inline skating lessons led by certified instructors at various locations across Singapore, including Yishun Park, Punggol Park, and Bedok Reservoir, tailored to beginning and advanced skaters. Inline skate lessons, corporate lessons, and private lessons are included, along with an introduction to the organization, which was established in 2015. Career information and contacts are posted on the website.
https://skatextreme.com.sg/
Synergy is an indoor and outdoor speed skating group for skaters of all abilities. The group regularly attends inline skating events up and down the East Coast, as well as others across the United States. Synergy is a chartered organization through the USA Roller Sports. Past skaters have used Synergy's program to reach goals of national and world championships, while others have moved on to the United States National Cycling Team and even enrollment to Weste Point.
https://www.synergyinline.com/
World Inline Figure Skating Association
Established in Paris in 2011, the WIFSA is the central organization governing inline figure skating. The WIFSA strives to promote and develop the sport globally, organizing various competitions and events, including the World Championships and the World Open. Member nations and sponsors are acknowledged, along with its officers and judges, regulations, sports (figure skating, inline dance, chorus/quartet skating, synchronized skating, and inline edge), and contacts.
http://www.wifsa.net/
World Skate is the governing body for sports performed on skating wheels, which include artistic skating, inline alpine skating, inline downhill skating, inline freestyle skating, inline hockey (roller in-line hockey), inline speed skating, roller derby, roller freestyle skating (aggressive inline skating), roller hockey, scootering, skateboarding, and skate cross. Its history, mission, and strategic plan are noted, along with scheduled events, results, and media resources.
https://www.worldskate.org/
