How to Prevent Falling on Inline Skates

Inline skates have become a popular way to get some exercise while benefiting from being outside. Skating can be an enjoyable activity alone or with other people. For some, the inline skating experience is an adjustment from traditional roller skates, as there is often a different level of balance that is required. What hasn't changed, is that falling can be a very unpleasant experience that is best avoided.

Proper safety equipment such as helmets, kneepads and elbow pads are an important part of the experience. What skaters have to realize is that safety equipment will not prevent a fall. Therefore, safety equipment should not be seen as an excuse to engage in unsafe behavior while out on the road.

The obvious advice for avoiding a fall is to keep your balance, but that is sometimes easier said than done. Balance is about being honest with yourself and realizing your limitations. This doesn't mean that skaters should shy away from a challenge, but a healthy level of self-awareness goes a long way toward maintaining safety. Some individuals just have better balance due to a younger age, athleticism or center of gravity.

Speed is obviously a factor when it comes to preventing a fall. Those that get used to inline skates can generate fairly significant speeds, particularly on flat terrain. The problem is figuring out how to stop quickly. When skaters get out of control, they may make poor decisions due to panic or inexperience.

When inline skaters first start with their new equipment, they should practice stopping. The temptation is to practice the skating part because that is more fun. Instead, a variety of methodologies for stopping, or at least slowing down, should be practiced. Stopping techniques include using heel brakes, dragging one foot behind while slowing down or even executing a graceful fall onto soft ground.

Avoiding falls on inline skates is often about picking the proper terrain. Inline skates are obviously not off-road equipment, but they can also experience challenges in an urban setting. Many skaters will enjoy going through their neighborhood, and this can be just fine as long as they are aware of traffic and uneven surfaces. This is why some inline skaters will go to a park or a bike path that is open and flat so that uncertain territory can be avoided.