AboutPat Palmer Expertise I feel I can answer most questions regarding the sport. I`m a registered Artistic Roller Skating Coach and have taught at various rinks for over 20 years. I coach competitive dance teams and teach anyone from the beginner skater to the very advanced skater.
Experience I'm a registered coach and have credentials from both the Roller Skating Association and
USA Roller Sports which is recgonized by the US Olympic Committee.
Expert: Pat Palmer Date: 5/31/2008 Subject: inline vs quad - or maybe even both?
Question I tried roller skating recently, and fell in love with it. I've been looking for an activity to do, and I think I've found it. Where I live, the best available courses are for inline, but I absolutely loved watching the pros on their quads. Didn't see half as much interesting movement and dance from the people on inline skates.
Is it just greedy of me to think it might be worth learning on inline (which I will use anyway for outdoor skating), and doing a quick course for quads (for indoor/dance)? Or should I just stick to the inlines for indoor as well since that's what I'll be using outside (even though I really want to learn to use the quads properly).
In short, will doing the inline course (which as I mentioned is WAY better and a lot cheaper) hinder my learning with the quads?
Answer Hi Cee,
Learning both inlines and quads is like having the best of both worlds. It's a win, win situation. Inlines are ideal for skating outdoors. They are much safer than quads because of all the pebble, twigs etc. But you're correct in thinking that you won't see as many interesting movements or dance on inlines.
So, I would suggest you keep up with your inlines and use them for a good work out when skating outdoors.
If you want to learn to dance or learn some fun moves on skates, then definitely go with the quads when you're skating indoors. They're much more versatile because of their structure.
Granted, skating outdoors is free. But if you want to learn to skate on quads correctly, take some lessons and learn the basics....you will never be sorry. The basics for quads will also help your inline skating. The principals are the same.
To save money, most rinks offer group classes for both kids and adults. Private lessons, of course, are more expensive and down the road you may want a more 'one on one' type of lesson but for now....go with the group lessons. They will teach you forward, backward, stopping, crossing your feet on the corners, etc.
Once you have mastered those, you're ready to learn to dance on skates and that's when private lessons become very beneficial unless your rink offers a group dance class.
So, don't limit your self to just inlines, because learning both inlines and quads will help the other one. If your passion is to dance, then go with the quads for indoor skating and leave the inlines for outdoor skating.
Good Luck.....learn all you can and the more you learn the more your passion will grow.
