So, you're ready to Go to the Line, but wait... one more decision: Indoors or outdoors? Inline or quads? Indoor Inline speed skating is organized through the sport's governing body (USARs), and uses a 100-meter indoor oval track(mostly meets are organized and held through local roller rinks. Race divisions and distances are just as varied as the floor surfaces and wheels used. Skaters can participate in racing as individuals or as part of a team. Indoor racing can be just as much fun for the kids as it is for the masters. Indoor inline not your thing, quad speed rollerskate divisions are available to race, too. Remember, what the door mouse said: rollerskating is where it all started.
Many of the Indoor national events organized by URAR's also include outdoor component, a Road skate, or Banked Track. There are many (though, numbers of events are falling) independently organized outdoor skating events, be it 5K, 10k, or 1/2 or Full Marathon (26.1 miles). Some long-standing events are A2A, the NY Marathon, Northshore. Younger events pop up come & go, and know that it takes a village to keep these events happening. Events abroad can also be fun, Berlin, Paris, or Spain being some key destinations.
Banked track skating is limited by the number of tracks available in the USA, while our skating friends abroad seem to relish in hte fact that tracks are as common as basketball courts or soccer fields, maybe... one day. Banked tracks are typically 200 meters in length, and of smooth, sometimes sealed concrete.
- Indoor races, you'll require indoor wheels for the floor type.
- Outdoor races, you'll require outdoor wheels for asphalt/concrete, and
- Outdoor track(banked) you'll want wheels especially designed for the tracks surface.
Racing can be a career, intimidating, a ton of work, or just absolute fun. No matter how you're wired, an adrenaline junkie or funster, racing is a great way to set goals for yourself, meet other like-minded folks with your same passion, and make strides forward, whether on wheels or ice.
Events are great ways to set individual goals with your skating, physical and technical abilities are placed under the microscope - have you been training? Is all that training paying off? Or, do you just want to go, hang with those of like-minds and roll. The latter is where many people choose to enter events. Sure, it may be a race, but who says you have to race? Have fun, enjoy the course, the venue.
There was a time when Inline skating races were popular, remember the 90's... I do! While I may not get to race a marathon in Tahiti any time soon, it's memory still lingers when I lace up my skates. Skating destinations can bring lifelong enjoyment. When was the last time your bearing seized up crossing the finish line after skating 26 miles in the rain, and yet you were still smiling? Call me a hopeless, skating romantic...
~ Kim Kraan
skateNOW host events, racing and tours, and hopes you'll connect with us to share in one of our skating experiences. We also love to hear our clients' skating stories, please share with us on our media pages. And, when you need gear to create your own skating memories, you know where to find us.