From Inline to Roller

Question
Hi Pat,

I know how to inline skate...but I've never roller skated.  How similar are the two?

Do you have any thoughts on how fast I can pick up roller skating...maybe like in twenty minutes?  

Answer
Hi,
  It won't take you long to pick it up.  If you can inline,  you may find roller a little easier.  The main thing is you won't have to feel like you have to lean forward with roller skates.  You really want to try to keep the weight over the ankle and towards the back wheel.  Where inlines tend to make you want to tip forward.

  Just take it slow at first so you can find your balance point then pick up the pace when you start to feel comfortable.   Roller skates will seem faster, so don't push as hard as you do with your inlines until you get the feel for them.  

  The only thing I've found that make these two similar are that they both have wheels.  lol    The balance point is quite different but pushing is the same.  Stopping of couse is different because you don't have a brake in the back.  If you have toe stops on the roller skates just place 99 % of your weight on the one that's not being use to stop and drag the toe gently of the one you want to use to stop with.  If you feel like you want to do the splits when you stop, just press your knees together, then use the toe stop.   Unlike roller blades, you cannot touch these skates (wheels) together or you will be on the ground.

   Have fun, I'm sure it will take you no time at all to get the feel for it.

Pat