In-Line Skating Different Surfaces FAQ

by Orlando C. Fernando

Version 3.0

Updated: July 9, 2000

The purpose of this guide is to help out many newcomers and intermediates of in-line skating on how to handle or avoid different types of terrain and weather conditions. More will be added as time goes on.

UPDATE FROM REVISION 2: Pictures added.
UPDATE FROM REVISION 1: Reorganized FAQ by scene and surface. Much new info added.

By Scene
1.1 Parking Lots
1.2 Parks
1.3 Beaches
1.4 Downtown
1.5 Parkways
By Surface
2.1 Ultra Smooth Surfaces
2.2 Casual Smooth Surfaces
2.3 Sidewalks
2.4 Boardwalks
2.5 Tight Wooden Dock Planks
2.6 Tight Brick
2.7 Wet Surfaces
2.8 Sewage Gratings & Manhole Covers

Section 1: By Scene

1.1: Parking Lots

Parking lots are the best areas for beginner skaters to learn. Parking Lot lines make for good marking lines to practice jumping. Lots that have sidewalk curbs are even better for jumping, as well as a safe way to practice stepping up or stepping down a curb. If a wide open lot and you came by car, park in the center of the lot, that way when you finish your session, your car is always not far behind.

Parking cement blocks lined in a row make for an excellent slalom course, but make sure the blocks are at least some feet apart! You could always purchase at least 8 cones (like myself) and lay them out over some free spaces to do real slaloming. Cones can be purchased at toy sections of major stores.

NOTE: Be wary that some business/shopping plaza parking lots forbid in-line skating there.

1.2: Parks

Parks are among the most popular places to in-line skate, as well as to do about any other non-motorized wheel transport possible. Always skate to the right. Depending on how well the path is and season, you may have to negotiate twigs, leaves, or pop-up tree roots.

1.3: Beaches

A place to BE seen as well as to see. Sand throughout the area will be a minor or major factor in your performance. Hop on that boardwalk if you can! If you plan to walk the beach coastline, take your skates off first and carry them - DON'T WALK THEM!.

1.4: Downtown

Downtown skaters generally skate on the roads like bicyclists. Many street hazards can catch you here unless you are a seasoned intermediate skater. Skate with traffic and be wary of streetside parked cars. Obey all signs and traffic lights. If traffic is quite busy, decide whether skating the sidewalk is safer.

1.5: Parkways

For advanced skaters only! Do not skate on a parkway without generous road shoulders. Since cars are moving much faster than on downtown streets, you also need to skate against the line of traffic. This better alerts the car of your presence.

NOTE: Confirm in advance that in-line skaters are allowed on the parkway..

Section 2: By Surface

2.1: Ultra Smooth Surfaces

This is the utopia of skaters. This could be a newly fixed up and tarred parking lot with a sleek black covering. You'll actually hear some light scraping as you slalom across it as if you were on ice. A truly great feeling! :) This could also be a skating rink where, if you have new bearings, won't hear practically a thing on your skates other than the gentile gliding of your wheels. Find these locations to skate AT ALL COSTS!!! :)

2.2: Casual Smooth Surfaces

This is the majority of surface type that you'd experience (or should experience at least). This is your typical roads, park paths and parking lots.

2.3: Sidewalks

As long as each cement "plate" is fairly wide (takes about 1 1/2 steps to walk across) and not too uneven with hills and tree root bumps, it's just a slightly irregular ride. Keep to slow or cruising speed in anticipation of an occasional uneven plate as well as for busy driveways and street intersections. Smaller plates may be fine also but should involve slower skating speeds.

2.4: Boardwalks

Though bumpy and loud, boardwalks can be fun. Try not to skate at a very slow speed and you should be fine. Heel braking will feel awkward the first times you use it. If you have to stop and take off again, try to take short push-offs and get up to your desired speed as soon as possible. I'd only recommend heel and T-stops as braking techniques here.

2.5: Tight Wooden Dock Planks

See Boardwalk.

2.6: Tight Brick

One of my most hated surfaces. Here, I specifically mean when the space between two bricks side by side is barely wider than the width of a skate. When skating perpendicular to the length of the bricks (i.e., you're crossing the bricks on their long sides), it's not as bad. The difficulty is if your are skating parallel to them. It's quite easy to get one of your skates' four wheels caught in the ridge between two rows of bricks. The best way of going through this seems to always do small push-offs when you skate and never glide. Your feet will be too busy shifting to get caught in a ridge.

2.7: Wet Surfaces

If minor (result of a quick thundershower or couple minutes worth of droplets), just be careful not to push off so wide as you normally would since you'll now experience some side-sliding effects. Keep to slow cruising speeds as, like on a bike, your heel braking distance will now increase. Also, DO NOT slalom as you will have very loose control. Otherwise you should be fine. You should, however, get to dry surface as soon as possible as continued exposure will eventually ruin your bearings.

2.8: Sewage Gratings & Manhole Covers

Avoid skating over sewage gratings at all costs. Whether you run parallel to the lines in the grating or perpendicular to it, the wheels are not wide enough to grip the lines to travel. They are not even worth the risk of jumping, as with open manholes. I don't think you want to take a trip down your friendly city sewage system. Closed manhole covers, however, are another story. If a careful somewhat aggressive skater, you can clear one. Often times, you can simply glide across it safely if a good enclosed cover.