OK to Carry Skates and Tools on Airplanes?

From CT Skate: "Does anyone have any tips for air travel with skates? Any issues with security? I'm planning a trip to Southern California and want to bring my skates."

Buggy Rollin' Man Video Clip

Here is a video clip of the incredible French Buggy Rollin' man Jean-Yves Blondeau rolling down a hill in full body armor plus a rare photo of him not wearing his Buggy Rollin' suit.

Help for Aching Ankles

From Sk8r Jean: "What products have you guys found effective for ankle pain relief? I'm looking for something lightweight with slight compression that I can wear only around my ankle while skating (as opposed to around the foot and ankle, with an opening for the heel - since those cut off my circulation and cause painful foot cramps no no matter what size I try)"

Skater's Ankles Lean Inward

From VodkaCarrot: "I realize, from someone's observation, that when I skate, my ankles tend to lean inwards. How can I resolve this? "

How Old is Too Old to Skate?

From Rennvogel: "I have been a runner for many years and am seriously looking into in-line skating now. I was wondering if a young 49 year old is a little too old to start in-line skating. What do you think? Any other 40+ year olds out there that can relate some experiences?"

Comment Insulted Roller Derby Girls

From mpudiwitr: "There are some teams that are showy and fight-y, but to generalize all of derby with the above referenced statement is a real insult to those of us who work as hard as real athletes."

Skate and Wallking Shoe Combo

From SkatingOnAir: "In the walking state, the rollers are actually in the sole and are prevented from rolling through friction with the undersole/bladder. In the skating state, the bladder drops the rollers so they contact the pavement."

Roller Girl Needs Skating Trophy

From Momi: "I skate for the Charm City Roller Girls and I'm looking for a source of trophies or awards that have either quad skates or roller skaters on them..."

Bont's New Semi-Race Skate

In 2007 Bont will offer a new skate called the "Semi-Race", targeted to skaters who want the comfort of a fitness skate and the performance of a speed skate. Here's the information released by Bont so far...

Get Paid to Write About Skating

About.com has a job opening for an inline skating editor.

Tahiti Marathon is Permanently Cancelled

Tahiti Marathon organizer Christopher Pierre has announced that the skating portion of the February 2007 Tahiti Marathon has been cancelled due to lack of interest in recent years.

Hyper Humphreys or True-Rev Wheels?

From CBarrett017: "Does anyone have any experience with the new Hyper 100 millimeter Humphreys? True-Rev also makes a 100 millimeter wheel but I have no idea about those either..."

Is Drafting Mandatory at a Marathon?

One of the reasons many recreational skaters don't try skating marathons is they feel like marathons are a completely different animal then the kind of skating they normally do. They think they have to wear speed skates, a skinsuit, skate in a paceline, etc.

Any Tips for Learning Crossover Turns?

From Rab23: "I taught myself to skate on inlines last summer, however I never knew anything about a cross over until I got to a skating rink and saw everybody doing it, I've given it a few attempts on inlines and I'm making small progress. How do you actually do it?"

What Are Your Speed Skating Plans for 2007?

Which races around the world are you planning to skate in 2007?

Can Skate Wheels Be Cleaned in a Dishwasher?

From Motosk8ter: "Can skate wheels be washed in the dishwasher? Meets all the requirements, water, soap etc..."

Transitioning to Speed Skates

From DMoore: "After months of reading forums to learn about inline equipment, I finally made the leap to speed skates. Other than telling me to just get out there and skate, are there any words of advice while going through this major period of adjusting?"

Cleaning Bearings With a Needle (Video Clip)

Dutch Skillwilly posted a video clip demonstrating how he uses a needle to unassemble and clean his skate bearings. Very cool!

Is Mogema Getting Out of the Skate Business?

Rumors are floating around that Mogema is getting out of the ice skate and inline skate business. Is it true?

Bont and RAPS are Teaming Up

From an October 16, 2006 press release: "Bont Australia and Raps Holland have announced that they have signed a long term distribution agreement for Europe. The agreement will also include both companies manufacturing skate parts for each other..."

Skating With a Bad Leg Wrap

From Spins: "From time to time I've heard the phrase that a certain artistic skater has a bad leg wrap on a jump but I never understood the meaning. If someone gets through a jump and lands, what is the big deal with how the leg goes with the skater?"

How to Heat Mold Speed Boots

From Oferyko: "Since my dealer forgot to supply me with instruction on how to heat mould my boots, can anyone give me some tips?. "

Show Us Your Feet

Skaters are sharing photos of what skating has done to their feet!

What is the Best Brand of Bearings?

From MaherWoman: "What is the best brand of bearings? I've been told Bones Swiss is sworn-by as the best, is this true?"

Extreme Ice Skating

Two Web sites are promoting the new sport of extreme ice skating. What do you think about that sport? Would you try it?

California Skating Rink Bans Roller Dancers

From RollerDanceMan: "Recently at our regular R&B rink skating session the manager got on the mike and said that we can no longer dance in the middle of the floor. I spend 95% of my time in the middle. Can you imagine the shock on everyones face??? Has anyone else gone through this madness, and if so what did you do?"

Which Makes Nicer Legs - Skating or Running?

Do the legs of runners and skaters develop differently? Show us a photo of your skater legs.

New Roller Derby Skater Needs Advice

From StinkBomb: "After a few laps or a real push the tops of my feet and my ankles start burning like hell and my legs shake. I want to develop more endurance and strength..."

Skater Experiencing Foot Arch Pain

From Huy: "The middle of my foot aches whenever I rollerblade for more than 10 minutes. Here's a picture showing where it hurts..."

PIC vs. SnowWhite Artistic Inline Frames

From Zerio: "I've seen the SnowWhite artistic frames in videos but the spins have no speed. Only camels and traveling camels could be performed. How about PIC frames? I Haven't seen any videos to compare them, but only photos of a woman skating outdoors doing toe spins and other acrobatic stuff, but no axels or toe loops..."

Inline Speedskate Wheel Manufacturers

Who are the main inline speed skate wheel manufacturers, and what are each companies specialties, strengths, and weaknesses?

Crowded Roller Skating Rinks ...ARGH!!!

From MaherWoman: "Did I have a frustrating time in the rink today! They were having FIVE birthday parties and I spent more time dodging unpredictable, irritating kids and fallen bodies than actually skating."

Is Inline Skating Perceived as a Gay Sport?

From Sk8Scott: "Like it or not, the mainstream young American male is homophobic and equates male inline skating with male homosexuality. This intimidates them and others out of trying the sport, if their laziness hasn't already deterred them. Feats of speed, endurance, and/or grace aren't "manly" in the USA if lycra is involved..."

Skating With Weights

From Ice Ramps: "I'm trying to maximize my limited skate time (limited being around 15-20 hours per week of inline skating and ice skating combined) by using a 20 pound weighted vest along with 5 pound ankle weights. Anyone else done this type of work out? Pros? Cons?"

New Skater is Experiencing Back Pain

From Kataris: "After skating for 10-20 minutes, I develop a pain in my lower back, almost like my muscles there are contracting and trying to bend my back in half. Anyone else experience this? Or know how to keep it from happening?"

A2A Results, Reports, and Photos

Skaters who did 87 miles, 52 miles, or 38 miles in the October 1, 2006 Athens to Atlanta Road Skate are posting their reports and photos here. If you skated that event, tell us about your experience!

How To Prevent and Treat a Foot Blister

From MaherWoman: "I had a VERY painful, red, slightly swollen blister, and since putting one of those pads on it about three hours ago, there's been a drastic improvement..."

Do All Skaters Need To Wear Helmets?

Do only speed skaters and outdoor recreational skaters need to wear helmets? What about slalom skaters, roller dancers, artistic skaters, and recreational skaters in a roller rink? Do you favor mandatory helmet laws?

A2A 2006 Results and Reports

Here are the results of the 87 mile Athens to Atlanta race in Georgia USA on October 1, 2006. Watch for reports from our forum visitors who skated A2A in the next few days.

Speed Skate Wheel Manufacturers

Who are the main inline speed skate wheel manufacturers, and what are each companies specialties, strengths, and weaknesses?