Insight on Inline Skating by Dominique Laroche

Our long-awaited spring is finally here! Time to put away that shovel, dust off your bike and enjoy our beautiful waterfront bike path. Or better yet, why not go for a leisurely inline skate from Cornwall to Long Sault? And if the thought of that is equivalent to the sound of nails on a chalk board, I know you’re not alone! And I’m here to help you learn to enjoy inline skating like so many of us do!

If you don’t like skating because you feel you can’t skate well enough, just keep in mind that it’s simply a matter of time and practice before you get comfortable. If that is you, don’t attempt the bike bath just yet, and stick to the track we have in front of the bandshell in Lamoureux park. It’s always best to get started on a flat surface, with soft grass around you.

If you love ice skating but find inline skating uncomfortable and hate the vibrating feeling under your feet, it’s more common that you think. The first generation of inline skates were very heavy and the wheels, mostly made of hard plastic, gave a rough ride.

But the newer inline skates are now lighter, with soft, gel-like wheels to absorb the bumps in the road! If you have bought inline skates at a bargain department store, unfortunately, you won’t get that nice soft and cushioned feeling since most of them were not made for your comfort but simply for an attractive price tag.

If you want to enjoy your time skating, and glide effortlessly,  look for a skate from brands like K2 and Rollerblade. These leaders in the industry offer superior soft boots with plenty of support.  They come with nice large wheels that absorb vibration and bearings that make the wheels turn with ease.  So you can skate effortlessly, even into a strong wind.

And the best news is that in-line skates have dropped dramatically in price in recent years. You can now get a good, comfortable pair of skates for $129.99. That is no more than you will pay for quality running shoes.

As with most sporting goods, the key to maximum enjoyment is proper fit.

At Play It Again Sports, we’ll help you find the proper fit, and the best model to fit your foot shape.

And at Play It Again Sports, you can always get a deal if you bring in gently-used sporting goods to trade in. With a trade, you never pay full price!

Inline skating is a great, low-impact workout that let’s you enjoy the great outdoors and Cornwall’s amazing waterfront scenery. All at an affordable price!