Backwards skating

People who learn to skate from roller derby boot camps / fresh meat intakes don't do a lot of backwards skating. They're too busy comparing knee socks and knocking each other over, and I respect that.  However backwards skating is THE BEST. It's almost like roller skates were designed to go backwards, why else would they put the stopper on the front?

Really though, everyone should be comfortable skating backwards backwards, you never know when you might need it, and if you don't want to look 'fresh meat' while you're doing it you need to follow these basic rules.

1. Don't lean forwards.

When you learn to skate forwards you learn that leaning forwards slightly is good for your balance. It counters the 'falling backwards doing windmills with your arms' feeling that you're always going to experience while your bottom half is travelling faster than your top half. Here's the obvious point that people don't get at first: backwards skating is the opposite to forwards skating. Now your feet are pushing backwards and your top half is getting dragged along, so you're falling forwards (or make that FACE-wards) naturally.  Leaning forwards even more is counter productive, until you get your balance.  The next time you're skating backwards keep your knees bent but try to shift your weight ever so slightly backwards towards your back wheels.  Just move it a little bit at a time and I guarantee you'll feel more comfortable, which will mean more confidence.


2. Don't distribute your weight evenly between your feet

This is key.  When you skate forwards you move your weight for one leg to the other, and back again. It keeps you mobile, let's you move your hips and lift up your feet.  When people start skating backwards they plant both feet on the floor and it all goes to hell. Don't do this! Skating backwards and skating forwards share the same basic principles, keep moving your weight from left to right, even if you're keeping both skates on the floor. If you're leaning forwards with your centre of gravity right between your feet you're not going to be able to skate fluidly, forwards OR backwards. Think about it!

3. Look over your shoulder

Get used to it because if you're ever not doing it, that will be the exact moment someone skates out in front of you. Yes, it hurts your neck at first, but you do get used to it. Once you get your balance weight distributed properly weaving in and out of people is a piece of cake.

4. Backwards crossovers

There's a million ways to do this but the main point is that if you're going anti clockwise, as normal, and backwards, then your right (inside) foot needs to be further back, and the left foot out in front. Your weight needs to shift to the right foot as its pushing behind the left foot towards the outside of the rink/track. As it passes behind you, shift your weight to your left foot and pull your right foot back in.

That's all there is to it really, just be aware of where your weight is positioned and stay fluid.

REVIEW: Voltage Skate Bag

Total pile of shit. Got one of these to put skates in, thought it would be handy if I was on my bike, but it just isn't fit to carry skates.  

1. You can barely fit a standard pair of derby skates in.  The picture I saw online had inlines in it which would seem impossible.

2. Once in, the plastic clips just won't stay closed. They just keep popping out once the slightest pressure is applied.

3. Even if you get them to stay closed, the skates just won't stay in one place. They flap about like they just WANT to fall out.

4. You can't get anything at all in the main compartment whatsoever. Might as well not even have one.

Might work for skateboards, but if you're thinking about saving money by buying this instead of the Atom backpack, don't waste your time.  Also the checkerboard pattern is kind of neat, but unless you're a 16 year old girl, or massively into ska, forget it.

REVIEW: Riedell R3

When you start looking at buying skates you're likely horrified by the prices.  Unless you're rich, and you can afford to be the guy or girl who can barely stand up on their brand new Antiks (in which case, everyone hates you. Don't kid yourself).  The rest of us have to choose carefully, but luckily for us there are only a few real options for a skating newbie - the Riedell R3 and the Sure Grip GT-50 spring to mind, there's also a Jackson one I think. All are around the £100 mark, and none of them offer anything that the others don't. The only difference is the fit, eg the GT-50 being reportedly wider than the narrower R3. I got the R3, so here's what I thought...

LOOKS: They're plain black, just like ALL THE OTHER SKATES. seriously I can barely tell the entry level skates apart they all look so similar. I guess no-one can complain because there's nothing to complain about. They're neat, with no shitty decals, save for the discreet riedell badge on the side and branding on the strap. The strap branding wears off after a few skates though. They look good, if unimaginative.

FIT: I found them narrow, but not uncomfortable. The main problem is that the shape of the toe box is, like all Riedell skates, designed for some sort of weirdo with pointed toes.  The result of this is that everyone's always left with about half an inch to an inch gap at the end of their skate, which means it's never a snug fit.  This seems to be the price you pay for buying into the entry level end of the market. I take a uk size 10 and bought US 11 which would be my normal size.

CUSTOMISATION: You should consider this, as most people will have their first derby style skates for awhile so they'll replace the plate at some point. Mainly because given the choice of replacing the boot or plate, most choose plate as it affect performance, new boots will mostly affect comfort which isn't as exciting for some reason.  Riedell R3 are HORRIBLE for remounting plates. The heel is so small you're massively limited to where you can realistically drill, and if you've just bought an Avenger plate you might not get it where you wanted it.  Some skate shops recommend buying a larger plate than normal to give yourself more room but this defeats the point on buying an Avenger, which is a shorter wheel base, not to mention adding to the weight.  It's still possible though, it just won't reach right to the end of the toe. I've mounted a few and no-ones had any problems, it was just a pain to mount.

WHEELS: replace them, unless you're a fan of sliding out on corners, but keep them for skating outdoors where they're strangely efficient.  Get the 'Roller Derby Fresh Meat' look buy replacing them with 8 poisons, then complain that you can't plow stop.

VERDICT: does it matter? They're all the same at this price range, so just get whichever fits better. You'll probably upgrade to leather boots after a year if you keep it up, so don't worry so much about scuffing the toes