Facts about Inline Skates You Must Know

It is an interesting journey how roller skate came into being. From its first appearance at a London stage show in 1743, the race began to develop a stable set of skates. It was not until 1876 that the first patent of a near-modern day skate was completed, and only the 1880s when commercial production of the roller skates began. What began as a mere source of entertainment very fast became a worldwide sport.  The Rollerblade Company was the first to come out with the inline skates used today. Their design was much more popular than the traditional quads, and soon became the standard design for all skates in the inline variety.Inline Skates of Today Also known as rollerblades, these skates differ from the quad ones in the arrangement of wheels. They have three, four, or five wheels all arranged in a single file. Most do not have a braking system and require what is known as a 'heel' stop; however, those made for recreational purposes do provide one. These skates first came into existence as a custom design made for a Russian ice skater, and later the Rollerblade Inc. famously trademarked them into a brand in itself. The various parts of this skate are:1 Boot- the boot design is made to enable skaters with a good ankle support and also helps them control the skate. A high boot or a low boot is used depending on the purpose. For those into speed skating, a special carbon filter boot with low cut allows them more flexibility in movement. Other features are the use of a hard boot or soft boot, mainly used by speed skaters.2 Frame- skates made for recreational purposes and kids skates are more commonly made of plastic. For speed skates, special carbon fibre frames or even those made of aluminium ensure a smooth ride for the skater. Carbon fibre frames offer flexibility to the ankles. 3 Ball bearings- these allow the wheels of the skate to move freely in a smooth motion. 4 Wheels- all wheels are made from special plastic called polyurethane. The wheel size differs for different skating style a does the thickness of the wheel.5 Brakes- available in the more recreational skates manufactured, these come attached to the heel of the skate. Inline skating is categorized as an extreme sport and it is important for anyone venturing in this sport, for recreation or as a professional sportsperson, they invest in a good pair of skates. There are many brands available in the market to choose from. Also, there are many skater accessories to choose from like wrist guards, elbow pads and knee caps to make skating a pleasurable experience for all.

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