Skater Buds

I remember working two jobs throughout college in order to save up enough money for my first vehicle, a ’73 Ford Pinto. Up until I bought that car, I was forced to get around town with nothing but my skate shoes. The Pinto certainly wasn’t the nicest car on the planet, but I had earned it myself and, therefore, I was proud to drive it.

Today the kids in my neighborhood consider it a travesty and personal affront if their parents don’t bestow a $30,000 car to them for their 16th birthday. There is a puzzling amount of entitlement for doing absolutely nothing. Personally, I think everyone should have to buy their own vehicle or, at the very least, drive one of their parents’ old cars. Maybe kids these days would have a little moral fiber if they were forced to hoof it everywhere or use public transportation.

During my youth I always heard adults gripe about the unfairness of childhood; how it’s wasted on the youth, who don’t really appreciate it. I always thought I was different. I told myself I valued my freedom and recognized its fleeting nature, but it wasn’t until it was gone that I truly discovered its worth. Now I would give anything to be free from my social and economic responsibilities.

These feelings manifest themselves most fully during the summertime, when teenagers go to bed at dawn, wakeup after noon and spend the entire day at their leisure; and if they do have jobs, they typically are working outside in the sunshine. Although I am just a few years removed from that age of innocence, I already pine for rolling down the streets late at night with my lighted roller skate wheel shining, hanging out with my friends for hours on end and not caring what tomorrow brought.

It seems like all people have certain objects, films and pastimes that are an inextricable component of their childhood narrative. For me and other youngsters of the 80s and 90s, these often include Power Rangers, Disney movies and Hello Kitty. There are certain items, however, that seem to transcend generations and never go out of style. One of these timeless products that embody childhood is street gliders.

Some people refer to them as roller skates, but they will always be street gliders to me. The thing that makes them so appealing is there accessibility. Unlike bicycles, you can easily go up curbs, jump down stair and navigate your way through crowded areas. There is also an abundance of games you can play on them, such as hockey or tag.

Every Friday night my the local roller skating rink they offer midnight skating. Usually the establishment is brimming with the local youth, but midnight skating is for adults only and serves as a viable alternative to the local bar scene. In fact, that is where I met my current girlfriend a few months back.

They often turn the lights down low for the event, and it can be difficult to see who you are skating with. However, I noticed a set of lighted skate wheels next to me that were moving in perfect harmony to the music. I quickly took the opportunity to engage the lovely lady, and we have been going out ever since.

Getting your kids off of the couch can be a challenge for any parent in this day and age. From DVR to video games, there always is some stimulating form of entertainment at a kid’s fingertips. One of the secrets to getting your kids motivated to play outside and stay active is by cultivating an athletic mindset at an early age.

The best way to do this is by making active play fun and treating it as a reward instead of a punishment. Many parents take away video games and other electronics to curb bad behavior, but this only makes your child want those things that much more. I make a point of buying my kids entertaining and engaging toys, like Street Glider skate shoes and sports equipment, which encourages them to get outside.

[Please note that most skating tricks involving skates or a street glider is usually done by professionals.  This blog does not condone unsafe tricks or skates to be used by amateurs in all forms of trickery.  Skate at your own risk, but the purpose of this post is purely informative]

This is a skating category where skaters do “slides”. “Sliding” is often done on smooth flat surfaces. It involves placing one or both feet in perpendicular direction to which they are currently moving (e.g. skater is moving North, however, one or both of his feet may be facing East or West, taking reference from the direction from which the heel to the toes face for the feet direction).

Consequently, the skater slows down. However, the rate at which he or she slows down largely depends on how much pressure is being applied to the foot/feet that are “sliding”. It is a form of stylistic skating where attention is paid to the footwork. There are fewer slides than tricks in “sliding” compared to aggressive skating but they often share the same names as they are done similarly to grinds in aggressive skating.

These days, kids are known to be more active in what is known as X games or alternative sports.  Back in the days, roller skating was known as a hobby or socializing activity.  Nowadays, kids roller skate for sport.  As a matter of fact, roller skate designers have revolutionized the general look and feel of the skates.  Some designs are more streamlined for use in competitions and races.

The otherwise laid back reputation of the roller skate has now turned edgy and cool.  Tricks and stunts have been tried and perfected.  Roller derbies have given way to roller parks complete with platforms and tunnels.  Parks are brimming with roller skating enthusiasts, hell bent on perfecting their skills.  Sports shops and hobby stores come out with advertising campaigns aimed towards kids and young adults, promoting roller skating as the newest, hippest alternative sports craze after skateboarding.

The first recorded years of roller skates was in 1743 in London. The skate was used as a stage performance. 17 years later John Merlin designed an inline skate with metal wheels.

By the 1880’s roller skates were being massed produced in America. Skates usually come in two different varieties, quad roller skates and inline skates or blades.

For the skateboarder, rollerblader, BMX cyclist, snowboarder, or razor scooter enthusiast on your holiday shopping list, it’s not always easy to know what to buy.  Here are a few gift ideas sure to slake their interest in extreme supports

• Street Gliders – these fun new-age skates with their flashing lights are great for nighttime fun and promote safety as well.
• Protective Pads – these get scuffed up and wear out so fast that it’s almost never too soon to purchase another set.
• Extreme Sports Games – if your extreme sports enthusiast happens to own a video game console, chances are they would appreciate games like Amped, Pure, or Tony