u/Top-Dinner-9995

I just came across this guy on ig so I thought I’d share for all my learn to fall safely folks! He’s a professional stuntman and has a few “how to fall” videos including some on skates. I think they’re pretty helpful! I have always learned to fall on my pads (roller derby) but lately I’ve been falling on one wrist a lot at the skatepark and it is starting to hurt even with my wrist guard. I might need to use some of this guy’s tips because apparently falling directly on my pointy parts isn’t the best idea!

(Btw this is more rollerskating adjacent though it is related to me falling while skating. Apologies if not allowed!)

I guess I’m pretty much just venting but I want to share my skate fitting/purchasing woes in case it helps someone or in case someone else can relate and lend a virtual hug. lol

I have lost around 50 lbs in the past 6 months of my 70lb goal. Working with a Dr, trainer, diet, exercise (skating and lifting), meds, the works so I’m happy about the progress! However- I did not realize that my feet could shrink significantly! In the past few months that I have been back to skating a lot again, I have bought 2 pairs of skates- Suregrip Boardwalks, measured and fitted at an IRL skate shop, and just recently secondhand Bont Parkstars because I’ve been getting really into park skating, sized using my previous measurements and the Bont website.

Ive been having this issue lately where my skates feel comfortable at first but after a few minutes I feel like I need to constantly adjust them. My skating has also been feeling way sloppier and my feet hurt. I remeasured my feet and come to find out that my feet have shrunk in both length and width so now my skates are at least a half size too big. I know it was probably a bit stupid to buy skates without remeasuring FIRST but I literally had no idea that my feet could change so much in a short period of time! So frustrating!

Has anyone been to Woodward in PA and would be willing to share their experience? There’s an adult camp over Labor Day weekend for all of the sports, including roller skating and Woodward is only a couple hours from me. I am a beginner park skater but have become totally obsessed with it and I’ve been progressing pretty well (and I already have an extensive skating background). That weekend is right in between the week of my 44th birthday and my 4 year sober-versary and I just thought it would be a cool way to celebrate how far I’ve come even if I couldn’t do ALL of the things at the park (I wouldn’t do the super duper high vert ramp but I DO want to flip into the foam pit really badly lol) And who knows how many years I have left to try stuff like that?

I’m just wondering a) if other roller skaters actually go and b) if it would be a bad idea to go with only a few months of solid park experience.

Thanks for your help!! 🙏

Wholesome story time: I am not new to skating but I am a skate park beginner. I‘m embarrassed to admit how many times I’ve driven to the skate park, taken one look at the crowd, and hauled ass on out of there. 😂

So I went really early this morning to avoid the crowd. I skated around, practiced pumping a bit and stuck to a very small non-threatening area. I felt awkward and weird but I was making slow progress.

About an hour in a little kid showed up on a skateboard, inexplicably alone, and started zipping around like he owned the place. Little dude rolled right up to me with a big smile and said “you look kinda scared”. I said I am kinda scared! He said come on I’m 10 and I’m not scared! With little kid bravado, he started lightheartedly razzing me. I was a bit taken aback but I joked back with him saying well maybe when I’m 60 I’ll be as good as you are! He said I think you’re old enough now- rollerskating looks EASY! 😂

Now I’m not normally one to be peer pressured by children (as a mother, I’d be doomed!) but this kid got me laughing at myself. He pointed out some smaller features that I hadn’t tried, daring me to go for it. I tried a few things and in no time I was skating around way more parts of the park than I had before just laughing at this rude but encouraging little kid. I think I just had to let loose and take myself less seriously. Soon after, a bunch more adults and kids showed up and he joined them so I think he got there early waiting for his group to arrive.

Moral of the story- you never know who will teach you something if you show up and try something new!