In a country most often known for its hockey prowess, Canada seems like an unlikely place to be roller skating. But roller skating has become one of the most trendiest sports to take up in nearly every city, with skaters popping everywhere from Toronto to Vancouver.
As with nearly every trend, social media may be the main driver, along with the fact that skating is fun, social, and can be done in a variety of contexts. A quick look at Tiktok will show you inspiring videos of expert roller skaters gliding and spinning down city streets or dancing to a catchy pop song. While it may take hours and hours of practice to get to that level of confidence and expertise, you can still be a total beginner and have a blast on skates.
What is roller skating anyways? Rollerskating is the sport or activity of gliding and moving around on roller skates, which look like boots with wheels attached. Some people skate using inline skates or roller blades, where narrow wheels are positioned in a line. Quad skates are another option: these are skates with two pairs of wide wheels.
Roller skating is fantastic for anyone looking for a new and fun way to stay fit and active, to get from one place to another, or simply to walk the dog or spend time with friends. Skates are relatively inexpensive to purchase, and are easy to maintain. You can dance on skates, speed around your neighbourhood, or glide around a park to enjoy an evening outside. If you already know how to ice skate, you will be more than prepared to start skating.
Those new to skating will probably be wondering how to get the best roller skating gear. Which brands make the best skates? Are inline skates better than quads? What other equipment will you need to skate safely? If you have been wondering how and where to start shopping for skates, you have arrived at the right place. This article will get you started on your skating journey, and help you to make the best decisions when purchasing your first pair.
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Where Do I Purchase Roller Skates?
Making the Decision to Purchase
Roller skates are a major purchase, with most skates costing at least $120 - so you’ll want to make sure you are getting the right ones. The first question to determine is whether or not you will really like roller skating: if you’ve never tried it, start by renting a pair at your local roller skating rink or plaza and give them a whirl.
While many people will fall in love with skating right away, it is also important to consider how often you will use the skates. What you want to avoid is having a pair of skates that simply sits in the closet: if you don’t see yourself putting skates on and practicing regularly, you may find that skate rentals are a sufficient option.
New or Used Skates?
One thing to consider when skate shopping is whether you want brand new skates or used ones. While there is a certain pleasure that comes with having brand new items, it can be costly. There are plenty of high quality used skates on the market, and some may even be practically brand new! Used skates are also typically cheaper than their brand new counterparts, and you may even save on tax if you purchase from an individual. Purchasing used items is also more eco-friendly, so if supporting the environment is important to you it is another good reason to keep an eye out for used skates. Used skates are also great if you are buying for kids who will likely grow out of their skates by the following year.
Brand new skates are perfect for those who want a specific style, like the convenience of walking in and out of a store or website, and have a bigger budget to spend. Shopping brand you will also enable you to access the latest styles, whether you want a retro quad skate with unique details or the most aerodynamic blades. Purchasing brand new is also incredibly convenient, which is great for the busy shopper.
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Where to Shop
Where you purchase your skates can be important: do you want to support a small business, do you prefer the convenience of big box stores, or do you feel comfortable with purchasing a pair of skates online?
If you are a novice skater you will probably want to avoid shopping online for your first pair, as you will want to try them on for size and comfort. Get to know the fit and feel of skates by trying them on in-store; ones that do not fit properly will cause your feet to blister. Of course, if online shopping is your preferred method, you can always purchase several pairs and keep only the ones you want: just be ready to deal with returns!
The best websites for roller skates in Canada include Dolls Kiill, Skatepro, Angel’s Skate, Roller Skate Nation, Rollergirl, Rollerskatin, and Retro Rollers. These sites deliver across Canada and are focused solely on skates. You’ll also find skates (especially roller blades or inline skates) at more typical online retailers like Amazon, Decathlon, Canadian Tire and SportChek.com.
Canadians that want to shop in store can try on skates at their favourite independent retailer. Here are some lists of independent and skate shops in some of Canada’s major cities.
Toronto
- Nitro Skate Shop
- Shop Task Skates
- Proskaters Place
- Newson’s
- Play it Again Sports
Vancouver
- Rollergirl
- Shop Task Skates
- The Drive Skateshop
- Skates Market
- Skull Skates
Montreal
- Boutique Rollin
- Lowlife MTL
- Boutique Solo Inline
- Boutique Rollin
- Empire
Edmonton
- Toe Stop Derby Shop
- Pro Skate
- Skates Market
Across Canada, stores like SportChek and Canadian Tire are easy-to-find sources for roller skates and blades.
How do I Find Rollerblading Near Me?
Finding the right place to rollerblade will be easy for a lot of people, especially when the weather is warm and dry. You can pretty much rollerblade anywhere you have a smooth, paved surface. Local bike paths are perfect for blading, as the ground is often smooth and you won’t have to worry about the traffic. If you don’t live near a bike path, simply park near one and enjoy a morning or afternoon of skating. A great place to roller skate are bike paths that run alongside lakes and rivers, as you will enjoy a beautiful view while gliding along.
Experienced skaters will not have a problem skating on streets though you will want to avoid busy thoroughfares. Remember that sidewalks are best left for children and pedestrians, so avoid skating on sidewalks whenever you can. Skate parks are also great places where you can blade and practice tricks on ramps. Skate parks are a little harder to find, so you may find yourself Googling one and having to drive over.
You can also skate at indoor roller skating rinks, where you may also find great music and snacks. These venues are perfect for a roller derby, meeting with friends for a social skate, or simply having an active afternoon when it is wet or snowy outside.
Wherever you decide to skate, it’s important that you have the appropriate gear to skate safely. A helmet and knee and elbow pads will prevent you from any major injuries, and make sure you wear clothing that is breathable and easy to wear.
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What is Quad Skating?
Quad skating is simply skating with quad skates, or skates with 2 sets of wide wheels. These skates are associated with retro skating and roller derby culture. These skates are fashionable in their own right, and usually boast designs that are reminiscent of the 70s and 80s. Quad skating has its own challenges as you may find it takes a bit more work to keep balanced. But once you learn, you will find yourself engaging in one of the most trendiest and coolest types of skating. Get inspired with quad skate dancing videos on Youtube or Tiktok!
Where Can My Child Learn How to Skate?
If you have a child that is interested in skating, you may be able to find a local class or lessons at a roller skating club or skate shop. Roller skating lessons for kids are not as common as you think, so be prepared to drive a bit further out of your neighbourhood if necessary. You can also teach your child yourself: you’ll find plenty of videos on YouTube to get inspired beforehand and learn some safety tips and tricks.
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Are There Adult Learn to Skate Classes?
Adult roller skating classes may be easier to find as skating has had renewed popularity in recent years. As with kids classes, look into skating clubs or ask at your local roller skate shop. You will find classes for beginner and advance skaters, and even those who want to participate in roller derby.
Hire a Private Roller Skating Teacher from Superprof
If finding a group lesson is too challenging in your area, why not consider hiring a private roller skating teacher? Private lessons are the perfect option for anyone that has a busy schedule or lives in an area without a lot of options for group classes. If you have a group of friends that wants to learn together, why not split the cost of a private teacher to make it even more economical?
A private teacher will also accelerate your learning, which is great for those who don’t have the time or patience to learn on their own. You’ll learn how to balance, move quickly, and stop with ease.
Superprof makes it easy to find a roller skating teacher. Simply use the search function on the site and find a local skating teacher near you. They can meet you safely in a convenient area, whether it is a local park or rink, and teach you all the basics you need to know about roller skating on quad or inline skates. If you are looking to learn for a specific purpose, like competitive racing, roller dancing, or roller skating in a specific context, then your instructor can tailor the lesson just for you.
The Superprof site makes it easy to connect with local roller skating teachers: you can message them through the site to check availability or simply to gauge if they will be a good fit. You can even pay your teachers safely through the site’s pay feature or Paypal option.
Learn how to roller skate with a private tutor on Superprof today!
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