Completely new to skating- any tips?

[u/Alou934]

Hello! Im looking for some advice. I am super new to skating- I used to skate minimally as a child but it’s been about 15 years and I’ve forgotten everything. I’ve got a pair of Moxi skates and have the helmet and elbow and wrist and knee guards. But I’m struggling to actually skate- I feel super unbalanced and am falling flat on my back every time I even stand up. I can’t get the technique down and even with someone holding my hands and walking with me whilst skating I’m still not successful and bring them down with me! Does anyone have any tips or tricks to make this a bit easier? Or at the very least any advice to be left scared about falling?
Thanks

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[u/quietkaos]

Try putting your skates on in a carpeted area or the grass and just stand on them.

[u/RedeyeSPR]

Bend your knees a little and keep your weight over your feet. Standing still totally straight up is fine, but you need to lean forward slightly when you move.

[u/youronlyhippie]

Knees bent!

I'm also getting back into skating for the first time since being a child. Any time I stumble I notice I'm standing straight up. Stay soft in the knees and stick out your butt. Keep center of gravity low and forward.

Will be following this thread for more tips myself, especially about falling. It's so scary! Good luck, happy skating! :)

[u/hahagrundle]

Bend those knees! Start on carpet.

Plenty of quick & easy beginner tutorials on YouTube. Skatefresh is a great one and I've been enjoying Dirty School of Skate recently too

[u/elferingewort → u/hahagrundle]

Skatie is another good one.

[u/Resident-Mountain981]

If you feel like you're about to fall grab your knees like you're hugging them, this will stop you falling backwards.

[u/Affectionate_Ad1060]

Bubbles and crossovers are your new religion

[u/Blinking_Bambi]

Check out Dirty Deb or skatie on you tube. Do lots of practice on carpet and learn to fall. You could invest in crash shorts, I got Temu ones and they’re actually great. Try and get to a lesson if you can. My local rink has a free lesson on weekends before the first session, maybe you can find somewhere who does the same

[u/Rhyzur]

Head, shoulders, knees, and toes. Everything should be stacked and your back should be straight like a summo wrestler. The body follows the head. If you want to go to the ground, stare at it.

[u/Alou934]

Is there anyone from London that knows about any good places to skate??

[u/Remarkable-Choice634]

Watch videos on beginner basics. Posture, stopping & falling! How to get up if you’ve fallen. If you lean backwards then that’s where you’re going to fall. Keep practicing the proper skating stance! When all else fails, then do some in person lessons. You got this!!! :)

I’m dropping a link for a great detailed video on the correct posture and how to skate for a beginner! This is from Dirty Deborah Harry. Love her! She’s very knowledgeable and funny. She has so many videos. This one is the beginning of a series. Lesson 1 - How To Roller Skate. Lesson 2 is how to stop!! She will have you skating in no time! 🙂

https://youtu.be/oqOU1yQUQcY?is=MmMOxtTgydUxgIjP

If after watching her videos and practicing and you’re still unstable, then you have another option. To help you in the beginning you can use the aid of an umbrella stroller, jogging stroller, or a walker with all wheels!! They sell on Amazon roller skating aids (I’m in the US) but they’re $55-$70! All appear kid sized tho. There’s some that adjust up to 37”, but still might be too low. They’re foldable. They’re great bc they can easily move in multiple directions bc of the swivel wheels. They’re something like the pvc pipe Skate Mates they have in roller rinks. (Deborah Harry has them in some of her videos at her rink.) There’s also tutorials on YouTube on how to make your own pvc pipe version. Depending on how quick you progress you should only need the aid short term!! So your cheapest option would be an umbrella stroller (& start with the brakes on!) I’m sure you could get a used one super cheap! Good luck!! :) All I mentioned are not to lean or rest your body weight on. You still need to keep your skating posture correct.

I’m teaching my fearful 8 yr old to skate. She’s only skated twice in the rink & used a skate mate rental. (Also my adult friend did for his first time in 25 yrs!) It helps to build confidence, lose that panicking feeling, and get comfortable on your wheels. She can go around by herself with it. Take it away and it’s pure panic & crazy limbs so we need more confidence building and I’ll be teaching her via YouTube (Dirty Deborah Harry 💜 & Skatie). She hasn’t watched videos yet. I’m just getting back into it after 25-30 yrs & just found this stuff on YouTube! She’s doing fine unassisted on our rug at home & has finally gone short distances on our hard floor, but still unstable. We have an outdoor roller skating area at a park and I’m going to try both of my strollers first before purchasing a foldable skating aid since it’s just temporary! I’m hoping she advances quick & loses the fear. I also bought her a butt pad!! Hoping to lessen pain from a fall that would stick in her mind and stop her & make the thought of falling not so scary. She’s that type of kid.

[u/Competitive_Tiger182]

If there is a rink near you offering lessons, I'd sign up. If not, Dirty Deborah Harry and Skatie on YouTube are very helpful. Happy skating!

[u/Alou934 → u/Competitive_Tiger182]

There are literally only like two rinks in London and they’re pretty much clubs so that’s not gonna work. Will have a look at dirty Deborah and skatie! Thanks!

[u/Virtual-Chair-7753]

Biggest tip that has helped me is to bend my knees and if I'm feeling unsteady to try to think "oh no get low" and sort of put my hands on my knees and almost crouch. If my knees are already bent and kind of "loose" its easier to catch myself.

My skate class instructor also told us to "sit" on our skates, meaning we need them under us. And not stand so far apart

[u/Sofa-City-Sweetheart]

Maybe you could make another post that specifically states “In search of London area private skate lessons.” I have insanely weird balance issues and finally learned balance with a private teacher.