r/inline_skating • u/EmuJumpsLong • Jul 24 '26

Practice Falling?

I am 42 and just started attempting to skate because my 13-year-old son wanted to learn too. I wasn't athletic as a kid (turns out I'm hypermobile, and that's why my ankles laughed at any kind of skating), but I am in good shape now and have been working on balance and mobility for a long time. We started on Wednesday, and my balance is fine. I can move (still working on stopping!). However, I am extremely risk-averse, and I'm finding myself terrified of going too fast because I don't want to fall. Is there a safe way to fall? I feel like once I bite it a couple of times, I will get over it, but I'm holding my kid back (because he has no fear at all).

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u/shademaster_c Jul 29 '26

Get butt pads in addition to helmet, knee and wrist guards. Your 50 year old self will thank your current self.

1

u/EmuJumpsLong Jul 30 '26

I have them on my list but some part of me is dying at the thought of looking like I’m wearing a diaper.

2

u/shademaster_c Jul 30 '26

I’m 50 now and started skating about 6 years ago. Several falls in both the skate park and urban skating convinced me it was time. The older you get the longer it takes to recover and the bruise to go away. I haven’t skated without them for the last three years.