A Guide to Artistic Figure Skating

Artistic roller skating involves precision and agility and combines the beauty of figure skating and the vibrant energy of roller skating. It may seem to be often overlooked because of the popularity of ice skating. Still, artistic roller skating has its unique challenges and rewards, which make it a fascinating and thrilling sport for both beginners and seasoned skaters. Using specialized gear available at any trusted roller skating equipment retailer is a fun, exciting, and accessible way to express someone’s creativity on wheels. If you are new to this sport, or someone who is just contemplating on starting, this is a guide to artistic roller skating. It will help familiarize you with artistic roller skating and help guide you in your own artistic roller skating journey.

A Guide to Artistic Figure Skating

Just like figure skating, artistic roller skating involves performing dance routines that include jumps, spins, and other complicated moves. Simply put, it is a combination of ballet, gymnastics, and figure skating on wheels. Although it has similarities with figure skating on ice, the challenges experienced by artistic roller skaters are unique. One of the most obvious differences between figure skating and artistic roller skating are the skates. Artistic roller skaters wear quad skates. These skates have two front and two back wheels, which provide stability and control.

Disciplines in Artistic Roller Skating

Figure Skating

Skaters trace patterns or figures on the floor using their skates. To create these figures, control, and precision are key because the goal is to follow these patterns as accurately as they can. These figures can be as simple as circles or as complex as serpentine designs.

Freestyle Skating

Skaters express their creativity through choreographed movements or routines set to music. The choreography often includes spins, jumps, footwork, and dance moves, which require not only technical skills but also artistic expression.

Dance Skating

Skaters dance either solo or in pairs. Dance skating is divided into compulsory dances and free dance. Compulsory dance is when the skaters dance and skate in the same routine. Meanwhile, in free dance, skaters are free to dance and choreograph their own routines.

Pairs Skating

Just like figure skating on ice, artistic pairs roller skating involves a pair of skaters performing synchronized movements. This includes lifts, spins, and jumps. It is essential for both skaters to trust each other completely.

Precision Skating

This is also known as synchronized skating and involves a group of eight or more skaters who perform intricate routines and complex footwork. They must move as one in a flawless synchronized performance.

Choosing the Right Skates

Aside from skills, skaters need the right skates to ensure safety, precision, and balance. Below are a few tips to help you find the right skates.

Quad Skates

Performing spins, jumps, and intricate footwork require a skater’s balance and control. And when it comes to balance and control, quad skates are the perfect skates.

Boots

Choose boots that are made with durable materials like leather. They should fit snugly around your ankle, so high-ankle boots would be great. They will provide the support and stability you need when you jump or spin.

Wheels

Look at the wheels. If you want more control and precision when skating on a smooth indoor surface, choose skates with harder wheels. They will provide more grip. As a rule, your skates’ wheels should be based on the kind of surface you will be skating on.

Toe Stops

When you are skating, you need something to stop and control spins. This is what toe stops are for. Make sure that you maintain them and that they are properly adjusted according to your skating needs.

How to Get Started

Now that you have your gear, it is time to go out and get started.

Find a Skating Rink

Find a skating rink near you that offers skating classes. Rinks usually have experienced instructors who can teach you the basic skills you need and guide you to develop them so that you can progress to the next level.

Take Lessons

If you are serious about learning artistic roller skating, you need to take lessons even if you already know how to roller skate. In artistic roller skating, mastering specific techniques is crucial. You will need to master your balance, posture, and basic movements, and taking beginner lessons will help you achieve this goal.

Practice Regularly

Just like learning any skill, artistic roller skating requires you to have patience, perseverance, and a lot of practice. Practice your basic moves and master them first before moving on to more advanced moves like spins and jumps. Be patient with yourself and trust that practice will eventually help you get to where you want to be.

Join a Club or Team

Being with people who enjoy artistic roller skating will make this activity more fun for you. As a member of a club or team, you will get to practice with others, join events with them, get valuable feedback from people who know about the sport, and get valuable support. 

Benefits of Artistic Figure Skating

• It strengthens muscles
• It improves flexibility
• It promotes heart health
• It acts as a full-body workout
• It reduces stress
• It releases the happy hormones
• It boosts self-confidence
• It provides a venue for creativity and self-expression

Start Your Artistic Figure Skating Journey Today

Artistic figure skating is more than just a sport. It is also a beautiful and exciting way to keep yourself in shape, boost your self-confidence, meet new people, and a venue to express yourself. Whether you are interested in artistic figure skating as a serious sport or you are just looking for a new fun hobby that can bring you many benefits, start your journey by purchasing the right skates. You can even wear unique skates to express your unique personality by getting accessories for roller skates customization. Remember that in artistic roller skating, there’s no better partner than the right skates. They will keep you safe, help you perform your moves perfectly, and allow you to execute your routine with precision and confidence. Explore our skates today. You are bound to find your perfect partner.