This week's tip:

Cold Weather Skating

How to keep inline skating when it's cold outside
 

By Kathy McSparran

Bears aren't the only creatures that hiberate in the winter. So do lots of skaters.

But don't let the cold air dampen your enthusiasm for skating.

Follow these winter skating strategies and you'll roll into spring looking and feeling great.

Layer it on.

A little extra gear will keep you warm even on the coldest days. Wear layers on your chest. Start with an extra jersey. If that's not enough, add a wool sweater.

Protect your extremities.

When skating in the cold, the hands and ears are usually the first body parts to start complaining. But they'll be fine with a little protection.

Buy a thin pair of gloves to wear under your wrist guards. And use a headband or earmuffs under your helmet.

The movement of skating is usually enough to keep your legs warm. But on really cold days, you may want to wear leggings.

Be ready to go.

The days are short in the fall and winter and the weather is lousy. So you have to be ready to skate whenever the chance arises.

Keep your skate bag — fully packed — in the trunk of your car. That way you'll be ready to go at a moments notice.

You might even skate during your lunch break at work. Just pack a moist towelette and give yourself a little sponge bath before you head back into the office.

Be flexible.

If the weather is un-skateable — if your roads and trails are covered with ice and snow — find something else to do.

Visit an ice rink. If you can inline skate, you can ice skate, even if you will be challenged by the amazing glide of your blades on the ice.

Another option is to go to a roller rink. There are hundreds of them scattered all over North America.

Attend a public session to get the feel of the rink. Usually public sessions are crowded with all manner of skaters, most of them on quad roller skates.

If you are after more of a workout, find out if the rink is the home to a speed team. If it is, consider joining. There is no better way to get in shape while improving your skating skills.

Take a skate vacation.

If you can't wait until spring, pack your skates and head somewhere warm.

You'll find warm weather skating all year in such places as Florida, Southern California or Thailand.

If you don't want to worry about vacation planning, book a skate vacation with Zephyr Adventures or Eddy Matzger's Skate Farm.

Whatever you do, don't give up on skating. It's a great way to keep away the winter blues.

 

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Kathy McSparran is former director of the Phoenix Inline skate school. She holds five IISA teaching certifications: Level 1 (Beginners & Advanced Beginners), Level 2 (Intermediates & Advanced Intermediates), BladeFitnessTM, Freestyle Dance and Fitness Inline Trainer. She lives in Buckeye, AZ, and has recently started a jewelry business.

• Kathy's Skate Coach archive.

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