best inline skates for beginners

Question
QUESTION: Hi Pat,

I have a 6 years old son he is quite good in roller skating and he is under training with a best couch.now his couch recommend him to go for inline skates so please write me what kind of inline skates are best for him.i went through the sites and there were many different varieties so i am bit confused.i want under $100.& after learning him can my daughter, who is 4&1/2 years now,use these skates? or there is different skates for girls?

Thanks
Abha

ANSWER: Hi Abha,
  If your son is already training the with a good coach, your best bet is to ask the coach what inline skate he/she wants your son to skate in.  My recommendation may not be the same as what the coach would prefer.

  As for your daughter wearing your sons inlines when he's done with them?  Absolutely she can.  Inlines skates are not gender specific so yes, she can use them also.

  Good Luck
      Pat

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Pat,
thanks a lot for your advice.
Actually my son's couch is asking 650$ for the inline skates .he wants to sell the skates and i am bit confuse ,is it a right price for the skates?
i can't spend so much money so please send me the specification & description of best skates for him please.

Thanks
Abha

ANSWER: Because I don't know much about your sons skating level and what his goals are I can't recommend a skate.   
Things you need answers to are:  
1)  Is your son planning on competing in either roller skates or inlines?
2)  Why is your son's coach having him switch to inlines if he's doing well in quad skates?
3)  Does your son even want to learn to skate on inlines?

If your son is only learning to skate for his own recreational purposes, then a good skate, whether it be inlines or quads, is not necessary.  If he plans to compete, then he would need a better skate but at this point, certainly not a skate that costs $650.  

Because he learned on quads and his coach now wants him to learn on inlines, ask the coach why?

Remember....you pay the coach, you are the boss!  Just because the coach has a pair of inlines he wants to sell, doesn't mean that you have to buy them.

If you want your son to learn on inlines also, then tell the coach what your budget is and ask him to recommend a skate that's under $100.  There are plenty of skates to choose from.

How advanced is your son's skating and how long has he taken private lessons from this coach?  What does he do on skates?  Forward, backward, jumps, spins, 3-turns on one foot?  Tell me more so I can tell what skill level he's at.

If he's not advanced enough to turn backward and skate backward like it's second nature to him, then I would suggest you have him try the rental inlines skates, just to see if it's something he likes before you invest any money into skates.  

Always remember, the coach works for you!  I'll wait for your reply.

Pat

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Pat,

Once again thanks a lot.
my son has done his basics now his coach has put him in the speed skating advance level.I don't know much about skating so what his coach tells we have to listen.my son is only 6 years old so he is too small to take decisons he doesn't know wheather he should go for competetions or not but no doubt he is very good in skating & his coach selected him for advance level among 20 kids.his coach switched him to inlines because he thinks that he can do better skating with inlines in advance level.My son also wants to learn with inline skates.i asked the coach that i want it under $100 but he was telling that cheaper value skates are not a good quality skates
they will trouble the skater.My son has taken 4 months training from this coach.And he has learnt only basics yet.he can forward & little jump on his quads thats it.I am not able to find rentel inlines skates here .I need your help please give me right & honest advice & tell me what kind of inlines is best for him please reply me as soon as possible.

Thanks a lot for your efforts.

Abha

Answer
I now have a better understanding of your sons ability and where his coach is leading him.  I didn't realize your son was working with a group of skaters who are training to hopefully join a competitive speed team.  

This is why the coach recommended such expensive skates.  Yes, it's true that cheaper value skates are not quality skates for what a speed skater needs to achieve his full potential.

I would explain to the coach that because your son is still learning and it make take him a while to actually become competitive enough to join the speed team, that you are willing to buy him better skates but at this point you do not want to spend $650.  

You will definitely have to spend more than $100 on a pair of skates but ask the coach what other skates he could recommend for now.  Then tell him that later, when your son is ready,you will upgrade to a better skate if necessary.

There are plenty of different skates and prices that are available and your coach knows it. I would imagine he has a catalog at the rink that you both can look at.  Be firm and if the coach really wants your son to learn on inlines, he will find him another suitable skate.  Wheels and bearings can always be upgraded without having to buy an entire skate too.

Speed skaters need better inline skates because they need the most efficient roll they can get in order to win a race.  A less expensive skate will not roll as well, causing the skater to work far too hard and skate slower.  So be prepared to spend more but I'm sure you and the coach can come to a mutual agreement.

Pat