QuestionHello my name is Ivan and I抦 from Macedonia. I have just bought 揹erby alpha 1?skates, and I was wondering if you could give me some good instructions about skating backwards and most important stopping (braking). i have been practicing a lot, but I think it would be very helpful to get some pointers about outdoor skating, or where can I find (on web) illustrated explanation (step by step).
Another point. As you already know my skates have 65mm (front) and 70mm (back) wheels. What are the consequences if I buy only 65mm outdoor wheels for front and back?
Knowing the fact that the quad skates in my country are so not popular like inline skates, the biggest problem is spare parts for them. I will highly appreciate if you could tell me where can I buy spare parts (wheels, bearings? in Paris, or some other place in Europe.
Thanks
AnswerHello Ivan,
I rarely get a question that I cannot answer completely - but I have to tell you I never heard of derby alpha 1 skates. Do they have a toe stop? As far as 65mm wheels in the front & 70 mm in the back - I see no advantage in that at all - I would think that 65mm front & back would be more balanced & efficient.
I will be glad to give you a method of skating backwards that is simple & very affective:
Start with your knees bent & all your weight on your left foot, with your right foot at a right angle (perpendicular) to your left & with the right heel just slightly ahead of your left toe. Then roll your right heel backwards on a slight angle to your left foot (I call that "sticking your heel") so that it passes your left foot & all your weight transfers onto the right foot as it passes the left & as soon as it passes, let your left foot "trail" the right foot drawing the left heel on a slight angle directly in front of (but not touching) the right toe. Note: When you "stick" your right heel you come up slightly onto the right foot & when you "trail" the left after it you sit your weight down again on the back (right) foot.
Then "stick your left heel" rolling it backwards on a slight angle to your right foot, transfering all your weight onto the left foot as it passes the right & as soon as it passes, let your right foot "trail" the left foot drawing the right heel on a slight angle directly in front of (but not touching) the left toe & bend with all your weight on the back (left) foot.
Continue in a rhythm - Stick the right heel out on a slight angle away from the left (come slightly up on that foot) roll the left heel in unweighted (to trail the right toe) & sit your weight on the right. Then repeat the action sticking the left & trailing the right.
Keep the rhythm going - Up as you "stick", down as you "trail" - Up as you "stick", down as you "trail". Keep your upper body erect throughout & don't look down - your weight should always be on the back foot.
I know it's not so easy to follow written directions for a physical activity, but if you follow the instructions carefully you should be skating backwards in no time.
Stopping
If you have a toe stop you can use that for your stop or you can practice a "T" stop.
Toe Stop:
1.Feet Parallel, Knees deeply bent, Arms out to the side hands at waist level.
2. Roll forward with all your weight on the left foot- roll far enough that the heel unweighted right foot comes off the ground & the toe stop is brought into conact with the ground.
3.Staying centered over the left foot allow the right toe stop to drag behind you to bring you to a stop
You may then learn "T Stop".
First let us identify the wheels. The inside forward wheel we'll call 'A', the outside forward wheel 'B', inside rear wheel 'C' & the outside rear wheel 'D'. Now learn the "T Stop" in 4 stages:
1.Feet Parallel, Knees deeply bent
2.Position your arms - right arm forward (to square your shoulders to the front to prevent going into a spin) - Left arm to the side for balance (hands waist level, palms down).
3.Roll forward onto your left (the balance) foot with all your weight centered over that foot.
4.The right (braking) foot will then be slightly behind you, tip your right foot very slightly to the 'B' wheel - also called the pinkie toe wheel - & let your foot pivot on the 'B' wheel till the foot is perpendicular to the front foot, drawing the instep towards the heel of the balance foot, leaving a small space between your feet.
5. In that position, remaining totally balanced on the left foot, let the 'B' wheel of the right foot drag lightly at first then gradually add pressure till you come to a full stop.
Using only the 'B' wheel prevents the vibration & bumping that will result if any of the other wheels come in contact with the ground.
If you are left handed, you may prefer to use your right foot as your balance foot & your left foot for braking. In that case your left arm would be forward & your right arm to the side.
As regards the purchase of parts in Paris, I recommend going to the internet & doing a search for roller skate or quad skate sales & supplies. I know that in Paris there are many quad skaters & there must be some outlets there for quad parts. If you contact me
[email protected] I will ask some of my French skating friends for information.
Good luck! I hope this helps.
Roll On!.............Lezly (director Lezly Skate School - estab.1979)
