Roller bladding lessons

Question
Hi Pat
I have been trying to find a beginers roller bladding class in my area, and I'm finding it hard to find. I live in Auburn CA, and I always wanted to learn how. I have recently gained about 80lbs, and need to get motivated to exercise again. When I was younger I bought a pair of roller blades and loved it, but I couldn't seem to teach myself how to stop, I had to crash into a tree, before I headed into a busy street.

Answer
Hi Sheryl,
   I can't tell you which specific rinks offer classes but most of the rinks do.  They may not state that they are
specifically for roller blades but they do teach it along with their regular roller skating classes.  The basics are all the same so the class will be mixed with inline skates and quad skates.

   Check around at the various local rinks.  Most rinks have classes on Saturday morning which is a mixture of kids and adults and some have strictly adult classes.

   As for stopping on roller blades?  Put your feet together and just coast.  Bend both knees then send the skate that has the brake on it forward while gently lifting the front end of the skate.  This will cause the brake to grip the ground gradually and slow you down.  

   Just make sure that you send the skate forward and not try to stop with the skate next to your other skate.

   Good Luck in finding a class.  Perhaps you can search on the internet for the local rinks.  Most web sites list their classes and activities.  It's great exercise and well worth the effort of seeking out a rink.

   If I can help any further.......please let me know.
Pat