Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Do you provide skating lessons?
A1. Yes, we have three skating lessons available
for download in PDF format. Lesson #1 For Beginners Only is for novice
skaters, while Lessons #2 and #3 dubbed Intermediate Trail Skating and Advanced
Trail Skating are geared for intermediate and advanced recreational inline
skaters, respectively.
Q2. How are your skating lessons structured?
A2. Our skating series is designed to take the
novice inline skater from the schoolyard to the trails within a single season.
To reach this goal, the lessons are set up in a progression so the student gets
comfortable with the basic maneuvers in lesson #1 before moving on to the
more advanced material in lesson #2, and so on.
In addition, the student is free to advance at his or her own pace,
but it's recommended that he or she only moves on after mastering
the maneuvers in a particular lesson, which often entails a certain amount
of practice and mileage. In this way, the student builds the correct foundation
right from the start in lesson #1 and adds the more advanced skills on top as he or she
progresses from lesson #2 to #3.
To further this end, all lessons contain ample photos and drawings to illustrate the
written instructions. Moreover, all skating maneuvers, procedures, and drills
are written in clear and concise steps with feedback, where necessary, for ease
of use and student retention.
Q3. I see you also have modules for sale! What exactly is a module?
A3. A module is a group of two or three lessons packaged together
according to a theme. For instance, the Maintenance Module consists of two
maintenance lessons, namely Lesson #1 Basic Maintenance and Lesson #2 Advanced Maintenance.
In this way, those skaters who want a complete coverage of the subject matter in one
publication can get it with a module. On the other hand, some skaters may
be knowledgeable about the topic at the beginner level, and now need instructions
at the advanced level. In this case, the skater should purchase an individual lesson,
such as Lesson #2 Advanced Maintenance above.
Q4. What does your Maintenance Module contain?
A4. The Skate Maintenance module consists of two lessons, namely,
Lesson #1 Basic Maintenance and Lesson #2 Advanced Maintenance. Lesson #1
explains what to inspect, clean, and adjust on a weekly and monthly basis,
while lesson #2 delves much deeper into the wheel, bearing, and brake maintenance
that needs be done on an annual basis to keep your skates in top running condition.
Q5. What are your Trail Guides all about?
A5. Each guide contains directions for getting
to the starting point of the trail, details about the trail including length
and width, landmarks along the way, and a trail map. In addition, each guide
has an overall ranking, as well as a degree of difficulty ranking. The rationale
behind the rankings are also provided.
Q6. Will you be providing guides for trails in other
provinces, and/or states in the future?
A6. Yes, first we'll publish individual guides for the
top five trails in Ontario, and then put them all together into an Ontario Trail
Module. After that we'll look at Quebec, and then the states
of New York and Vermont.
Q7. What is your newsletter On The Trail all about?
A7. On The Trail is our free newsletter that's published
every two weeks between June and October. The ezine is theme-based and deals with
conditions and/or hazards that inline skaters may encounter on the trails.
The newsletter is short, but informative, and consists of an Editor's Note,
a Tip related to the theme, and a Tactic that the skater can use when
he or she confronts a condition or hazard on the trail.
Q8. What is the difference between inline skating and rollerblading?
A8. Inline skating is the official term for the sport
and is synonymous with rollerblading. The commonly misused term of rollerblading
is due to the company Rollerblade, which manufactures inline skates. This lead to
the generic use of of the term rollerblade to stand for all inline skates, even those
made by other companies. This is similar to the use of the brand names like
xerox and kleenex.
Q9. What exactly is trail skating?
A9. Skating on trails is all about rolling on marked, in-bound paved paths
that can be found inside parks, on waterfronts, and even in
preserves and/or sanctuaries. Sometimes, the skater needs to do some
street skating to get from one part of the trail to the next because not
all trails are continuous. Trail skating is best for the recreational, inline
skater who wants to get fit from rolling longer distances and have fun at the
same time in a safe, controlled environment away from crowds and noise.
Q10. Does the Inline Skating Center stress the fitness aspect of inline skating?
A10. Yes, definitely! Our approach is to build strength and endurance with a
series of thirty-seven, high-energy workouts over a four-month period. To further this end,
the rolls are held twice a week, and every week throughout the summer, including long
weekends. So, we provide a fitness element via the number and continuity of the rolls, as
well as by the distance of our Sunday rolls, each of which is now 30+ kilometres in length.
In addition, we encourage sprinting, where appropriate, on flat, straight stretches.
Q11. Do you provide information on your site for racers?
A11. No, we leave this to other groups who promote and participate
in speed skating on a regular basis. They know this subject much better then we do!
Q12. Do you provide information on your site for marathoners?
A12. No, we leave this to other bodies who promote and participate
in marathons on a regular basis. They know this subject well! Check out our Links Directory
and Link Partners pages for the links to affiliations who deal exclusively with
marathon skating and events. We have a marathon category in both the Links Directory and
in the Link Partners listings.
Q13. Do you provide information on your site for street skaters?
A13. No, we provide information, lessons, modules, and
guides for recreational, inline skaters who roll on trails. We leave skating on streets to
the tricksters and others, who know this subject and have the necessary
experience with street skating.
In addition, it's the Inline Skating Center's belief
that streets are not inherently safe for skaters. Promoting this type of
skating would go against the grain of what the site stands for, which is
skating in safe, controlled environments such as on marked trails!
Q14. I want to buy one of your lessons, and perhaps a module? Can
I pay for it in Canadian dollars?
A14. Yes, when you fill out the order form with our payment processor,
you are asked during the secure credit card transaction if you want to pay in
US or Canadian funds. All you have to do is select the Canadian currency option.
Q15. I'm looking for an all encompassing book on the subject of inline skating?
Will you have such a book available either online or in print in the future?
A15. Yes, in May we're planning on publishing an
e-book entitled The Inline Skaters Handbook, which will be available for digital download
from our site in PDF format. If all goes well with the online book, we'll then consider
doing a print run for those who wish to have the hardcopy edition.
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