Roller Skating Quick Start Guide

Author: Fu Jinxue / et al.
Editor-in-Chief: Dong Xiaodai
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1998-04-01
Features:
Segment: Introduction to Roller Skating
Roller skating, originally known as "" (ice skating on land) in China, is also referred to as "" (four-wheel ice skating). It encompasses three major competitive disciplines: speed skating, figure skating on wheels, and roller hockey. These disciplines all use roller skates with four wheels as the primary tool, with ground skating as the foundation, hence the name "roller skating." Roller skating is a historically significant and international sport. It was born in the 18th century when a Dutch ice skating enthusiast invented the first roller skates to enable ice skating in the summer. Over time, the skates were modified by people in Europe and America, leading to the development and popularization of this sport, which gradually evolved into three competitive disciplines. In 1924, representatives from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Switzerland established the International Roller Skating Federation in Montreux, Switzerland, marking the beginning of international competitions in various disciplines. Currently, the world championships held regularly include: speed skating (odd-numbered years for the indoor world speed skating championships, even-numbered years for the road world speed skating championships), roller hockey (odd-numbered years for the A-group world championships, even-numbered years for the B-group world championships), and figure skating on wheels (an annual world championships). Since 1995, the world championships for inline roller hockey have been held. Roller skating was introduced to China around the early 1930s. For many years, it was only practiced in large coastal cities as a recreational activity. In 1980, the China Roller Skating Association was established and joined the International Roller Skating Federation, marking the beginning of a period of vigorous development for roller skating in China. Today, roller skating rinks or indoor roller skating halls have been built in most cities across the country, with tens of thousands of participants. Annual national roller skating competitions are now held, and teams are sent to participate in Asian roller skating championships, sometimes even in world (single-discipline competitions). This has led to a rapid improvement in the technical level of roller skating in China, which is now among the top in Asia. Roller skating combines competitiveness, artistic expression, playfulness, and fitness. Speed skating requires athletes to complete a specified distance in the shortest time, demanding high skating speed, perseverance, and a spirit of perseverance. Roller hockey is a combination of ball-playing and roller skating, with victory determined by the number of goals scored. It is intense, thrilling, and highly competitive, with athletes skating quickly, flexibly, and variably on the field, requiring good explosive power, physical agility, a brave and tenacious spirit, and a sense of collectivism. Figure skating on wheels involves athletes performing complex and beautiful skating curves and patterns, executing various jumps, spins, and diverse steps with elegant postures, accompanied by music, to provide aesthetic enjoyment. Currently, in foreign countries, roller skating athletes perform various high-difficulty, thrilling, and exciting routines on large U-shaped pools, adding new dimensions to roller skating.