“SLAPP” An Acronym For Safe, Effective and Fun Outdoor Skating
“S” Skate Smart
- Wear protective gear: use a standardized properly fitted helmet (keep it clipped while on skates), wrist guards, elbow and knee pads,
- Master Outdoor Skate Basic Skills: Learn how to skate on hazardous terrain; i.e., hills, protective falling, slowing and stopping, and turning techniques for managing hazards,
- Know your ability level. Skate within your ability level.
- Keep your equipment in good working order. Check for loose axels prior to each skate. Tighten if loose.
- Begin on flat, smooth, debris and traffic free parking lot, skate rink or gym. Use carpet for and to find balance.
- Take a Lesson. Take a lesson from a qualified skate instructor before you skate the trails, certainly prior to skating any hills.
“L” Skate Legal
- Each local government may have their own set of skate use rules and regulations regarding where you can and cannot skate. Research these rules and skate in designated outdoor skate areas,
- Skate with the flow of traffic. Avoid areas where traffic is heavy.
- When skating on sidewalks or pathways, know local rules of right of way and follow the community rules.
“A” Skate Aware
- Skate in control; be able to slow or stop anywhere at any speed,
- Watch for road hazards,
- Avoid water, oil, uneven broken pavement, paint, soft tar “snakes”, leaves, twigs that could cause a fall,
- Avoid hills if you are unable to slow or stop. Use grass or remove skates and walk the hill.
“P” Skate Polite
- When turning, signal your direction with hand signals and announce your intentions. For example, loudly state, “passing on your left” or “passing on your right” prior to merging,
- Be aware of other trail users and always be courteous,
- When stopping on a trail, ensure no one is behind you and step out of the flow of traffic. Standing out of the flow of traffic will protect you and other trail users,
- Watch for pedestrians, bicyclists and other skaters. As skaters, we have the responsibility for not colliding with the person ahead.
“P” Skate Prepared
- Skate with skate tools provided by your skate manufacturer,
- Skate with friends and/ or identification,
- Skate with water or other liquids to replenish fluids/electrolytes. Know if water source is available on the recreational trail you use,
- Skate trails you know you can manage. To know if you can manage a specific trail take a professional outdoor inline and / or roller skate lesson. You may also benefit from viewing our trail reviews.
For more on local trails click here.
For the world’s first (and best) trail skate class click here:
For the world’s first skateFITness class on trails click here: