Everyone can learn to skate – you just need the right gear. I often noticed that some of my students were failing to make any progress and kept falling over. I eventually realised that this was because the parents did not know how to choose roller skates for kids. Therefore they were wearing poor quality skates that were too loose around the legs or had wheels which didn’t turn properly. As a result, some of them lost interest and stopped coming to classes.
When choosing a pair of roller skates, in addition to your child’s sex, age, shoe size and weight, it’s also important to look at the different parts, including the shell, liner, fastening method, rocker frame, wheels and bearings. Each part has a different purpose and is available in a wide range of materials and designs.
Shell
Must be sturdy, impact-resistant, comfortable and not susceptible to damage.
Liner
Should be made from a thick, breathable and flexible material. Usually either integrated or removable.
Fastening method
Most important is that the skates are in contact with your feet! Common fastening methods include a buckle, hook-and-loop fasteners and laces.
Rocker frame
Runs along the bottom of the shoe, usually made from plastic or aluminium alloy. Plastic is more lightweight but less sturdy than aluminium.
Wheels
Made from polyurethane, vary in terms of hardness, size and elasticity.
Bearings
Available in different standards from ABEC 1 to ABEC7. Bearings with a higher standard spin faster.
With over 20 years of skating experience, Angelina represented Hong Kong at speed skating competitions for 11 years and was Hong Kong’s fastest female speed skater for 6 consecutive years. Her best performances include 5th place in the 500 m short track race at the Asian Speed Skating Championships, and runner up in the 5000 m elimination race at the China National Speed Skating Championships. After retirement, she obtained a coaching license and became a referee for international speed skating competitions. She has also founded a speed skating school in Hong Kong, which aims to encourage more children to take up speed skating.
