Is it possible to rollerblade in the rain? In this blog post, I’ve outlined everything you need to know about rollerblading in the rain. This is one you won’t want to miss, so read on!
Is it possible to rollerblade in the rain? Obviously, yes! However, rollerblading in the rain can be dangerous because of the slippery surface.
Moreover, skating in the rain damages your inline skating shoes’ bearings, making you more vulnerable. In other words, it’s important to be careful when skating in the rain.
The following tips will help you stay safe when skating in the rain.
But it’s only a scratch on the surface. I will go into details about why rollerblading in the rain is risky and how to stay safe in the rest of this guide. Without further ado, let’s begin!
Here are some reasons why rollerblading in the rain can be dangerous
There are times when rollerblading in the rain isn’t an option, especially if you have to rollerblade to work. If this is the case, all you need to do is protect yourself from the dangers associated with rollerblading. So let’s briefly explain why rollerblading in the rain can be dangerous.
1. Stride in skating
In wet conditions, it’s much harder to create propulsion (i.e. the ‘push’ forward). When pushing out to the side, you might find yourself in an unwanted slide (especially on inlines), which can throw you off balance and lead to a fall.
In the wet, pronation becomes a critical issue for many inline skaters. As soon as the pushing skate regroups in the center, it must be placed on an upright, center edge, which is the only safe place to glide when it is wet.
Since an upright wheel cannot slide, skating on its center edges is a challenge.
2. Surfaces that are wet and slippery
Most skaters skate on asphalt roads. However, even in an unused parking lot, the surface is usually asphalt since only a few parking spaces use concrete or cobblestones.
The downside to asphalt surfaces is that they are more slippery when wet. In addition, your wheels will slide while you skate, making it difficult for you to maintain your balance. As a result, we are all likely to fall when skating on wet surfaces.
3. Stopping
As with any form of moving transport, stopping distances are much longer in the wet floor, which is why skating in damp conditions can be dangerous. In wet conditions, stopping distances can be as much as three times longer (from the same speeds).
If you’re skating in the rain, not all stopping methods work.
When skating in wet conditions, the best stopping methods are those that already require sliding, such as:
- T-Stop
- Powerslide
- Soul Slide.
The slides will slide much further before actually stopping you, so you must ensure that you are completely balanced.
4. It is impossible to avoid falling
There is no way to avoid falling while skating, whether the surface is dry or wet. However, During a downpour or in the rain, you tend to fall more easily because of the wet surface.
Therefore, if you don’t know how to fall without hurting yourself, you may suffer more than one injury. A slip and fall caused by a slippery surface can lead to head injuries, broken wrists, ankles, and tailbones. When the fall is severe, the pain is often unbearable.
5. Your bearings get damaged when skating in the rain, which puts you at risk
The metal bearings in your rollerblades rust when they are exposed to water. Wheels and bearings become stuck when rust accumulates, making them difficult to rotate smoothly.
Furthermore, this may loosen the bearings and wheels, putting you at higher risk of them coming out. The result can be disastrous, especially when rollerblading at high speeds.
In addition to damaging the bearings, rollerblading in the rain damage the inline skate shoe fabric. This is more likely to happen if your skates are not hard boots. In the long run, you may need to get new rollerblades if you skate frequently in the rain.
Video on How to rollerblading under the rain
Safety Tips When Rollerblading in the Rain
There must be a way to protect yourself from falling when skating in the rain is inevitable. Ofcause, You can keep safe when rollerblading in the rain by doing several things. There are:
1. Skaters should always maintain a low position while skating
In rollerblading, staying low is a great way to achieve stability, balance, and control. When skating on a wet, slippery surface, balance and stability are reduced, resulting in falls.
If you bend correctly, you should be able to distribute your body weight evenly throughout your body. When skating, you should place your knees over your toes and your shoulders above your hips. As a result, your body weight is transferred to your footballs.
It is best to learn this skill before rollerblading in the rain if you have yet to master it. Additionally, it can be uncomfortable at first, but trust me, it’s worth it.
2. Make sure the road or pavement is free of pools of water
Water on the roads and pavements poses a lot of risk to skaters. The surface is often only a fraction of what lies beneath. There is a possibility that the pool of water you see is actually a huge pothole that can damage your skates and break your feet. Hence, avoiding skates in water pools is the best way to stay protected.
3. Make sure you wear protective gear when skating
When skating on wet or slippery surfaces, wearing protective gear goes a long way to protect your body. Rollerblading equipment includes a helmet, elbow pads, wrist guards, and knee pads.
You may also need shin guards, hip pads, and eyeglasses. Although they may not be entirely necessary, it’s no harm to have them anyway.
To complete your list of protective equipment, don’t forget elbow pads, wrist guards, and gloves, to protect your wrists, palms, and fingers, and knee pads to prevent bruises on your knees if you fall.
4. You should use special rain wheels
Skating in the rain requires different types of wheels. It is especially important to avoid hard wheels that are 85A and above because they offer little grip on wet and slippery surfaces. Rather, you should use soft 70A wheels.
When skating in the rain, it is helpful to have two sets of wheels that can be alternated when necessary. If you’re rollerblading in the rain, you can remove your hard wheels and replace them with soft ones every time you’re out.
5. Keep your pushes and glides short
When rollerblading on wet surfaces, you should also avoid long pushes and glides. I believe it is more important to reach your destination healthy than injured. As such, small steps go a long way until you reach your destination. Good news is, if you have these special rain wheels, you won’t have to worry about long pushing and gliding sessions.
6. Keep your speed low and avoid tricks
Keeping your speed low is important, as skating too fast can be disastrous. Additionally, skating on wet surfaces should be avoided unless you are a professional skater. Keep your skating simple and focus on getting to your destination safely. Follow these advise and you’ll be glad you did!
7. Clean and Store your Skates in a Cool and Dry Place after Rollerblading
Finally, always store your rollerblades in a cool, dry place after skating. If dirt is stuck between the wheels and the bearings, it’s recommended to clean them with some warm water. Afterward, dry your skates with a towel before lubricating them. Finally, make sure they are stored in a cool and dry area to prevent the bearings from rusting.
So, Is it possible to rollerblade in the rain?
Is it possible to rollerblade in the rain? The answer is absolutely yes.
However, you should have special rain wheels and protective gear for rollerblading, skate at low speed, avoid long pushes and glides, stay in a bent position, avoid pools of water on the road, and store your skates in a cool, dry place to prevent rusting.
